Almost everywhere with almost every sport, recruiting new players is done by volunteers. Either that, or a child goes to play the same sport that their parents, friends, or older siblings play.

 

For a sport with a small player base, that is no way to grow. You need a proper plan, based on what makes your sport special and attractive, and you need to stick to your mission.

 

That is where Mixx started, administered by the regional korfball body.

 

Employing full time professionals to carry out several of the activities undertaken by the organisation highlighted a previously unforeseen issue, which when understood, is revealed as a major limitation on korfball development: throughout its history and almost entirely outside the Netherlands, korfball is run by volunteers. While this has been the model for what has been achieved in korfball in the past, it is now holding the sport back.

 

In korfball, as in any similar sports or community organisations, how many times do we say ‘we need to be more professional’? We know we have plenty of motivation, will, and commitment to raise the level of our sport, so what do we mean by ‘professional?’ Usually when that phrase is used it means bringing high level skills, attitude and sound processes to the projects the organisation wants to put in place.

 

We conveniently ignore the most important requirement of a professional: he or she will be paid. With payment comes accountability. Without payment, if you are active as a volunteer, there is no accountability. “But you didn’t do what you said you would do to make sure this project would succeed.” “You agreed to do this two months ago, when it was already really urgent and essential for progress.” “Although you have done half the job really well, it is overdue and incomplete.”

 

For a professional, someone being paid for his or her service or employment, these conversations are relatively easy, and there are no excuses: if the job is not done, or is done unsatisfactorily, the client or employer has a way to insist that is put right. For a volunteer, there will always be an excuse, and because we rely on goodwill to keep the organisation going, that excuse will invariably be accepted: “My mother is unwell and I needed to care for her, therefore I haven’t had time to prepare those minutes.” “I have a new boss who needs me to work extra shifts, so I haven't been able to check and pay the accounts.” “I had to take my daughter to her ballet exam, so I have not been able to prepare the fliers and book the venue for the next competition.”

 

When you are a professional, too many of those excuses and you lose your job. When you are a business, it’s even worse: you lose your clients, they tell their friends and pretty soon you don’t have an income any longer.

 

Think about getting in a plumber to sort your drains, or a mechanic to repair your car. How about a physiotherapist to sort out that niggle in your back? When they are competent, committed and doing a job within their capability, volunteers are the best. At other times, which is more or less always, you are better off with a professional. Why would setting up and running a sporting organisation be any different? Volunteers are generally the go to in sports and community organisations because ‘this is how we’ve always done it’ … and because of money of course, or rather lack of it.

 

When you can work out how to pay professionals to do whatever needs to be done, another even more exciting opportunity will eventually arise: the opportunity to turn a passion into a career.

 

Slightly more than 100 years ago, aviation and film were new and mainly done as a hobby. Now they are both multi-billion dollar global industries that provide careers and business opportunities for multitudes. IT has followed a similar trajectory in a shorter time.

 

When I was in my teens and early 20s theatre was my main interest, much more than sport. I auditioned for and acted in plays whenever possible, and most of my university study was based around drama. Making a career in the theatre was my great dream. If I had more basic talent, more persistence, or better planning ability, that might have happened. However, I probably wasn’t good enough, or brave enough, and at that time I certainly wasn’t focused enough to make that dream come true, so my life took a different path.

 

Looking back, being involved in theatre gave me many of the same things that I see korfball gives to the young people in our community: close friendships and love, self-expression, self-confidence, a sense of purpose: an easily joined inclusive community where people from different genders, backgrounds and generations work closely together to achieve worthwhile goals.

 

During that ‘theatre’ time of my life I had plenty of friends and acquaintances who since then have turned the passion we all shared into a career, including some at the highest levels, as well as others who created theatre-related businesses that became their life’s work. Some became drama teachers, helping young people to develop skills that are much more highly valued now than they were when I was at school.

 

What Mixx is doing for and within korfball is fundamentally the same process: we have already created a platform that has enabled our two executive directors, Youri Borrink and Torsten Ball, to turn their passion for korfball into a career and a business. We have employed others, and are set to do considerably more of that in the future. Based on our rate of growth, we are confident that we can use korfball as the basis for many other careers, and maybe also businesses. While there are no guarantees, the young people within the current Mixx community are likely to be the first to take those opportunities.

 

That goal, enabling people to achieve their potential, is at the heart of Mixx. We are excited to see how it develops.