CLUBS UNDER PRESSURE

Community sport plays a vital role in the Australian way of life but a report last month suggests that many clubs may be close to shutting their doors.

Rising costs and decreases in revenue have led to almost one in five community sporting clubs considering shutting their doors in the past 12 months, according to an Australian Sport Foundation (ASF) report.

The Clubs Under Pressure report says smaller clubs were feeling the greatest strain with as many as one in four considering closing.

Running costs have risen 68%, averaging $20,529, due to rises in insurance, maintenance, utilities, affiliation fees, digital operating expenses, rent and salaries.

The report said challenging economic conditions placed “additional strain on community sporting clubs, already struggling with running costs, participation numbers and volunteers after COVID-19 and extreme weather events”.

Encouragingly, almost 40% of clubs surveyed experienced an increase in participation, with 33% seeing an increase in female participation. Those surveyed said these increases were due to club promotions, new programs targeting new members, support by volunteers and the community, increased popularity of particular sporting codes and population growth in the area.

Unfortunately, 27% of clubs have reported a decline in registration among 15–19-year-olds, continuing a trend with concerns for the health and wellbeing of this age set and challenges for community sport in this age range generally.

The Australian Sports Foundation is a national non-profit sports fundraising organisation that supports Australian sport. The Clubs Under Pressure report follows similar reports from ASF in 2020 and 2021 which both focused on the impact of COVID-19 on sport.

For more information and a full copy of their findings, including some club participation initiatives from clubs who are continuing to grow in tough times, head to www.asf.org.au

Main Findings

1. Almost 1 in 4 small clubs are considering closing their doors.

2. Rising costs impacting participation and pushing many clubs toward insolvency.

3. Teenagers are continuing to disengage with community sport.

4. Less volunteers and more administration.

5. Clubs want facilities, participation and volunteer support ahead of 2032.