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The Australian Sports Foundation has revealed that the "backbone of community sporting clubs" is breaking with one in four regional and remote Australian sporting clubs experienced declining participant registrations due to the rising cost of living.

The Foundation has advised that about 23% of country sporting clubs are struggling with cost of living impacts, 19% have a lack of resources and 16% need help covering costs of registrations and fees.

Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) spokesperson Ryan Hollaway explained that numbers have declined following the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to a sharp drop in the number of people aged 15 to 19 participating in sport.

Sharing fears for what that gap could mean for community clubs who rely on volunteers to secure their future, Holloway explained “we're looking to work with sport at all levels but particularly that community and grassroots level to raise much-needed funds so we can keep these participants coming, so we're making them feel welcome and making sure they've got the right opportunities, the right kit and equipment, and the right facilities to be able to play and stay within their sport. We know that's a really important sector.

"It's those young Australians that are in that age group, they'll be the next club secretaries, club presidents, committee members, volunteers. We really need them engaged with their community sporting club because we know community sport is more than just about games and playing.

"It's where people come to share experiences and build a sense of community. It's important we get those participation numbers on the increase again.

"It's really about understanding the importance their community sports club has within the lives of so many people within their communities.”

Uber partnership
Looking to reverse the decline, the ASF has partnered with Uber in a campaign - backed by Matildas star Mary Fowler - to find Australia’s most deserving community sports team to award them $50,000 to spend on new equipment and club needs.

Holloway commented “giving back and being a part of it, whether that's as an active participant being a part of one of these reserves teams we're looking to champion as part of the Uber Heroes campaign, or whether it is volunteering as a committee member who is involved in helping raise funds through the Australian Sports Foundation through their fundraising campaigns, or run competitions or be age manager, they're the lifeblood.

"They're the people who keep these clubs going. Volunteering is a big thing, it's something sports clubs need to consider, how we can keep those people connected to our clubs."

Launched this week and running until 31st March, the campaign asks people to send in a 60-second video to show why their club deserves $50,000.

The winner will be selected by a panel including Fowler, the hosts of the Hello Sports podcast and Uber.

Holloway went on to say “as our research has shown, now is a more important time than ever to get behind Aussie grassroots sport. Sports clubs and athletes are under significant financial pressure and clubs are struggling with less volunteers and more administration. Participation and running costs are increasing - while traditional sources of revenue are decreasing.

“We want to bring education and support to reserve grade sporting teams that help them continue to allow Aussies to play the sports they love.”

Click here for more information.

Lower image: Matildas star Mary Fowler has thrown her support behind the campaign. Credit: Australian Sports Foundation/Uber.

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