Gridiron Club

Overview of the Gridiron Club

Why we are here: We are here because we care about our children and their future and believe in the value LW Football can provide to our youth, school, community, and beyond. We want our children, and by extension LW Football, to be the best they can be, and we are committed to helping make that possible. 

About LW Football: Lake Washington Football has been offering football to the community for more than 100 years. LW Football provides a pathway for students in grades 3–12 through the independently operated Junior Kangs program in grades 3–8 and Lake Washington High School Football in grades 9–12. The vision of Lake Washington Football is to be a championship-caliber program—one in which everyone behaves like a champion on and off the field. The program pursues that vision by empowering its participants through G.R.I.T.—Gratitude, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork—with a spirit of Always Rising.

Challenges: We have identified three primary gaps that have the potential to prevent LW Football from being a championship-caliber program:

• Attention: LW Football is not always top of mind for people because it is seasonal, and because there is a lot of “noise” in the world—even though meaningful and exciting things are happening all the time. 

• Complexity: Football can be complex and demanding and therefore difficult to fully understand and engage in, particularly for those who did not play or grow up around the game. 

• Resources: LW Football does not receive full financial and volunteer support from the school and district, leaving important gaps.

Why the Gridiron Club exists: To close the gaps above, strengthen the connection between the program and its stakeholders, and help ensure the long-term success of Lake Washington Football. Above all, we seek to always build a more positive culture around LW Football possible—one where people feel welcome, informed, empowered, and excited to be part of the program.  

Structure

The Gridiron Club is part of the LWHS Booster Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are a volunteer-run organization primarily consisting of parent volunteers. The Gridiron Club is currently made up of four board members, operations volunteers, and game-day volunteers.

Mission

Create a championship-caliber culture around Lake Washington Football by promoting, simplifying, and supporting the experience for everyone involved. 

Vision

Players, coaches, families, volunteers, fans, and supporters having the time of their lives with Lake Washington Football.

Core Beliefs

1. Promotion builds culture: The more we can promote the program, the more positive the culture will become

2. Simplicity increases participation: When complexity around the sport and program are reduced, people will better understand how and where they can help

3. Support enables performance: When coaches and players are fully supported, they will be able to play and coach at their best

Stakeholders

We strive to put people first by recognizing, appreciating and supporting everyone who is a part of  Kang football. 

Primary Stakeholders

• Players

• Coaches

• Parents

• School community (students, staff, admins)

• Kirkland community

Secondary Stakeholders

• People outside of the Kirkland community

• Prospective players and families

• Opposing teams and visiting families

• Officials

• League and district representatives

• Local media

Focus Areas

The Gridiron Club organizes its work around three focus areas, each directly addressing one of the program's primary challenges:

Marketing & Events — Promote

Keep LW Football top of mind and build positive culture by highlighting and celebrating the people, accomplishments, experiences, and stories that make the program special.

This includes:

• Program and community events

• Social media, website, and other marketing

• Player, coach, volunteer, alumni, and sponsor recognition

• Program traditions, history, and storytelling

• Community outreach and engagement

Communications — Simplify

Make LW Football easier to understand and participate in by providing clear, timely, and accessible information to everyone involved.

This includes:

• Program-to-family communications

• Program-to-community communications

• Schedules, events, and logistics

• Explaining the program, football, and opportunities to participate

• Maintaining clear and accessible information resources

Support — Support

Provide the people, resources, and infrastructure coaches and players need to perform at their best.

This includes:

• Fundraising and sponsorships

• Volunteer recruitment and coordination

• Equipment, training, and program resources

• Team meals, camps, and other operational support

• Game-day and program operations

If you have questions about Gridiron Club operations, please send an email to info@kangfootball.com