Dodgeball Tournament

About

A Red Cross Dodgeball Tournament is a fundraiser and friendly competition between school clubs, Red Cross Clubs, or even entire schools. Co-ed teams of eight players pay an entry fee to play against each other tournament style until there is one winner.  

Purpose

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year and can do so with generous financial support from our donors. Funds raised help the Red Cross provide people in crisis with relief for today and hope for tomorrow.    

How to Get Started

Step 1: Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Define your desired outcomes for the activity and create measurable goals and objectives to guide the planning process. We encourage you to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into your activity and be creative with your approaches. 

Step 2: Plan the Details

Determine the need 

   • Connect with your local Red Cross chapter and ask if there are specific programs that they would like the tournament funds to support.   

Determine the fundraising strategy 

   • Determine a team entry fee (e.g., $20 per team) and explain that all money raised will be donated to move the Red Cross mission forward.   

   • Decide the best way to collect funds. You can ask teams to bring cash on the day of the tournament and designate someone to monitor the funds. 

How to donate to the Red Cross? 

   • When it comes to fundraising, transparency is key. 

   • Contact your local Red Cross chapter in advance. You can drop off the cash donation or mail them as a check to your local Red Cross Chapter.   

   • Refer to the Team Red Cross Fundraising Toolkit for more information.   

Step 3: Coordinate the Logistics

Set a date and time 

   • A tournament for eight teams will last about 1.5 hours. 

   • Set a deadline for teams to sign-up. The deadline should be at least one week before the tournament. Make sure you have the contact information (phone number or email address) of all the “Team Captains” for the purpose of sending reminders and updates.   

Secure a venue 

   • Ask your school if you can host the dodgeball tournament in the gym. If that is not an option, ask your local Department of Parks and Recreation for permission to host in a park or a community recreation center.   

Assign roles and responsibilities  

   • This activity requires a planning committee to assist with logistics planning and the execution of the activity.  

        • Plan the tournament schedule. Create a bracket using a bracket generator. 

   • Consider recruiting more volunteers to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tournament operations. 

Gather supplies 

   • Create a list of supplies needed and arrange to acquire them in advance. See the equipment section of rules of dodgeball for more information. 

Spread the Word 

   • Advertise the activity through various channels such as social media, email, and school announcements. Find creative ways to get teams and spectators excited about the tournament. 

   • Send a reminder to all the volunteers and participants with important details prior to the activity.  

Step 4: Facilitate the Activity

   • Run through Step 2 and Step 3 in advance and engage the participants throughout the activity.   

   • Arrive early to set up for the activity to 

1. Set up the tournament space 

2. Begin checking in teams an hour before the tournament begins 

3. Make sure the announcer has prepared their opening remarks 

4. Announce the winners when the tournament is complete  

Step 5: Debrief and Thank Your Volunteers

   • Invite participants to discuss their experiences and capture lessons learned.

   • Thank everyone who contributed and participated. 

   • Remind volunteers to record their hours through Volunteer Connection.  

This activity was inspired by Red Cross High School Dodgeball at Pingree School in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.