Sports forum packed with vital information

Central Highlands Sports Forum 2019 is a must for any sporting or active recreational organisation looking to secure its future viability.

This year’s annual forum is a landmark event with Central Highlands Regional Council’s Game Plan program and Tenure Framework policy now in effect.

Council will also unveil its Club COACH interactive hub. The online portal will be a central source of information sharing between sports clubs and council.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said it is in the best interest of sporting and active recreation organisations to attend the Sports Forum.

‘Council has an exciting 10-year plan, the Game Plan, which incorporates the Tenure Framework and provides the necessary policies and procedures to help our clubs to proactively plan their future knowing that we are there in support every step of the way,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘The Club COACH interactive hub will also be a game changer for the region and I look forward to it evolving to become a vital tool in further strengthening our sport and active recreation community.’

This year’s forum will feature two informative workshops that will help sporting and active recreation organisations plan for sustainable futures.

The Facility Management workshop, presented by Michael Connelly of CPR Group, will help clubs to outline their roles in the community, and provide information and tools to assist committees to better understand the issues related to facility maintenance, including playing surfaces, clubhouses, amenities and lighting.

Mr Connelly said regular, small amounts of time and money spent on maintenance on assets like clubhouses, can save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, as expensive replacements can be avoided.

‘With a small amount of inspiration, and access to the right tools, it’s easy for clubs to make a big difference, and save lots of time and money every year by not needing to fix or replace their assets prematurely,’ Mr Connelly said.

He said council’s adoption of the Tenure Framework policy meant it was even more important that organisations had a clear understanding of their asset management responsibilities.

‘With clear lines of responsibility for asset management included in the Tenure Framework, there are now going to be distinct obligations on clubs and their volunteers to manage our community’s assets,’ he said.

‘Access to the right information and tools, as I’ll be covering at the forum, will certainly streamline the process of clubs meeting their obligations as simply and quickly as possible.

‘One of the most important takeaways that attendees get from the sessions that I conduct is that when we change the way we think about providing sport, with the understanding that it is big business to Australians, we can set up simple systems and processes that make the role of our dedicated volunteers so much easier.’

The Plan your Club (Strategic Planning) workshop, presented by Leisa Donlan of committee.com.au, is aligned to the Game Plan program and provides a practical planning opportunity for club committees to decide their vision for the future; assess internal and external issues; set five-year goals and develop plans and actions.

Ms Donlan said sporting and recreational organisation volunteers often find it impossible to prepare a plan and were grateful just to get through the year providing services to members without running out of volunteers or money.

‘It is certainly possible to struggle through like that for decades, but the reality is that, while it isn’t glamorous, any plan will have a huge effect on the success of an organisation because it’s a common vision of what you are all trying to do together,’ Ms Donlan said.

‘Even a one-page plan will cut down on politics, focus on success, and make such a difference to your volunteers and members.’

Ms Donlan said she understood the pressure that can be placed on committee members, who are mostly volunteers and had to fit club duties on top of already busy lives away from their clubs.

‘I certainly don’t want to hear that volunteers are having to burn the midnight oil along with everything else they have to do, although doing things by the book is very important to minimise risk, both to the individual and the organisation,’ she said.

‘The workshop is designed to allow each club to leave with a basic strategic plan that is almost finished and ready for review.’

To register for Central Highlands Sports Forum 2019 click here.

Registrations close Monday 18 February 2019.

For more information phone 1300 242 686, email [email protected] or visit your closest customer service centre.