When thinking about the ‘value proposition’ of sports clubs, it’s critical to strike a balance between keeping sport accessible, given that it is such a prominent part of Australian culture, and keeping clubs sustainable.
It’s not surprising that we have seen a rise in multi-user, shared or multi-purpose facilities. Multi-use facilities provide a feasible solution when the availability of greenspace is limited, when clubs have smaller membership numbers or distinct playing times, or when resources are limited. However, we have found that there is an expectation from some clubs that the Council will provide each club with their very own exclusive clubhouse and activity space. The dissonance between expectations and feasibility can stifle development of new facilities.
Towers Jockey Club has scored $944,960 from the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
When matched with Racing Queensland funding for track work, this grant will deliver a community event centre worth $1,259,960 to benefit the club, the racing industry, the community and the local economy.
Shooting the messenger feels good, because it gives us a chance to vent when we receive bad news, even though we know it isn’t helpful. But have you also noticed that people have a tendency to ignore advice from people they don’t like, even if the advice is sound? This article is a reminder about the need for club leaders to have great listening skills and to keep an open mind to all suggestions, regardless of where they come from.
Are there things you do in your club that haven’t changed in more than 10 years? In that time, how has the world around you changed? In this article, Michael Connelly explores how people’s natural fear of losing what they have can be holding clubs back from making sensible changes that can lead to better growth and prosperity.
As the pressure on public open space continues to grow, how can local governments best plan for effective multi-use of sports grounds? The shared use of sports facilities remains a hot topic, especially as land becomes more valuable in densely-populated and fast-growing communities. So where should a Council wishing to develop a community leasing policy or a tenure policy for shared use of sports grounds begin? In this article, we share what we think it takes to create a sustainable culture of facility sharing and we provide practical advice for Councils seeking to make improvements.
Your constitution really is important. Not only does it cover vital things like your name, why you exist and how you need to hold meetings, it’s the document that keeps you incorporated! If it isn’t up to date, it can cause stress and sleepless nights leading up to events like your AGM. If you don’t feel comfortable trying to write your new constitution on your own, it’s a good idea to get professional help, to make sure you get it right. But how do you find the best professional to write your new constitution? Because it’s not something you do every day, this article provides the top 5 things to consider when looking for the best club constitution writer.
The most successful community groups, clubs and charity organisations know the value of engaging external professionals to deliver governance training for their committees and boards. They know that the investment of time and money they make will lead to more efficient operations, and therefore better community outcomes. So why do many smaller organisations still shy away from buying club governance training? In this article, we bust what we think are the 6 biggest myths that are standing in the way of volunteers investing in their own learning and growth.
Starting way back in September 2021 and finishing September 2022, Michael and Steve Connelly hosted 11 masterclasses as part of Ipswich City Council’s Stronger Communities project. These masterclasses saw over 150 attendees come together, from more than 100 local community organisations, clubs and associations. These masterclasses were designed to cover the common pain points volunteers face, give them practical tools and provide the techniques to implement those tools within their organisations.
Australian clubs, associations and organisations experience a wide array of risks throughout the year. These risks include everything from natural disasters through to losing volunteers. However, over the last few years we have seen a rise of another kind of risk that could result in committee members being liable if they turn a blind eye to the problem. Management committee and board members need to be aware of common mistakes, such as outdated constitutions, policies, or an expired strategic plan, and avoid them to protect their clubs, organisations and members as much as possible.
The Basket Case Clubs - Marketing Series turned its focus to canteens. In sports clubs, canteens should be viewed as a separate business unit, with their own marketing. Your canteen marketing could be so much more than just rolling up the shutters and hoping for the best! Many sports clubs are missing out on opportunities to generate more profit from their canteen, falling victim to the misconception that not-for-profit clubs and organisations can’t be entrepreneurial. When your marketing messages are relevant for your audience, it can have a big impact on your club’s profits.
In a recent episode of our Basket Case Clubs podcast, Michael and Steve Connelly addressed the importance of Council officers pushing the right projects and how volunteers in clubs should commit to good project planning. This approach can increase political benefits to elected representatives and make sure Councils deliver the best projects for their community.
CPR Group is proud to be a part of helping Councils build their communities and assisting clubs to improve facilities for their members by securing grant funding. Our team of grant writing experts is committed to sharing the necessary skills to be prepared for future funding opportunities. In the last 12 months, CPR Group has assisted Councils and clubs to secure over $17 million in funding across Queensland.
Recent news articles exposed that elite school sporting associations in Brisbane have been quietly offering enticing sporting scholarships, not only to the gifted athletes, but also to their siblings, to entice talented sports stars to move schools. How committee members need to bring their business smarts to their volunteer roles in sport.
