Why is it important to have strong branding for school sports teams and events? Research shows that school sports participation is linked with positive well-being and is a predictor of mental strength and self-belief. Below we’ve highlighted some other important motives for sports branding for schools and its impact on student and community involvement. We have also provided some practical tips schools should follow to help achieve consistent and professional branding.
Promote sports teams and get involved in sports/fitness
Effective sports branding will encourage students to join sports teams, whether they already have established skills or they are simply looking to try a new sport for the first time. Schools need to encourage students to participate in sports clubs to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Participation in sports also provides students with valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline, and time management.
Promote events
It is essential to promote and brand your sports events, such as tournaments or sports days, to ensure students, staff and parents are informed. This allows those who wish to participate the opportunity to come along and play. Additionally, those who wish to spectate will have the details of when and where the event is taking place.
Some events will require fundraising, either to throw the event or to raise money for charity. Branding and promotion will help to get the word out there and encourage donations so an incredible event can be thrown.
Promoting sports events will bring together not only the current school community, but also alumni, parents, and residents. This strengthens the bond between the school and its surrounding community, creating a supportive network for students.
Encourage school pride
School pride is a great motivator and morale booster. Strong branding will help to instil a sense of pride among students. It will strengthen the school’s identity and help to create a positive atmosphere where students feel a part of something larger than themselves. This will also increase competition and make sporting events more fun and exciting. Studies show that students who felt school pride performed better academically, were involved in more school activities, and had higher self-esteem. Collective pride strengthens the school’s reputation and leads to greater opportunities and an impression of excellence.
Celebrate past success
It is important to celebrate past sports achievements to inspire current and future students. When students see that their peers have achieved success, it motivates them to strive for similar accomplishments, both in sports and other areas of life. Sports achievements are part of a school’s history and tradition and honouring these milestones helps preserve the school’s legacy.
Professional impression
Cohesive branding for sports teams or events helps to establish a professional school identity. When consistent colours, logos, and other design elements are used, it creates visual coherence that reinforces the school’s identity. This conveys to students, families and visitors that the school takes pride in their sports and fitness values. It also enhances their confidence in the school’s ability to nurture and support their children’s development, not just academically but in extracurricular activities.
For away team visitors, cohesive branding signals that they are entering a well-established and respected institution, fostering a sense of respect and competitiveness.
What should you consider in your branding?
Consistent brand theme
Keep your branding consistent by using a pattern in your communication. In best practice, this means:
- Using your school logo and colours appropriately and prominently
- Incorporating simple, clear and easy-to-read fonts
- Keeping the same tone of language throughout messaging
Brand consistency ensures your school is memorable and recognisable. It also makes developing new graphics for displays efficient as you will be translating the same design elements across.
Are you going to have a sports team logo/mascot?
Many schools choose to have logos or mascots for their student sports teams or clubs. This is a great idea as it helps create an identity for each team. This logo can be used throughout branding to make displays recognisable and exciting.
If you’d like to create a logo for a sports team you can make it into a fun and interactive competition and ask students to come up with a logo design. The final logo can be chosen using a voting system and could incorporate multiple students’ designs.
Which types of displays are effective for sports branding?
You will need to consider which type of display solution is most appropriate for the message, as well as the school’s budget and desired location. Banners, posters and literature stands are the most affordable solutions. Whereas, digital signage and feather flags pack an impressive punch. Below are a list of great display solutions for school sports branding:
Effective sports branding not only promotes school pride but also encourages student participation, strengthens community ties, and enhances the school’s reputation. By strategically promoting sports teams, events, and past achievements, schools can foster a supportive and active community. Whether you’re looking to inspire students to join sports clubs, celebrate past successes, or create a lasting impression on visitors, cohesive branding is key to achieving these goals.
