BRAC Future Plan Strategic Opportunities prepared by URBANSCALE + here studio for Ballarat Regional Athletics Centre July 2014
1
Project introduction Background
The process so far
Athletics, like many sports, is undergoing significant changes in the modern era: while data indicates growth in non-competitive sports participation, much of this growth is occurring outside of existing club structures. The impacts of this are many: incremental decline at club level, with flow-on effects on the types of activities offered; lower levels of income generation; under-use and/or decline of physical assets; decline in volunteer numbers, complicated by higher demands on boards of management and regulatory burden.
The BRAC Future Plan project aims to provide extensive engagement with athletes and stakeholders from Council, State Government, Athletics Victoria and other groups, and includes an exploration of sporting strategy, policy and programs at the local, state and national level.
To have a positive strategic impact, BRAC requires new knowledge: it must gain a clear, deep understanding of the drivers of athletics participation in Ballarat and the region so it can set a vision, directions, determine priorities, form partnerships, and seeking funding for programs and projects that will meet the expectations of the athletics community. A process of this kind gives BRAC an opportunity to align itself to the policies, programs and investment flowing from local, state and federal governments, as well as Athletics Victoria and Athletics Australia. To develop a meaningful, long-lasting and high-impact Future Plan, BRAC needs to engage with its members, the athletics community and sporting stakeholders to understand the mood for change: is it ambivalence (i.e. ignore and avoid the change), open hope (trust others to work it out), or indeed diverse ambition (opportunities and goals through change)? Planning for change and growth at this level is not only about identifying these sentiments, but encouraging positions to be connected to capacity and awareness, and planning together the future that is desired, as well as how to get there. The Future Plan therefore has the potential to identify, explore and unlock the value within the athletics community – the social/people and physical assets – and to leverage these into opportunities. 2
In May 2014, a three-hour workshop was held with members of the BRAC Board. This was followed by online community engagement managed via the BRAC Future Plan website. Two surveys were released - the first, for members of any athletics club, whether in Ballarat or elsewhere, including Little Athletics (http://bracfutureplan.net.au/online-surveyathletics-club-members), and the second, for anyone interested in athletics who isn’t a member of a club (http://www. bracfutureplan.net.au/general-survey-about-athletics). The survey took about 10 minutes to complete and included multiple choice and open questions on issues relating to growing and managing athletics in the Ballarat region. Eighty responses were received from clubs members and nineteen people responded to the general survey. The following pages provide a summary of findings from the Board workshop and online engagement to date and are provided in preparation for the core stakeholder workshop to be held on 17 July 2014. For further information, please visit www.bracfutureplan.net.au or contact Shannon Meadows, shannon@urbanscale.com.au
estern Victoria
etro Melbourne
Club Member survey What is your gender? What is your gender? 80Female Total respondents: What is your gender?
Gender
Male
Female Male
Do you compete in athletics events and meets regularly?
W
What your gender? Female Do you compete inisathletics events meets Total respondents: 19and Yes, most weeks Male regularly? Yes, a couple of times a month What your gender? Do you compete inisathletics events and meets Yes, when I can Female regularly? Yes, not most weeks No, very often
Gender
Female Male
W
20
W
15
20 10
Male Yes, a couple of times a month Female Yes, most when weeks I can Male Yes, not a couple of times a month No, very often
15 20 5 10 15 0
Yes, when I can
5 10
Ho 0 5is W Ho
No, not very often
What is your age? What is your age?
AgeWhat is your age?
What is your age? 5-12 13-17 18-24 5-12 25-34 13-17 35-44 5-12 18-24 45-54 13-17 25-34 55-64 18-24 35-44 25-34 45-54 35-44 55-64
Where do you live?
Location
Where do you live? Where do you live?
45-54 55-64
Ballarat area Western Victoria Melbourne Metro Ballarat area Other city
estern Victoria
Western Victoria Other regional city
etro Melbourne
Ballarat area Melbourne Metro
estern Victoria
Western Victoria Other city
etro Melbourne
General survey What is your gender?
Melbourne Metro Other regional city Other city Other regional city
At what level do you compete most regularly? 13-17 What is your age? 25-34
50
0
is 20 Ho W is 15 W 20
35-44 At what Age levelWhat do you compete regularly? is your age?most 40 Club and BRAC races Club only
13-17 45-54 Club, BRAC25-34 and AV races 55-64 Club only(track and field athletes only) Pros/VAL 13-17 35-44 65-74 Club and BRAC races State level25-34 events 45-54 Club only Club, BRAC andevents AV races National level 35-44 55-64 Club and (track BRAC races Pros/VAL and field athletes only) International level events 45-54 65-74 Club, BRAC and AV races State level events 55-64 Pros/VAL level (track and field athletes only) National events 65-74 State level events International level events
At what level do you compete most regularly?
30 50
20 40 50 10 30 40 0 20 30 10 20 0 10
Where do you live?
Location
10
15 20 5 10 15 0 5 10 0 5
Ho Ha 0at re 12Ho at 10 Ha Ho 8re 12at 6Ha 10 re 4
National level events International level events Ballarat area
Where do you live? Did you participate in Little Athletics as a child?
0
Western Victoria
Where do you live? Metro Melbourne Yes area Other city Did you participate in Little Athletics asBallarat a child? No
Western Victoria
Ballarat area Melbourne Did you participate in Little Athletics asMetro a child? Yes No Yes No
Western Victoria Other city Metro Melbourne Other city
3
12 8 2 10 6 0 8 4
Western Victoria
Western Victoria
Metro Melbourne
Melbourne Metro Other city
The Athletics offer
Other regional city
Club member survey data Current State
How often do you participate in athletics (including competition)?
One of BRAC’s primary responsibilities is organising and delivering year-round track and field and cross country competition in Ballarat. The track and field season runs from November to March-April each year, and includes weekly meets that form part of the Athletics Victoria Shield competition. Track meets are held at Llanberris Reserve and are typically on Saturday afternoon.
1-3 times a week 3-6 times a week Daily
What into a 30 25 20
Cross Country season runs from April to October each year; it includes is your gender? a series of events onWhat Saturday afternoons where athletes compete as individuals, or in team relays, on behalf of their club. During the Cross Country season, BRAC also coordinates a Ballarat regional team as What isVictoria your gender? part of the 10-race Athletics XC Series. Eligible Female runners from the four adult athletics clubs self-nominate for selection, and can Male compete in individual and relay events across the State.
15
Do you compete in athletics events and meets regularly? Do you compete in athletics events and meets Yes, most weeks regularly? Yes, a couple of times a month Yes, when I can Yes, most weeks No, not very often
Female Male
Yes, a couple of times a month
Issues identified by the Board
Yes, when I can No, not very often
•
Social and employment changes affecting participation rates
•
Too dependent on AV for programming What is your age?
•
Competition focus, not about participation
•
What is your age? Formats are predictable and not exciting
•
18-24 Offer is ‘static’ and hasn’t kept pace with social and sporting 5-12 25-34
5-12 13-17
changes
•
13-17 35-44 18-24 Scheduling is keeping new people away from the sport 45-54
•
25-34 55-64 Poor atmosphere at meets and races, and decreased club 35-44
rivalry, due to low attendance
45-54 55-64
4
Where do you live?
At what level do you compete most regularly? 50
Club only At what level do you compete most regularly?
40 30 50 20 40
10 30 0 20 10 0
Club and BRAC races
Club, BRAC and AV races Club only(track and field athletes only) Pros/VAL Club and races State levelBRAC events Club, BRAC andevents AV races National level Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only) International level events State level events National level events International level events
10 5 0
region?
Western Victoria Metro Melbourne
12
Other city
10
The Athletics offer
8
Yes, in the past
Athletics community views I would consider being a member in the future
6 4
General survey data
No, I have never been a member
2 0
How often do you participate in athletics?
“Despite having participated for more than 10 years in my youth, I am still daunted by the prospect of joining a club with my family due to there being so many rules/processes to understand. Having to spend numerous hours on the weekend at events is also a barrier i.e. it takes too long, particularly when you have the interests of children to consider or juggle.”
To what “As someone not part of a club, flexible participation - no and sup
Daily Several times a week
membership and different race times - would make athletics more appealing to me.”
Only occasionally Never
To what extent do the existing facilities you participate in athletic sports? meetWhy yourdo needs? To what the existing Whyextent do youdo participate in facilities athletic Doesn't meet my needs atsports? all 20 your needs? meet Health and fitness Rarely meets my needs 15 20 10 15 5 10 0 5
To challenge myself Neutral Doesn't meet my needs at all Weight management Meets my needs Health and fitness Rarely meets my needs To challenge compete inmyself events Always meets my needs To Neutral I enjoy the social aspects Weight management Meets my needs It iscompete something I can do with family/children To in events Always meets my needs don't the social aspects II enjoy
It is something I can do with family/children How well do you think athletics as a sport is promoted in the Ballarat region? I don't 0
How well do you think athletics as a sport Who do participate with? is promoted in you the Ballarat region? Not very well Not well
Who do you participate with?
20 15 20 10 15 5 10 0 5
Neutral Not Wellvery well
Alone
Not Verywell well Neutral
Family Alone members/my children Other Friends
Well Very well
Friends
Fitness instructor, personal trainer, or coach Family members/my children Work Other colleagues Fitness instructor, personal trainer, or coach Work colleagues
“A dynamic interclub offering each weekend; a key marque meet annually and a solid grassroots training program that encourages involvement.”
To what extent do the existing facilities “Imeet think BRAC, along with other sporting brokerage your needs? organisations, havedo a responsibility tofacilities work with the To what extent the existing broader community to improve physical activity, health and Doesn't meet my needs at all meet your needs? wellbeing” Neutral Meets needs Doesn'tmy meet my needs at all Always Neutral meets my needs
Strategic opportunities •
Meets my needs
Broaden athletics appeal by focusing on participation as Always meets my needs well as competition • Building a strong, clear ‘Athletics Experience’ How owellSocial, do you think athletics a sportindividual and physical, health andas wellbeing, is promoted in the Ballarat region? team How well do you think athletics as a sport o Coaching, training, racing, events, workshops is promoted in the Ballarat region? Not very well • Innovative programming and scheduling to build Not well excitement Neutral Not very well • Create audience engagement and feedback loops to Well Not well remain relevant Very well Neutral • Low cost barriers into the sport, so it remains accessible Well • Emphasise ‘whole of life and all abilities’ Very well 5
No, not very often
Growth
Yes, most weeks
Doesn't meet my needs at all
Yes, a couple of times a month
Rarely meets my needs
Yes, when I can
Neutral
No, not very often
Meets my needs Always meets my needs
What are is your age? your view, how welcoming athletics ubs to new members?
Current State
Howmember positively survey do you rate your Club data 5-12 13-17
Not very welcoming
18-24
Not welcoming
25-34
At what level do you compete most regularly? In an increasingly competitive and changing sport and 35-44 social Neutral landscape, achieving growth in athletics presents many unique 45-54 Welcoming challenges. Growth targets within the existing organisational structure 50 55-64 team Club only Very welcoming are higher levels of participation in BRAC events; strong 40 and BRAC races representation in AV events; and sustainable Club financial management. BRAC is aware it needs to revisit its growth mission, toraces reframe Club, BRACand and AV 30 what growth means: the opportunity is now to not only enhance Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only) the existing ‘competition platform’ – an annual programme based 20 level events Where you live? around track meets and cross do country racingState – but to develop a new National level events 10 ‘participation’ platform that captures recreational athletes, is based e you currently working with an on establishing new partnerships and pathways into the International levelsport, events and 0 which leverages BRAC’sor many physical, social and club-based assets. hletics coach, formally informally? Ballarat area
cs
Western Victoria Metro Melbourne
Western Victoria
experience volunteer? At what levelas doayou compete most regularly?
How well do you think athletics as only a sport Very Clubpoor is promoted in the Ballarat region? Poor 40 Club and BRAC races 50
Neutral Club, BRAC and AV races
30
Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only) Good Not very well State level events Excellent Not wellNational level events
20 10
Neutral International level events
0
Well Very well
Did participate in Little competition Athletics as ato child? Howyou important is regular you?
Melbourne Metro
Yes
Issues identified byNo the Board Have in the past but not now
Other city Other regional city
Did you participate in Little Athletics as a child?
Yes
How easy is it to get information No about important athletics clubs and events inNot the Ballarat Neutral region? Not very important
Important
• •
Low participation rates in events and meets when compared to Yes historical levels No Increased competition from other sports How often do you participate in athletics
•
(including competition)? Low or static growth in membership at club level
•
Low community awareness of regional athletics ‘offer’ 1-3 times a week
•
Low audience engagement
•
What was your (or your child’s) pathway Transition between Little As and clubs not optimised into athletics?
•
6
3-6 times a week Daily
Not enough pathways into the sport: for new members, or for 30 shifting from other sports people School/university 25
Friends
20
Family
15
Neighbour
NotVery very important easy Not easy Neutral Easy
What was your (or your child’s) pathway into athletics? 30
School/university
25
Friends
20 Family In your view, how important are coaching Neighbour 15 programs to athlete development?
Inspired by Olympics or an athlete
10 5
Other Not very important
0
Neutral Important
n
h
ure
Doesn't meet my needs at all
Do you compete in athleticsNeutral events and meets regularly? Meets my needs
Growth
To what extent do the existing facilities meet your needs?
Always meets my needs
General survey data
Yes, most weeks
Doesn't meet my needs at all
Yes, a couple of times a month
Rarely meets my needs
Yes, when I can No, not very often
How well do you think athletics as a sport is promoted in the Ballarat region? Not very well Not well Neutral At what level do you compete most regularly?
Athletics community views Neutral Meets my needs Always meets my needs
“The key to greater participation and retention in athletic clubs, is to change the current training and competition model at primary schools, to a fun activity to compete with other exciting pastimes for kids. It is critically important to incorporate progressive skillas components into this fun based How well do you think athletics a sport program however which needs a specific 6 year program to is promoted in the theretention Ballaratand region? achieve a high level of skill come secondary school.”
Well
Very well Club only
50 40
Club and BRAC races Club, BRAC and AV races
30
Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only) 20
State level events National level events
10
International level events
How easy is it to get information about athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat Club member survey data region? 0
Not very easy
Did you participate in LittleNot Athletics as a child? easy Neutral Easy
Yes Very easy No
To what degree would athletics coaching and support benefit your participation? What was your (or your child’s) pathway Would not be beneficial at all into athletics? Would not be beneficial 30
Neutral School/university Would be beneficial
Not very well
“Ballarat athletics in recent past has seemed to concentrate Not well on the elite with the graded competition with little regard to Neutral club involvement.” Well Very well
“With current strategies probably one athletic club with about 100 - 150 members. Rationalisation due to financial constraints.”
Strategic opportunities How easy it to get information about • isReimaging BRAC’s role and mandate athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat • Club capacity building: growing the sport from the region?
grassroots, and strategic cooperation Not very easy • Creating more pathways into athletics from outside the Not easy sport Neutral • Transitions between Little As and clubs Easy • Investment paradigm – training, capacity building and support for clubs and individuals • How to take advantage of ‘leverage points’ o Physical assets o Local history of athletics achievement o how Elite athletes are coaching In your view, important o Strong club network
programs to athlete development?
7
Club, BRAC and AV races
30
Well
Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only) 20
Social 10
0
Very well
State level events National level events International level events
Club member survey data Current Did State you participate in Little Athletics as a child?
a
How easy is it to get information about athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat region?
o
Athletics in Ballarat is defined by its strong social characteristics. Yes Clubs in particular can be viewed as social spheres: club members No enjoy socialising, training and racing with other athletes, and this city forms a ma jor part of the ‘athlete experience’. Clubs have taken ma jor steps towards building junior programmes, enabling families to participate in racing together. In 2013 BRAC reintroduced its regional team for the Athletics Victoria XC Series – while there was much success by individuals and teams across the season, anecdotally we know that athletes derived huge pleasure from sharing the racing experience with athletes from their own and other clubs. A positive hletics social atmosphere at club level leads to greater athlete engagement, was ayour (or your pathway and providesWhat BRAC with leverage pointchild’s) for new and different social experiences into at the regional level. athletics?
ek
30
ek
25 20 Issues identified by the Board
School/university Friends Family
15
Neighbour
10
Inspired by Olympics or an athlete
Not very easy Not easy Neutral Easy
How well do you think your club promotes itself to the wider community? Not very well How well do you think your club Not well In your view, important are coaching promotes itselfhow to the wider community? Neutral programs to athlete development? Well Not very well Very well Not very important Not well NeutralNeutral Important Well Very important Very well
Other
•
5 Changes to social patterns and family lifestyles
•
Limited social opportunities
•
Competition from other sports for new participants
•
Culture is critical, needs to be very positive and welcoming
•
Declining club health
0
In your view, how welcoming are athletics clubs to new members? In your view, how welcoming are athletics Not very welcoming clubs to new members? Not welcoming Neutral Welcoming Not very welcoming Very welcoming Not welcoming Neutral
8
Welcoming Very welcoming
ch
Well 5
Social
I enjoy the social aspects Very well It is something I can do with family/children I don't
0
General survey data
Who do you participate with? How easy is it to get information about athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat 20 Alone region? Friends 15
10
uture
Not very Family easy members/my children Not easyOther
5
Neutral Fitness instructor, personal trainer, or coach Work colleagues Easy
0
Very easy
Have youdegree ever been a member an athletics club? To what would athleticsof coaching and support benefit your participation?
12
How well do you think athletics as a sport is promoted in the Ballarat region? Athletics community views “Ballarat clubs in general appear to have a ‘history/tradition’ Not very well behind them, competitive,Not yet good camaraderie between well athletes and clubs. Good that athletes from any club or no Neutral clubs can join in with others in training. Clubs appear to be Well very family friendly and cater for all.” Very well
“It’s a fantastic sport that allows young kids to develop there friendships and coordination all at the same time.”
How easy is it to get information about Strategic opportunities athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat region? • Huge potential to engage new groups and audiences
No, I have never been a member
10
Would notYes, be in beneficial the pastat all
8
Would notI would be beneficial consider being a member in the future
6
Neutral
4
Would be beneficial
2
Would be very beneficial
•
Not very easy BRAC’s role can expand into enabling social interaction Not easy through athletics o Health and wellbeing, Neutral coaching, workshops, advice and support for Easy all ages
•
Make the sport accessible and equitable to the whole community
•
A dynamic, positive culture that excites and welcomes people
0
Very easy
To what degree would athletics coaching • Partnerships and promotions focusing on healthy, active lifestyles and support benefit your participation? •
Events and programmes that leverage off existing Would not be beneficial at all strong social base Would not be beneficial Neutral Would be beneficial Would be very beneficial
9
Facilities Club member survey data Current State Ballarat’s reputation as an athletic (and in particular a running) Doisyou compete in athletics events and range meetsof community largely enhanced by its access to a wide quality training locations and infrastructure. Llanberris Reserve, regularly? which is managed by BRAC on behalf of Ballarat City Council, recently received ma jor upgrades to bring it up to national most weeks competition level. Added to this are multipleYes, outdoor venues used Yes, a couple times a month by runners and athletes of all abilities, including Lake of Wendouree, Victoria Park, the Yarrowee Creek trail, and the huge network of Yes, when I can tracks around Nerrina and Invermay, and through Ballarat East to No, not very often Buninyong. Other infrastructure used by athletes includes ovals, parks, pools and member-based gyms. Stuart Hunter Pavilion at Llanberris is a flexible space used for meetings, events and administration.
IssuesAtidentified byyou thecompete Boardmost regularly? what level do •
50 Llanberris Reserve Club only o On-going maintenance costs Club and BRAC races o 40Accessibility to general public, including gate fees 30
•
Maintaining facility quality
•
Basic provisions 10 o Shelter and shade o 20 Heating and cooling 0 o Canteen – quality and service
•
Club, BRAC and AV races Pros/VAL (track and field athletes only)
Why do you participate in athletic sports? State level events
20
15
National level events
Neutral Meets my needs Always meets my needs
How well do you think athletics as a sport is promoted in the Ballarat region?
General survey data
Not very well Not well Neutral Well
Very well To what extent do the existing facilities meet your needs?
Doesn't meet my needs at all
To challenge myself
Neutral
To compete in events
Did you participate in Little Athletics as a child? It is something I can do with family/children
5
10
Rarely meets my needs
Health and fitness
I enjoy the social aspects
0
Doesn't meet my needs at all
International level events
Understanding future infrastructure requirements Weight management 10
To what extent do the existing facilities meet your needs?
I don't Yes No
Meets my needs Always meets my needs How easy is it to get information about athletics clubs and events in the Ballarat region? Not very easy
How well do you think athletics as a sport
Facilities Athletics community views “I am all for a ‘user pay system’ but not the current arrangements. I would be most interested in a yearly track membership of some sort. There must be a much better way of gaining entry revenue but at the same time to be inviting for potential users and volunteers.” “Llanberris is a great track to run on, but the stands for spectators/shade is lacking greatly. Difficult to visualise races/events at ground level.” “Improved lighting at track, improved access to squads and training groups for a range of athlete levels, increased club and regional social event structures for athletes.” “A pavilion or change room at Victoria Park or Lake Wendouree to support training.” “An indoor facility would be great and attract people from outside Ballarat”
Strategic opportunities •
Reimagining Llanberris Reserve as an athletics hub o Training base for beginners through to elite athletes o Fitness, health and wellbeing facilities o Annual programme of events, workshops, seminars o Ma jor and local competition venue
•
Building a network around, and leveraging, natural assets
•
Investment and partnership model for future facilities use
11
cs
region? Yes
Coaching and development No
Not well Neutral Not very easy Well Not easy Very well Neutral Easy
Current State
Club member survey data
was your (or your child’s) pathway Ballarat What has numerous qualified, experienced and accessible coachesinto whoathletics? are working with athletes in and outside of club environments. Local coaches work with beginners through to elite athletes, across track and field and cross country disciplines. In 30 School/university the last two years BRAC has co-sponsored with local clubs training 25 Friends courses for aspiring coaches: these courses are delivered by AV/AA Family and have 20 significantly increased the number of qualified coaches in Ballarat.15There is currently no system, structure or process Neighbour sitting around athletics coaching or athlete development: coaching Inspired by Olympics or an athlete 10 relationships are typically formed between individuals at club level, Other 5 and by referral.
In your view, how welcoming are athletics In your view, how important are coaching clubs to new members? programs to athlete development? Not Not veryvery important welcoming Neutral Not welcoming Important Neutral Very important Welcoming
Very welcoming
0
Issues identified by the Board • •
Fundamentals are in place, but no system and no integration Perception that coaching is for elite athletes and not for beginner or recreational athletes
•
Coaching to be affordable and accessible
•
Consistent quality of coaching advice and support
12
Are you currently working with an athletics coach, formally or informally? Yes No Have in the past but not now
ture
region?
Coaching and development Not very easy Not easy Neutral Easy Very easy
General survey data
Athletics community views “Coaching needs to be accessible, fair for all and with minimal cost, but most importanly the coaches need to focus on techniques to enhance performance and prevent injuries.”
To what degree would athletics coaching and support benefit your participation? Would not be beneficial at all Would not be beneficial Neutral
“Athletics program at schools run by qualified athletics coaches to introduce the kids to athletics as a fun activity, and gradually build skills and chart progress personal improvement at school sports. This approach would provide a fitness foundation and achieve greatest ongoing interest in athletics as a post-school activity.”
Would be beneficial Would be very beneficial
“Our approach in Ballarat feels a little ad hoc, but it is very difficult to align programs, particularly when we rely extensively on volunteers.”
Strategic opportunities •
BRAC to expand its role to coordination and leadership of coaching programs and athlete development
•
A ‘coaching ecosystem’ that is structured and integrated across BRAC, within clubs and into the community o Track and field o Cross country o Recreational athletes o Beginner to elite competitive athletes o Health and wellbeing
•
Coach training and support network
•
Act as the hub to connect athletes and families with coaches and support programmes
•
Explore value-adds: workshops, camps, guest speakers, events 13
Volunteer management Current State
Club member survey data
Regional athletics is a large operation, and it is a driven almost entirely by volunteers. The committees of BRAC and its member well clubs; do you think and your club coaches; assistants and parent marshals officials; canteen staff: almost every dimension of Ballarat athletics moteshelpers; itself to the wider community? ecosystem is dependent on, and can attribute its current and future success to, volunteers.
Are you an athletics volunteer?
Not very well
Yes, I am currently a volunteer
Not well
No, I am not currently a volunteer
Neutral
I have volunteered in the past but not now
Well Issues identified by the Board Very well
•
Hard to attract new volunteers
•
Ad hoc system without overall plan or coordination
•
Training and support is difficult to manage
ur view, how welcoming are athletics • Cultural and political issues are turning people off helping to new members? •
Officials are perceived too technical and not focused on encouraging participation
•
Not very welcoming Barriers to participation
o o
welcoming Changing social Not patterns Parents less willing or able to commit time Neutral Welcoming Very welcoming
ou currently working with an tics 14 coach, formally or informally?
How positively do you rate your experience as a volunteer? Very poor Poor Neutral Good Excellent
How important is regular competition to you?
Volunteer management Athletics community views “No education or information is given to new volunteers” “There don’t seem to be enough people to volunteer. Unfair on athletes to be expected to volunteer. Why do we need volunteers when all athletes pay big registration fees? Can this work better for the region.” “In my experience it is those who don’t volunteer who complain the loudest about things. It is thankless work.”
Strategic opportunities •
Listening to volunteers to understand their motives and interests
•
Unlocking latent skills, experiences and networks within the athletics volunteer community
•
A consistent framework approach to o Positions and responsibilities o Recruitment and induction o Training and support o Reward and recognition o Retention
•
Reframing technical roles as enablers to participation
15
Thinking Big This strategic process has identified many complex challenges relating to BRAC as an organisation, and to the future of local and regional athletics. While many of those questions are being addressed through the previous six strategic areas, we want to pose two other big questions that we think cut to the core for BRAC’s Future Plan:
1. Can BRAC as an organisation reimagine and expand its role? BRAC is perceived by a wide ma jority of the athletics community as being responsible for the management and upkeep of Llanberris Reserve, and for organising a programme of track and field and cross country events across the year. An equally large ma jority of the athletics community is calling on BRAC to expand and reimagine its role: to act as leader, advocate and influencer for growth and investment in the sport; to plan for an deliver infrastructure to meet current and future needs; to work with clubs to build grassroots participation; to coordinate marketing and promotional activities. Is this what Ballarat regional athletics needs? What would that mean for the current organisation?
2. Compete, or participate? Some of the most profound and far-reaching drivers of change on the sporting landscape are coming from the social and economic space: demography, employment patterns, family composition, income levels, and increased social mobility mean people have more choice and more options. This is having direct impacts on the way people view athletics, how they want to participate in it, and whether they want to join a club. Is the future of regional athletics with racing and Saturday afternoon competition? Or is it about building a model that encourages and accommodates participation – in training, coaching and development sessions; workshops and seminars; fun runs and other ma jor events; training camps; social gatherings; and yes, racing and competition. Do people want to compete, or do they want to participate?
16