March 11, 2015
A recent survey of the region’s sports clubs has disclosed that most feel they don’t have enough members, players and/or volunteers.
Yet most clubs do not have a volunteer co-ordinator or anyone designated to recruit volunteers.
Sports and Recreation Portfolio chair Cr Barry Green told Wednesday’s South Burnett Regional Council meeting the survey was run in conjunction with BIEDO to gain an insight into the overall health of sport in the region, determine the current state of sporting clubs and find out their future requirements.
Cr Green said about 50 surveys were sent out to various South Burnett sports clubs over the past few months and more than 80 per cent were returned, which was “a more than pleasing result”.
With senior sport, the principal reasons for not joining were a lack of time and affordability.
With junior sport, the most common barriers to building membership were a transient population; the costs associated with playing some sports; a lack of time and/or commitment by parents; and parental dislike of certain sports.
The survey disclosed that a large number of clubs do not review their constitution, by-laws or policies on a regular basis or at all, even though most refer to them when making decisions.
Most clubs do not have any strategy to attract members, and do not have an induction process for incoming committee personnel.
The survey also found that while most clubs believed they were financially stable, more than 50 per cent did not compile an annual budget.
Finances come from membership frees, grants, sponsorships, fundraising and gate and bar takings.
However, 75 per cent believe they needed funding assistance,
The survey also found the majority of club members only attended workshop training sessions “very occasionally”, but all expressed an interest in attending workshops about securing grants, fund raising, promotions and sports coaching.
And while many clubs were proactive about providing training for coaches and other sports officials, they had less enthusiasm for training committee members in governance matters.
Communication strategies were also mixed.
Websites, Facebook and club newsletters were used to communicate with members but they did not attract new members or sponsors.
The survey also disclosed that 75 per cent of clubs leased their grounds from Council but 50 per cent owned their own facilities.
Council will now consider the report’s findings.
