A new initiative to help sports clubs in the Upper Clutha administer their services is gaining momentum.

Sport is a big part of Upper Clutha culture (there are more than 60 sports organisations here) and Sport Central’s community sport advisor Tiny Carruthers says most clubs have a treasurer and secretary and some people find themselves doing multiple roles in multiple clubs.

“With more accountability required around health and safety and finance, less and less volunteers are capable or willing to put their hands up,” Tiny said.

“There must be a better way to manage our clubs to a high standard and allow our volunteers to focus on the stuff they are good at: competitions, tournaments, coaching, playing, growing the game, and having fun doing it.”

Tiny Carruthers

Recently eight of the larger Upper Clutha sports clubs met to explore a shared services model considering best practices, secretary, treasurer, and other ‘back-room’ operations.

“The response was unanimous to develop a shared services model,” Tiny said. 

“Although sharing services was the initial driver behind coming together, once clubs sat around the table, they quickly realised sharing services was only the tip of the iceberg and there was so much more they could achieve by working together.”

Tiny said the clubs found a lot of common ground and the conversation covered topics like solving club transport issues, collaborating on programmes or facility projects, advocating as a collective to national and territorial authorities, and bulk funding and buying.

A group (including club representatives and independents) is being formed to progress the project.

“Our town is full of sport-minded people with governance experience, big-picture thinkers with the capability to achieve great stuff,” Tiny said. 

“These are people we are looking for as independents to sit on our Sports Hub.”

Tiny said he is keen to hear from anyone who thinks they have skills to offer the project, and he would like to hear from clubs that are interested in working collaboratively on the project.

Tiny can be contacted at [email protected] or call 021 212 4290.

Related: Sports fields shortage highlighted

PHOTOS: Supplied