How to Run a Sports Tournament

Golf, tennis and swimming are popular tournament sports--whether their goal is to raise money for charities, attract serious contenders or just have fun. If you've been crowned the tournament director, key tasks will be to secure the venue, set the budget, organize a simple sign-up process, publicize the event and enforce the rules to ensure a smooth-running event.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine whether your tournament will benefit a charity. Hit up sponsors to donate refreshments, trophies and giveaways such as sunscreen, visors, balls and sweatbands.

2. Decide what kind of sport you'd like to play. Individual sports are usually best for tournaments because they encourage participation (teams are harder to come by). As mentioned, tennis, golf and swimming are good tournament sports.

3. Hire or reserve the appropriate officiating crew. For Tennis, the USTA will often provide officiants if you contact them far enough in advance. Sometimes, people who are familiar with the sport will volunteer. Having an officiating crew promotes healthy competition, ensures enforcement of the rules and provides an added safety measure for participants.

4. Form an organizing committee to select the judges, create the brackets and lay down the rules. Purchase software for automatically tracking tournament results. Or, take the low tech route and buy a chalkboard or white board with erasable markers.

5. Publicize your tournament in newspapers and at other sports events and fitness clubs.

6. Buy trophies or prizes to hand out at the awards ceremony.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the athletic directors at schools and colleges. Ask them to spread the word and to suggest students who might like to volunteer. See 385 Organize a Charity Walk or Run for more ideas.
• If your tournament is held in summer's blazing heat, schedule competition early or late in the day so that participants won't suffer.