Initiative launched to help grassroots sport navigate COVID-19 crisis

Grassroots Pledge has launched as a new pay-it-forward initiative to help local sports clubs around Australia navigate through the COVID19 crisis.

This initiative allows people to pledge an amount to their local sports club that can either be redeemed once games start up again or be used as a donation.

The concept was established by Sports Geek's Sean Callanan, in partnership with INTIX ticketing platform, as a way for communities to support local sports clubs and help them with cash flow issues created by the social distancing restrictions.

Callanan noted “many local sports clubs around Australia are struggling with the restrictions as revenue and traditional sources of funding are no longer available.

“A lot of communities, particularly small ones, revolve around their local sports clubs. Many of these clubs were affected by the bushfires earlier this year and are now in lockdown due to COVID19.

“These clubs rely on membership, game day fees and fundraisers to keep cash flow going.”

Callanan said that most of the mainstream media has been focused on the return of elite sports and Grassroots Pledge was a way to boost support for local sports adding “with the Pandemic presenting many challenges to the sports industry, I began looking for a way to help the industry bounce back.

“So I connected with INTIX via one of our regular #SportsBizZoom calls to brainstorm how we could secure funds to ensure local clubs survive the break, and allow people to say ‘I will be back to support my club. From there we developed the Grassroots Pledge.”

In terms of pricing, as the business is a social enterprise Callanan explained it would only be looking to cover costs from payment processing.

“All other costs are currently being covered by us, and we are looking for sponsors so if anyone is in a position to help we’d love to hear from you!”

Find out more and get involved at grassrootspledge.com.au