Club Industry’s Massive Social and Economic Impact

Clubs support 75,500 jobs across NSW, providing an important livelihood to many people and their families. The industry pays $1.2 billion in state and federal taxes helping local schools, roads and hospitals. However, it’s the social contribution clubs make that really sets them apart.

Clubs are an indelible part of the Australian way of life. Be it an RSL, golf, bowling, league or one of the many other clubs located in every nook and cranny across state; clubs are the place where Australians gather to share their life experiences. A place where we can all belong.

Its true clubs are a great place to come together with friends over a meal, drink or a game of sport. But clubs provide so much more than your typical hospitality venue. There are literally thousands of local sporting facilities such as bowling greens, golf courses and football fields, as well as thousands more community meeting rooms provided by clubs; something that you just won’t find in any other venue. The estimated value to the community provided by these facilities is a massive $936 million per annum. What you can’t put a price on is the sense of community people feel when playing a game of bowls, watching a kids’ soccer match, or buying a raffle ticket to support the local charity at the club.

The Economic and Social Impact of Clubs in NSW report also demonstrates the giving back by clubs well beyond the licensed club itself, with over $104 million in annual donations made to local sporting, community and charitable organisations. Almost double the amount that can be claimed under the ClubGRANTS scheme. Whether it’s the 15 clubs that contributed over $130,000 to the Fair Fight Foundation to make hospital stays for chronically ill children that little bit more bearable, or the $4,200 given to the Huskisson Rural Fire Service for lockers for the volunteer fire fighters — clubs are there to help.  

Another unique aspect of clubs is volunteering. Through their local club, volunteers provide an amazing 499,600 hours of community service in NSW. A great example of this is Cudal Bowling Club. At the height of the flood emergency late last year, the Club remained open for 48 hours straight as the disaster unfolded, sheltering 60 people. The town was without assistance from emergency services for 72 hours, leaving it up to the local volunteers — including Club President Greg Wiltshire — to pull people from the raging waters. It’s just what clubs do.

The Economic and Social Impact of Clubs in NSW report shows that the club industry has a lot to be proud of. Now, it’s time for the industry to start telling that story so that clubs get the positive recognition they deserve.

A full copy of the Economic and Social Impact of Clubs in NSW report can be found here.