Community sport has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a recent survey has revealed about one quarter of all community sports clubs are at risk of closure in the next six months.
According to the survey, conducted by the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), more than 16,000 community sports clubs nationally are thought to be at risk of closure if funding support isn’t provided within the next six months.
On top of the financial impact, 70 percent of small clubs forecasted a reduction in the number of participants, due to loss of interest caused by the period of inactivity and concerns around health and hygiene, while 43 percent forecasted a decline in volunteers.
While junior sport has largely returned in the Goulburn Valley, several senior winter competitions were disbanded.
As part of Stage 2 of its Economic Response Package, the Greater Shepparton City Council has stepped in to ease financial pressures on sporting clubs with measures including:
- Waiving fees for Council-managed outdoor sports facilities (excluding light charges) for the 2020/21 financial year
- Indoor Sports facilities Support Program to provide foundation user groups peak court hire at off peak rates for 2020/21 bookings
- All fees waived for all sport clubs who lease Council-managed buildings and facilities in 2020/21
