Australian Sports Foundation report reveals community clubs are struggling

A newly released report from the Australian Sports Foundation has shown the increasing pressure on community sporting clubs with rising costs and falling revenues pushing almost one in five (18%) to the brink of collapse.

Revealed in a new research report titled Clubs Under Pressure, the perspectives of almost 3,000 community sporting clubs across Australia shows worrying trends - with 52% of clubs surveyed reporting cost of living impacts as a growing barrier to member registrations and more than two in three (68%) having experienced increased running costs, which is a substantial increase from 47% identified in a 2021 report.

Not having enough volunteers and administration load are among other main challenges clubs are facing.

A newly released report from the Australian Sports Foundation has shown the increasing pressure on community sporting clubs with rising costs and falling revenues pushing almost one in five (18%) to the brink of collapse.

Revealed in a new research report titled Clubs Under Pressure, the perspectives of almost 3,000 community sporting clubs across Australia shows worrying trends - with 52% of clubs surveyed reporting cost of living impacts as a growing barrier to member registrations and more than two in three (68%) having experienced increased running costs, which is a substantial increase from 47% identified in a 2021 report.

Not having enough volunteers and administration load are among other main challenges clubs are facing.

Commenting on the findings. the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), which commissioned this research to highlight the issues facing community sports clubs, as well as identifying ways to better support the sector and build the resilience of our community sporting organisations, advised in a statement “local sport has long been the backbone of community health and cohesion as well as being a breeding ground for Australia’s sporting success.

“But it is now at a crossroads.”

The data in the Clubs Under Pressure report has been segmented by club size in order to more accurately determine how various pressures are impacting community sporting clubs differently.

As well as graphs and data, the report includes de-identified quotes from respondents who share insights in their own words, which other clubs may benefit from.

Despite the challenges, the report does show positive signs of increased participation among females and young people, while some clubs showing increased revenue and cash reserves.

ASF also found that only 17% of clubs who completed the survey currently use the online platform, so feels there is an opportunity for more sporting clubs to both reduce the burden on their volunteers through online fundraising and reward their supporters with tax-deductibility for their donations.

For more information on ASF Research email info@asf.org.au

Click here to view the report.

Main image courtesy of Alice Springs Town Council.