URGENT UPDATE: The Hawkesbury Sports Council model is being hailed as a potential game-changer for struggling local sports clubs across Australia. As thousands of clubs battle waterlogged fields and broken lights, this community-driven approach offers a beacon of hope.
For over three decades, the Hawkesbury community has effectively managed its sporting facilities through the Hawkesbury Sports Council, established in 1993. This unique model empowers local clubs and user groups to make immediate, informed decisions about their sporting environments, ensuring that issues are addressed swiftly and effectively.
Current conditions in many parts of Australia reveal a troubling trend: local sporting clubs are often left without essential maintenance and support as funding is diverted into broader council budgets. However, in Hawkesbury, the Sports Council receives an annual allocation of 1.35 million AUD directly from the Hawkesbury City Council and keeps all rental fees, reinvesting them into 40 sporting facilities.
“Every dollar parents and clubs put in comes back out in the form of better turf, lighting, and amenities,” said David Bertenshaw, President of the Hawkesbury Sports Council.
This model eliminates bureaucratic delays that plague traditional council-run systems, allowing for quicker responses to urgent needs such as unplayable fields or damaged lighting. When issues arise, the Sports Council acts immediately, bypassing lengthy approval processes that can stall critical repairs.
The impact of this model extends beyond logistics. Community sport plays a vital role in health, inclusion, and social cohesion. By prioritizing local input and ownership, the Hawkesbury Sports Council fosters a sense of pride and accountability among its 53 member clubs.
“The Hawkesbury Sports Council shows there is a better way. By entrusting local sporting communities with responsibility, we can safeguard the future of community sport,” Bertenshaw emphasized.
Local leaders, including Hawkesbury Mayor Cr Les Sheather, advocate for this model to be adopted across Australia. They argue that it represents not just an alternative but a necessary evolution in how community sports are managed.
“If we are serious about making sport accessible, affordable, and sustainable, then the Hawkesbury model should be adopted far more widely,” Mayor Sheather stated.
As sporting facilities nationwide face deterioration and funding challenges, the urgent call to action is clear: other councils must take notice of the Hawkesbury model. With participation in community sports declining in many regions, implementing this approach could reverse the trend and revitalize local engagement.
In summary, the Hawkesbury Sports Council offers a proven, efficient, and accountable blueprint for community sport management. The successes of this model over the past 30 years demonstrate that when communities are empowered, the outcomes benefit everyone involved.
Authorities are now encouraged to explore and adopt similar frameworks, to ensure that local sports clubs across Australia can thrive, maintain infrastructure, and provide vital opportunities for youth and community members alike.
