The Mediocre Sports Club of Fernie launched as a unique neighborhood initiative designed to bring people together for casual, no-pressure sports fun. In a community renowned for its high level of athleticism, Fernie can sometimes feel intimidating to those who aren’t training for marathons or hitting personal bests on the slopes. My idea was to create a space where people of all skill levels could participate in sports simply for enjoyment, fostering an inclusive environment where the emphasis was on fun, not fitness or performance.
With the grant funding, we rented a variety of venues each week to introduce a rotating schedule of different sports. From pickleball to disc golf, we mixed up the activities to keep things fresh and accessible. Each session was open to anyone interested, and we often modified the games to add a bit of silliness or level the playing field. For example, some weeks we played with traditional rules, while others saw new twists that made it fun for everyone—regardless of their skill level or experience.
To spread the word, I created a Facebook group, which quickly grew to over 200 members, and also posted weekly updates on “The Free Fernie” page. Online interest in the club was high, but in practice, turnout varied significantly. Initially, in late winter, we saw a decent number of participants showing up each week, but by summer, attendance began to dwindle. Participation seemed to depend on the particular sport or even on seasonal availability, with some sports drawing more people than others. These fluctuations were a challenge, but they provided helpful insight into what worked best for the community.
Through this experience, I learned a lot about the ebb and flow of recreational interest in our neighborhood, as well as the importance of keeping things flexible and approachable. I also saw how much potential there is for a club like this to grow over time, offering a fun, welcoming atmosphere for people who might otherwise feel out of place in Fernie’s competitive sporting culture.
Looking to the future, I’m excited about continuing this journey, though for now, I’ll be taking a break as I prepare for the arrival of my first child in January. The Mediocre Sports Club of Fernie has made a start, and I hope that when I return, we can bring in even more members to share in the fun. I’m grateful for the support that helped make this possible and look forward to the next chapter when the time is right.
