“There Will Be a Reduction in Clubs Across the Coming Years”

 “There is no denying that there will be a reduction in clubs across the coming years,” ClubsNSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner tells the new ClubLIFE Podcast in an episode released earlier this week. 

“[There’s] no denying it’s a challenging time and frankly we can’t see the end of that at this point.” 

Sallianne made the comments amid an environment in which there is an increasing number of clubs struggling to survive, with some unfortunately leaving it too late to turn their fortunes around. 

“It is important that directors are brave and focus on the legacy of their club for their community. We can, with eyes wide open, strategically secure our clubs’ future by considering all options early,” she said. 

Thankfully, there is help at hand for clubs battling to keep their doors open, with many successful amalgamations in recent times, saving clubs that were previously in financial strife. 

Since August last year, 23 clubs across the state have issued expressions of interest via ClubsNSW with a view to being the child club in an amalgamation. 

Sallianne says now is the time for club boards to consider options such as an amalgamation to ensure long-term survival. 

“I think it’s really important that as clubs’ governance boards, we are completely open and transparent in what we are looking to achieve,” she tells the ClubLIFE Podcast.

“I think we really need to understand that there may be opportunities for amalgamations, for example, and we shouldn’t take anything off the table in terms of being able to make sure that our clubs are sustainable and that they are there for the future.” 

Sallianne says it’s critical that boards act now to ensure that local communities across the state continue to benefit from having the support of a strong local club. 

“[It’s] so important for our club industry to continue providing places for our members to belong, to be safe and to be welcomed,” she says. 

“So, for me, it comes down to being transparent as a board around your thinking to ‘what is a sustainable future and how do I get there?’” 

The ClubLIFE Podcast was launched on Tuesday, 1 October and aims to shine the spotlight on the key issues facing the industry, by sharing the knowledge and expertise of those who are connected to it. 

The first episode is available below, with every podcast available on ClubLIFE.com.au, Apple, Spotify and other platforms where people consume their podcasts.