Sports Community acquired by Belgravia Group in bid to reverse post-COVID downturn in sport volunteers

December 22, 2020

Sports Community - which has been supporting volunteers, clubs and professionals since 2013 - has announced its acquisition by the Belgravia Group.

Uniting with a common goal of providing sporting club volunteers and organisations with valuable resources, training and knowledge to succeed, Sports Community will now be backed by Belgravia Leisure’s nationwide geographical footprint and a workforce of over 5,500 staff.

Steve Pallas, founder and Chief Executive of Sports Community, will continue in his role to lead and drive the organisation under the Belgravia Group banner.

The combination of Pallas’ passion for supporting volunteers and the Belgravia Group’s significant investment towards the growth of Sports Community will see a compelling increase in the support and resources that Sports Community can provide.

Commenting on the challenges faced by community sport, Pallas advised “COVID-19 had a huge impact on sports in Australia. A majority of volunteers have been unable to return in their original capacity and we have seen a number of clubs severely under-resourced as a result.

“A partnership with Belgravia Leisure will provide Sports Community with the resources to support these volunteers and the sporting industry to enable them to assist the local sports clubs so that they can rebuild in 2021 and beyond.”

Recent Sport Australia data found a staggering 2.2 million (71%) volunteers had not returned to sport in the same capacity post COVID-19. Volunteers hold approximately 72% of roles in sport and recreation; the significant downturn in volunteer participation has had, and will continue to have, negative repercussions on sport in 2021.

Pallas is driven by his passion to make it as easy as possible for every volunteer in an Australian club to undertake their role, regardless of the club, location or function.

Recalling his early experience as a 20-year-old university student who was secretary of his local cricket club and “the worst club administrator ever”, Pallas saw the importance in providing club volunteers with the tools to succeed.

Sports Community works with sporting clubs of all sizes and locations, with the mantra that ‘Every volunteer can be successful given the right resources and information’.

Apart from providing volunteers with all the necessary tools to effectively support their clubs, Sports Community also provides resources, training and knowledge to sport peak bodies, local councils, universities, State and Federal government agencies to empower volunteers and their clubs to achieve amazing results.

Sports Community assists sporting clubs and organisations by providing:

• Training webinars
• Live workshops
• Sports consulting
• Podcasts
• Facilitating connections and relationships
• Grant support
• Fundraising support
• Sponsorship support

For more information go to www.sportscommunity.com.au

18th December 2020 - Belgravia Leisure’s achievements in aquatic programs and facilities recognised at AUSTSWIM Awards

21st August 2020 - Belgravia Foundation rolls out mental health training for Belgravia Leisure staff

18th August 2020 - Softball Australia becomes latest NSO to partner with Belgravia Group

22nd July 2020 - Australian Sports Foundation survey finds Coronavirus has taken $1.5 billion from community sport

2nd July 2020 - Report shows small businesses as the backbone of community sport

13th June 2020 - Community sporting clubs facing financial ruin as revenue streams hit by Coronavirus impact

24th May 2020 - Sport Australia launches toolkit to guide safe return of community sport

7th May 2020 - Western Australian Government releases factsheet on how easing of Coronavirus restrictions will impact community sport and recreation

19th March 2020 - Government issues Coronavirus guidelines for community sport, stating fitness centres and swimming pools need not close

21st February 2020 - Queensland Government invests in community sporting infrastructure

23rd November 2019 - Former Government lawyer says Federal Minister’s Community Sport Infrastructure allocations were ‘illegal’

3rd October 2019 - Belgravia Group to become first partner of Baseball5 League in Australia

1st October 2019 - Belgravia Group assumes ownership of additional JUMP! Swim Schools businesses

18th April 2018 - Community sport key to gender equality

14th April 2018 - Community sport to benefit from new Victorian Government funding

9th November 2017 - Conference brings Australia’s high performance sports community together

10th March 2017 - SportsTG launches new app for community sport

24th February 2015 - What will community sport clubs be like in 20 years?

28th September 2014 - Sports Community research into the reality of how sports clubs are run

21st June 2014 - Stamping out the ugly side of community sport

19th November 2013 - Sports Community shares experiences of effective use of facebook and twitter

22nd October 2013 - Sports Community backs grassroots sports clubs

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