Clubs Under Pressure: What's Changed Since the ASF's Landmark 2023 Report?
If you volunteer or work in Australian community sport, you already know the feeling: too much to do, not enough people to do it, and a bank account that never seems to stretch far enough. Back in 2023, the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) put hard numbers to that feeling in their Clubs Under Pressure report, and the picture was sobering. Two years on, it's worth asking what, if anything, has improved, and what challenges club administrators are still navigating day to day.
What the ASF Report Actually Found
The ASF's Clubs Under Pressure report, published in 2023, surveyed hundreds of community sport clubs across Australia and painted a detailed portrait of the sector's struggles. The headline findings were stark:
Volunteer shortages were the single biggest concern, with the vast majority of clubs reporting difficulty recruiting and retaining volunteers.
Rising costs across insurance, facility hire, equipment, and utilities were squeezing operating budgets hard.
Declining participation in some sports, combined with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, was putting pressure on membership fees and making clubs reluctant to raise them.
Fundraising fatigue was real, with clubs relying on the same small group of people to run events year after year.
Governance and administrative burden was deterring potential committee members, leaving many clubs dangerously thin at the leadership level.
The report made clear that community sport clubs are not just recreational conveniences. They are critical social infrastructure, providing connection, physical activity, and belonging for millions of Australians. When they struggle, whole communities feel it.
Has Anything Improved Since 2023?
The honest answer is: a little, but not enough. The cost-of-living pressures that were biting in 2023 have continued well into 2024 and 2025, with inflation keeping operational costs elevated even as some household budgets have begun to stabilise. Sport Australia's ongoing AusPlay data continues to show that participation in organised community sport remains below pre-pandemic peaks for many codes, though there are bright spots in sports like padel, touch football, and women's AFL.
On the volunteer front, there has been some positive movement. Several state governments have introduced volunteer support programs and recognition initiatives, and organisations like Volunteering Australia have pushed for structural reforms to make it easier for people to contribute in flexible, short-term ways rather than committing to year-long committee roles. Whether these initiatives are filtering down to the average suburban footy or netball club is another question.
Fundraising technology has arguably been one of the more meaningful improvements available to clubs. Digital platforms have lowered the barrier to running effective fundraisers without needing a large volunteer team to pull them off.
Ready to fundraise for your club?
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One of the most persistent themes from the ASF report was that clubs are not raising enough money, and that traditional fundraising methods (sausage sizzles, trivia nights, and raffles) are increasingly hard to organise and often deliver diminishing returns. Volunteer burnout from running these events was a recurring complaint.
This is where smart, low-effort digital fundraising tools are making a genuine difference for forward-thinking clubs. Running a [Lucky Squares fundraiser](/how-it-works) online, for example, requires a fraction of the volunteer hours of a traditional event, can reach supporters well beyond the local area, and keeps the fun and community spirit that makes fundraising worthwhile in the first place.
If you are unsure about permit requirements for running a grid-style fundraiser in your state, our [raffle compliance guide](/raffle-compliance) walks through the rules jurisdiction by jurisdiction so your club stays on the right side of the law.
What Clubs Can Do Right Now
While systemic change takes time, there are practical steps club administrators can take today to ease the pressure:
Audit your volunteer roles. Break large committee positions into smaller, time-limited tasks that are easier for busy people to say yes to.
Diversify your fundraising. Do not rely on one or two big events. A mix of small, regular fundraisers throughout the year is more resilient.
Go digital where you can. Online fundraising tools reduce the admin burden and can reach a wider audience of supporters.
Communicate your impact. Members and sponsors are more likely to contribute when they understand what their money actually achieves for the club and the community.
Lean on your national body. Many peak bodies have resources, templates, and grant programs that smaller clubs simply do not know about.
Start Fundraising Smarter with Lucky Squares Australia
The pressures facing Australian sports clubs are real, and they are not going away overnight. But clubs that embrace efficient, community-friendly fundraising tools are giving themselves a genuine advantage. Lucky Squares Australia was built specifically to help community organisations raise more money with less effort, so your volunteers can focus on what they love: the sport and the people.
Ready to take the pressure off your next fundraiser? [Start your Lucky Squares campaign today](/fundraise?register=1) and see how easy it can be to get your community behind your club.
References:
Australian Sports Foundation. (2023). Clubs Under Pressure. Retrieved from https://asf.org.au/resources/blog/clubs-under-pressure
Sport Australia. AusPlay participation data. Retrieved from https://www.sportaus.gov.au/ausplay
Volunteering Australia. (2024). State of Volunteering in Australia. Retrieved from https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org
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