Challenging economic conditions have placed additional strain on community sporting clubs, already struggling with running costs, participation numbers and volunteers after COVID-19 and extreme weather events.
Rising costs and falling revenue are pushing almost one in five (18%) community sporting clubs to the brink of collapse.
More than one in four (27%) clubs are also reporting a decline in registrations among 15-19 year-olds. In the past year, smaller clubs in particular are feeling the greatest pressure, with one in four (24%) small community sporting clubs contemplating closing.
Against a backdrop of rising inflation, 52% of clubs surveyed report cost of living impacts as a growing barrier to member registrations.
More than two in three sporting clubs across Australia (68%) have experienced increased running costs, which is a substantial increase from 47% in 2021. For these clubs, running costs have increased on average by $20,529.
These worrying trends, along with positive signs of increased participation amongst females and young people, have been uncovered through on online survey with responses from almost 3,000 community sporting clubs across Australia.
