Cost of sport

This article appears in the October 2009 edition of Sportshorts.

The sport industry in NSW is united in its goal to make it easier and affordable for people of all ages to be physically active and involved in their communities.

Game Plan 2012, the industry’s strategic plan, sets this out as one of its four key objectives over the next five years.

But when it comes to the affordability and cost of sport, little information or research exists. ABS data on the topic doesn’t distinguish community sporting organisations from major sport and professional clubs with associated businesses.

The fact that community sporting organisations vary greatly in size, structure, available resources, facilities and staffing, further complicates the issue.

Sport and Recreation, together with the University of Technology and many sporting groups, has set out to learn more.

“To assist the sport industry continue deliver an affordable service for the community in the future, it’s essential to have an understanding of the costs associated with running a community sport club,” says Kerry Turner from Sport and Recreation.

“We want a clearer picture on the current financial costs and revenue streams for running a typical club.

“We also want to know more about the financial pressures clubs face now and in the future,” says Ms Turner.

The new research project sets out to identify:

• financial costs that community sporting clubs face
• revenue generated used by community sporting organisations
• any innovative fee/income structures used by sporting organisations.

There are three major parts to the research – a review of existing literature, a club survey and case studies on innovative clubs.

“The club survey is the most significant part of the research,” says Ms Turner.

“We’ve consulted extensively with sporting organisations to develop the survey and hope to have 80 clubs, from eight nominated sports, complete it.

“The survey is very detailed, asking specific information on a whole range of expenses, such as facilities, equipment, uniform, administration, officiating and insurance costs. The survey also looks closely at revenue generation through sponsorships, registration and canteen/ bar and examines financial reporting and forecasts,” says Ms Turner.

The research project is well underway, with the survey sent to sport clubs last month. Full results from the project are expected at the end of the year.

More information

Kerry Turner
Sport and Recreation
kerry.turner@communities.nsw.gov.au