2Oct

SPORTING CLUB NEWSLETTER 2ND EDITION

BLOG, COMMUNITY NEWS | 2 Oct 2026 |

AROUND THE GROUNDS:
A BANKSTOWN SPORTING CLUBS NEWSLETTER
July 2026 Edition

WELCOME

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Around the Grounds, a monthly newsletter dedicated to supporting and enhancing the sporting clubs across the Bankstown community. This publication aims to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, and best practices, enabling clubs to learn from one another, celebrate achievements, and foster continuous improvement.

As this initiative evolves, we welcome and encourage your feedback on the topics and content you would like to see featured. Your input will play an important role in shaping the direction and value of this newsletter.

We invite you to explore the articles highlighted below, many of which are discussed in greater detail on our website’s Blog Community.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

Grant Opportunity

Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program:

Key information
• Grant amount: Up to $3,000
• Application opened: 7 August 2026
• Application closes: 7 October 2026, 1:00 pm

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program is aimed at providing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and associated equipment to NSW sport and active recreation facilities and clubs.
An AED is a device that is used in conjunction with Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and delivers a controlled shock to an individual experiencing cardiac arrest, increasing their chances of survival.

Find Out More

Grand Final Glory

Our associated clubs have delivered an incredible season, with championship teams across football, netball, rugby league, hockey and basketball all claiming Grand Final success.

From junior competitions to senior premierships, these achievements are a testament to the dedication, teamwork and community spirit that drive our sporting family.

Grand Final Winners List:

Bankstown Bruins: Eastern Conference Champions (Women's)
Bankstown Sports Hockey Club: U10, SEHA Women
Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League: U14/1, U14GLT, U16GLT
Bankstown Sports Netball: 11A, 15/16A, 14B
Bankstown Sports Stars FC: U14/2, U12 Ladies
Baulkham Hills FC: U12G/2, U14/4, AAL/2 Red, O35/2 White, O55/1 Blue
Baulkham Hills Hawks: U14/2 Smallacombe, U15/1 Hills Phoenix
Baulkham Hills Hockey Club: U18 Div A
Baulkham Hills Sports Netball Club: 12C1 Royals, A3 Brodies
Birrong FC: U15/2
Birrong Sports Netball: Div 4 Ladies

Volunteer Spotlight: Harry Ross

Harry Ross is the kind of volunteer every community club dreams of having.

Since joining Bankstown Sports Strikers FC in 2019 as a supporter of his grandson's team, Harry has become a coach, mentor and trusted volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond for players, families and fellow volunteers.

Over the past year, Harry spearheaded a partnership with Sydney FC, helping secure a fully funded development program that benefited more than 250 junior players and 42 volunteer coaches and managers. The initiative provided professional coaching, mentoring and valuable development opportunities across the club.

Away from major projects, Harry is often the first to arrive and last to leave, assisting with field set-up, fundraising activities and supporting anyone who needs a hand. His commitment remained unwavering even while recovering from two major knee operations.
More than anything, Harry's positive attitude, leadership and genuine care for others have helped create a welcoming environment where players can thrive both on and off the field.

Thank you, Harry, for the incredible contribution you continue to make to Bankstown Sports Strikers FC and our wider sporting community.

“60 seconds with” – Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League Club:

What’s been your club’s biggest win this season?

Our biggest win this season has been the incredible success of our teams, with three out of our four Grand Final teams winning premierships. It was a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for our entire club. It showed the hard work, commitment and dedication of our players, coaches, volunteers and families throughout the season.

What’s been your biggest challenge this season? How did you tackle it?

Our biggest challenge was managing the record number of teams at our club. With so much growth came the challenge of finding coaches, trainers, managers and volunteers and making sure every team received the support they needed. We tackled this by working closely together as a committee, bringing new people into important roles and making sure everyone worked as one team. It was a huge effort, but our strong club culture helped make it possible.

Who’s an unsung hero at your club who deserves a shoutout?

Without a doubt, Bill Najjar. Bill has worked incredibly hard behind the scenes all season and is always willing to step up whenever the club needs him. A lot of what he does may not always be seen by everyone, but his commitment, reliability and passion for Bankstown Sports have made a massive difference this year. He deserves a huge shoutout.

What’s something you’ve done to attract new participants or volunteers?

Social media and our strong community connection have played a massive role. We built a strong foundation the year before, and this season we continued showcasing what our club is about — family, community, development and giving kids the opportunity to play rugby league. Our existing families and volunteers have also been some of our greatest ambassadors, helping spread the word and welcoming new people into the Sporties family.

What are your goals heading into next season?

Our goal is to continue growing while maintaining the strong culture that makes our club special. We want to go from our record 34 teams this season to 40+ teams next season. But it’s not just about numbers — we want to keep developing our players, coaches and volunteers, continue growing our girls’ participation, strengthen our community and make Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League an even better place for every child and family involved.

Monthly tip (CLUBMAP):

Volunteer Recruitment
5 Steps to Recruit Volunteers

Appoint a Volunteer Coordinator to manage recruitment, support volunteers, and oversee the program.
Share your organisation structure so volunteers can clearly see roles, responsibilities, and commitment levels.
Use volunteer education resources to train and prepare volunteers for their roles.
Provide Position Descriptions for all roles to outline responsibilities and time commitments.
Explore volunteer funding opportunities, including paid volunteer programs, to reduce committee workload and strengthen volunteer capacity.

Paid Volunteer Program (55+)

Eligible people aged 55 and over may receive up to $19,200 per year through a JobSeeker-supported volunteer program.

Key benefits:

No limit on the number of paid volunteers per organisation.
Suitable for job seekers and early retirees.
Funding can support one or multiple roles.
Hours can be split across multiple organisations.
Approved participants no longer need to meet standard JobSeeker mutual obligations.
Participants must contribute 30 hours per fortnight.

Finding Volunteers

Internal (Warm Leads)

Promote opportunities through social media and member databases.
Engage with existing members and supporters.
Identify members' skills and occupations to match them with suitable roles.

External (Cool Leads)

Advertise on volunteer websites such as:
- Seek Volunteer
- GoVolunteer
- Centre for Volunteering
Build partnerships with local universities and TAFEs to attract students seeking work placements or community experience.

Key takeaway: A successful volunteer program requires clear leadership, defined roles, volunteer training, and proactive recruitment through both existing networks and external channels.

Useful Link
MPIO Training: Member Protection Information Officers

SPORTING CLUB NEWSLETTER 2ND EDITION

BLOG, COMMUNITY NEWS | 2 Oct 2026 |