Cash Poor, Time Poor, People Poor: How are sports clubs meant to survive in 2026?

The Problem With Annual Membership Models (And What Might Work Better)

Community sport is built on passion but sustained by structure. In this episode, Coco and Toby join us for an honest conversation about the realities of leading and operating grassroots sports clubs today. From volunteer fatigue and rising costs to governance gaps and operational pressure, we explore what is really happening behind the scenes in community sport and why the clubs that will thrive over the next decade are the ones willing to evolve. We discuss: • The hidden workload carried by a small group of volunteers • Why culture alone does not future proof a club • Financial sustainability and the importance of creating margins • Leadership at grassroots level and how it needs to change • Balancing tradition with modern expectations • What separates clubs that stagnate from those that grow Participation in sport remains strong. Demand for community clubs is high. Yet many organisations are under increasing strain. This episode looks at the structural and cultural shifts required to make clubs more resilient while preserving the community spirit that makes them special. If you are a club leader, committee member, coach, volunteer, or someone invested in the future of grassroots sport, this conversation offers practical insight into what sustainable community sport actually requires.

Cash Poor, Time Poor, People Poor: Inside The PLAIbook

In this Inside the PLAIbook episode, we unpack the key themes from our recent conversation on why community sports clubs are often cash poor, time poor and people poor. We move beyond the big ideas and into the execution. This episode explores:x$ • The financial metrics every club should understand • The hidden revenue leakage affecting grassroots sport • Why non profit organisations still need healthy margins • How subscription based membership models stabilise cash flow • The cost of fragmented systems and manual admin • The role of automation in reclaiming volunteer time • Why community and kindness are long term growth levers For committee members, coaches and club leaders looking to modernise operations and build sustainable growth, this is a practical blueprint for the year ahead.

Cash Poor, Time Poor, People Poor: How are sports clubs meant to survive in 2026?

Community sports clubs are doing vital work, but many of them are quietly struggling. In this conversation, Scott sits down with Prantik Mazumdar to unpack a hard truth most clubs avoid: sport may be community-driven, but it is still a business. And when clubs don’t treat it like one, they burn out volunteers, leak money, and slowly disappear. Drawing from decades of experience across sport, entrepreneurship, and technology, Prantik and Scott break down: • Why “not-for-profit” thinking is hurting community clubs • How clubs unknowingly lose up to 14% of revenue every year • The real reasons volunteers burn out, and how technology can give them time back • Why knowing your numbers matters as much in sport as it does in startups • How clubs can build sustainable revenue through memberships, merchandise, digital tools, and micro-sponsorship • Why emotion, access, and community are a club’s biggest untapped assets This is not a theoretical discussion. It’s a practical, honest look at how community sports clubs can survive, modernise and grow, without losing their soul. Whether you’re a club committee member, coach, volunteer, parent, or someone building in sport or community spaces, this conversation will challenge how you think about sustainability, money, and leadership.