After speaking with approximately 400 of regional sport's key community leaders, RSV this month released an interim report outlining the impact felt by clubs, with that information to be shared with state sporting associations and local governments to help shape potential assistance that can be provided.
While the report said the major concern of clubs was the well-being of its members and volunteers, many said they were finding it tough to follow the additional safety requirements to return to training, with plenty of extra pressure being placed on volunteers.
The RSV study also found the extra requirements were costing clubs more at a time when they were already facing financial hardship; a quoted president found a number of problems with the situation.
“There is pressure on volunteers — especially the COVID-19 safety officer/s,” the president said.
“It seems like state sporting associations are putting protocols in place . . . but then there is the cost of sanitiser/gloves/cleaning etc.
“There is also some nervousness around coverage of insurance . . . I’m not comfortable with only one person being COVID-safe officer.”
Another president suggested they had felt pressure from local governing bodies and leagues to return to play, creating a situation where they felt they had returned too early.
Regional Sport Victoria acting chair Dan Poynton said COVID-19's significant impact would require a team effort to recover from.
“It’s vital that the sport and active recreation sector work collaboratively to support our regional communities,” Poynton said.
“There is going to be a need for an integrated approach to supporting our regional clubs and the RSAs are leading the charge in kick-starting these conversations.
“This week, we’ll be sharing our preliminary data and insights with state sporting associations, state government and local governments across the state.
“Ultimately, we want to see a combination of a co-ordinated, systematic approach, balanced with place-based solutions to support a return to community sport in a safe and viable framework. It’s vital that the sector understand not only the specific challenges regional clubs are facing, but more importantly, the differing levers at our disposal, to ensure clubs are supported during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The full interim report can be read at http://www.regionalsportvictoria.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Interim-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
