– Updated as of September 2025 –
How to get your Sports and Social Club ready for Autumn/Winter
Autumn and winter weather can pose significant problems for sports club premises or social club buildings. Whether it’s the blustery weather or the earlier nights, clubs operator and managers need to know how to best prepare their club.
Use the key tips listed below by Mark Dearden to properly risk assess your club. For further advice, contact your Club Insure account handler and recieve more detailed tailored guidance as well as answers to any questions.
Co-Authored by Mark Dearden
Mark is Club Insure’s Schemes Manager. Mark has over 20 year experience handling the policies and claims processes of clubs. He specialises in cricket club’s and working mens club’s claims. Mark understands the dangers posed by cold weather and wants all club representatives to get their premises ready for the autumn and winter months. From lagging to flood warnings to electrical fires, Club Insure know how best to prevent risks.
What clubs should review in time for the autumn months:
Lagging and Insulating External Pipes
Lagging means to insulating external pipes by wrapping them in a material. Lagging pipes helping prevent bursts or heat loss. If your club is open over the winter months, it is essential that all pipes are lagged, especially in the loft.
The majority of clubs will have boilers that are relatively old, and these clubs will be extremely vulnerable to ‘Escape of Water’ claims due to frozen pipes over the winter period. After Fire claims, Escape of Water claims are the biggest risk to a club. The resultant damage caused can cost tens of thousands to rectify.
Mark Dearden, Club Insure Schemes Manager, talks more about lagging and winter safety advice here:
Watch out for Slippery Footpaths and Steps
Perform risk management procedures to check and repair paths and steps. This could mean a daily review each morning or a quick weekly grit. Colder months and increased rainfall can lead to slippery, uneven surfaces, which unfortunately results in possible broken legs, ankles or worse. If you have an older membership this is particularly important. A slip or trip can quickly end up in court forcing an insurance claim.
Non-slip strips are a good preparative measure, as well as proactive winter maintenance programme. Lay down sand or salt and grit to fight against frost. Ensure you check your premises daily, especially when the weather apps warn of low temperatures. Permanent slip signs are good, as are improved barriers and bannisters.
Assess Waterlogged grounds and drainage
Widespread waterlogging is common for floodplains and flood risk grounds, especially those due to clay-based soil. Blockages such as tree roots and refuse waste can cause waterlogged drains, which will quickly flood your premises. A flood results in significant business interruption and damages, and all actions should be take to see this eventuality be avoided.
Identification of the causes of drainage issues is crucial to rectify the problem. Treatments such as air injection or vert-draining may be required. Clubs should consider getting rid of top soil in problem-areas and lay down gravel or sand-slits.
To manage significant flooding and still water, call Club Insure, even if you are not yet a client. We have excellent relationships with nationwide services and will be able to arrange a draining and drying company to visit your premises.
See our claims story of a golf club in Yorkshire that was victim to major flooding of their car park and golf trolley stroage area due to clogged gulley here:
Overhanging Trees
This should be done at the start of the season. Do not attempt to do this yourself as there are many risks. Do not instruct an untrained membe rof staff or volunteer to attempt trimming trees.
Hire a professional tree surgeon to tackle overgrown trees and foliage. Ensure contractors have their own insurance in place, and that their busness has multiple positive reviews. Always try to have a member of staff on site while contractors are on your property.
All subcontractors must have their own insurance, make sure you ask for proof of this before they start work. This should include liability insurance and insurance covering damage to thrid party property.
Flat Roofs
Leaves and refuse can build up on flat roofs and cause numerous issues. Before the colder months, have your flat roof cleared by a professional.
Also, ensure the guttering is cleared out – this will help prevent clogging and water drainage problems. You may even find some balls or lost items up there as a bonus.
Windy wet weather issues
Clubs may need to change how they operate during the colder months. Leaving equipment outside or delivering services outdoors such as food and beverages may need to be reviewed. Outdoor or pavement drinking should probably be reviewed, inlcuding considering putting furniture into storage.
Tie down all equipment, no matter how heavy. Review areas which will most likely be affected by ice or frost. Check all gates and fences for likelihood of being blown down or damaged. Double check your premises and club buildings for leaks.
It’s important clubs appoint and have clearly signposted which individual is responsible for gritting, including the premises, walkways and carpark.
Start up Indoor Societies
As the months get colder and wetter, outdoor societies such as running clubs or fresh-water swimming clubs can see their numbers quickly wane. The months also typically have a more packed schedule, and it can be difficult for your regulars to find the time to visit. This has a direct impact on your club profits and drinks sales at the bar.
Start up some new, more winter-appropriate societies that will keep people coming to your club. Swap running with indoor yoga, futsal over football, swap tennis with squash, and book in some dancing classes. Utilise your indoor space by accessing those members you annually lose; perhaps take on their recommendations and evolve your offering.
Battery Charging
Batteries can be found in many different appliances and piece of equipment found at sports and social clubs. Equipment with batteries need to be kept in secure and dry locations. Most fires at clubs are either caused by kitchens, or by batteries. Charging batteries overnight will cause them to overheat and put your premises at risk.
The batteries need not be large to pose a threat. Floodlights, power tools, phone chargers, machinery, groundskeeping equipment; all can contain batteries and need to be risk assessed.
Mark has strong opinions on lithium ion batteries and the serious risks they pose. Mark says batteries require a significant risk assessment as well as control measures. We recommend storing the batteries in a metal container away from the premises. Only allow responsible members known to the club to handle and operate equipment with batteries.
Securing up your premises to deter theft
Theft is more common in the autumn and winter months because of increased cost pressures and the earlier nights. The blustery weather can cause issues with maintaining security and securing borders. Clubs should have a procedure in place for a responsible individual to lock up and review the security each evening. Clubs which have staff on the premises are guaranteed better security and improved insurance terms.
Store away equipment securely, and potentially remove equipment from your premises if there is no plan to use it ove rthe colder months. Assess the locks you use, the quality of your building locks, and how someone could access your club’s property.
Annual Pre-Autumn/Winter Check
Sports and social club owners and managesr should consider a pre-autumn/winter check. Contact us for more advice on how to do a full and proper pre-autumn/winter check.
And for when it’s time, check our advice on how clubs should get ready for winter: