Table of contents
Key takeaways
- A risk register lists every significant risk, rates each by likelihood and impact, and assigns someone to manage it
- Indian clubs face specific risks: monsoon disruption, extreme heat, facility sharing conflicts, regulatory compliance with the Societies Act, and POCSO obligations
- Monsoon planning is non-negotiable - your register should include documented protocols for waterlogged grounds, flash flooding, and season disruption
- Start with 10-15 risks across five categories: safeguarding, financial, facility, operational, and reputational
A scored risk register for your club, in 90 seconds.
23 risks filtered to your actual activities, each with likelihood, impact, suggested treatment, and an accountable owner.
The secretary of a football club in Kolkata had been warning the committee about the drainage on their practice ground since February. When the monsoon arrived in June, the ground was waterlogged for six consecutive weeks. Training moved to a cramped indoor hall at twice the cost. Three families cancelled their memberships because the indoor venue was too far away. Nobody had documented the drainage risk, budgeted for an alternative venue, or communicated a contingency plan to members.
That's a risk register failure. The risk was known. It just wasn't written down, rated, assigned, or managed. For the broader governance context, see our club development framework for Indian clubs.
Risks specific to Indian sports clubs
Weather and climate
- Monsoon disruption: waterlogged grounds, cancelled sessions, reduced season length
- Extreme summer heat: heat stroke risk, modified schedules, participant drop-off
- Air quality: particularly in northern India during winter (stubble burning season)
Facility
- Municipal ground allocation changes or political interference in facility access
- Shared facility conflicts with other user groups
- Equipment damage from weather or inadequate storage
Financial
- Registration fees don't cover facility costs (especially if renting private grounds)
- Treasurer changes and nobody else understands the accounts
- State sports department grants delayed or reduced
Safeguarding
- POCSO obligations not met - inadequate screening, supervision gaps
- A complaint received with no documented procedure
Operational
- Key volunteer or coach relocates or retires, taking institutional knowledge
- NSF or state association changes affiliation requirements
- Insurance coverage gaps
Build the register in a 90-minute committee meeting. Rate each risk. Assign owners. Review high-priority risks at every meeting. TidyHQ helps with the data side - member records and compliance tracking stay with the club, not with individuals.
Frequently asked questions
Is a risk register legally required?
Not explicitly. But managing committee members of registered societies have a duty of care. Documenting risk management demonstrates responsible governance.
References
- Sports Authority of India - National sport safety and governance frameworks
- India Meteorological Department - Monsoon forecasting and weather advisories
- Khelo India - Grassroots sport development and facility standards
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports - National sport policy and governance
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights - Child safeguarding standards
A scored risk register for your club, in 90 seconds.
23 risks filtered to your actual activities, each with likelihood, impact, suggested treatment, and an accountable owner.
Header image: Interior view by Judith Rothschild, via Art Institute of Chicago
Don't miss these
The Chapter Banking Problem: Why Volunteer Turnover Creates Financial Risk
When the treasurer leaves, so does access to the bank account. The signatory change process takes weeks. In the gap, the chapter can't pay bills, collect dues, or operate.
Centralised vs Federated vs Hybrid: Which Chapter Model Is Right for Your Organisation?
Three governance models for chapter networks. Each has trade-offs in control, autonomy, data quality, and scalability. Here's how to choose.
How to Run a Chapter Officer Handover That Doesn't Lose Institutional Knowledge
A practical checklist for outgoing and incoming officers. Cover these items in a single handover meeting and the new officer starts productive, not lost.