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SPORT & COMMUNITY
Chairman's Report - John Murray OAM
On behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to offer you the 62nd Annual Report for Bankstown Sports. I’d like to take this opportunity to once again recognise the passing of Douglas Shedden and Alex Fulcher – both valued Directors of Bankstown Sports. Additionally, condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of long-serving and highly valued staff member, Jaqueline Ayers.
While 2020 will be recorded as one of the most challenging years for our organisation, I am so incredibly proud to report that Bankstown Sports has recovered from the 10-week shutdown, bruised but leaner.
Bankstown Sports has continually sought to place our staff, members and community at the heart of every decision.
When drought struck our country – we continued to source local and support Australian farmers, producers and businesses.
When the bushfires ravaged through much of Australia, particularly the South Coast of NSW, our team, staff and members collaborated to support those in need.
And on Monday 23 March 2020, as our doors closed due to COVID-19 Government restrictions and over 500 of our highly valued and well-respected staff were stood down – we all stepped up to ensure that everyone was supported by the kindness, camaraderie and determination that makes us family. There has also been the recent announcement from the Salvation Army Corp, wherein chaplaincy services have been removed from many outlets, including Bankstown Sports with our officer, Shane Mount. We thank Shane for his commitment and service, and trust he will be served well with his future endeavours.
This year has been a challenge, but it has also provided an opportunity for Bankstown Sports and associated venues to refocus, reposition and ensure that we are set up for a long-standing future. I sincerely thank my fellow Directors, our CEO Mark Condi, the Executive Management team and our team of dedicated staff – without your commitment, perseverance and willingness to serve our members, 2020 could have proven even more challenging.
Together we will continue to make a difference for many years to come.
CEO's Report - Mark Condi
This year has been incredibly hard for our country, the awful bushfires in December/January, floods in February and now COVID-19. This year has been about resilience from both our community and our staff - what strong people we are.
In February 2020 we launched our ‘South Coast Pale Ale’ brewed in our Basement Brewhouse, with all proceeds going towards supporting south coast clubs who had suffered through the awful bushfire season. We went from supporting these amazing community focused clubs, to having to focus on saving our club during the COVID-19 shutdown.
In December 2019 our Executive Management team sought to make some progressive and forward-thinking changes for Bankstown Sports. While this was an incredibly challenging and difficult process, it ensured our entire team was able to demonstrate strength, business-minded leadership and determination to place the best interests of our staff, members and our community at the heart of all we do.
This process resulted in expense redirections and operative changes that will make a drastic impact on our organisation’s success, setting us up to ensure we can continue to make a difference in our community. We’ve made hard decisions, lost some incredibly valued staff and had to reposition some of our offerings. We hope to see the benefit of this process deliver return for many years to come.
However, communicating the implications of the Government enforced closure of our industry to the staff of Bankstown Sports and our associated venues was one of the biggest challenges I have faced as CEO. Standing down our valued team prior to the announcements of official Government support left me feeling helpless. Seeing Bankstown Sports completely vacant of members was also heart-breaking. Pouring my whole career into Bankstown Sports, I knew it was not the end, and ultimately our organisation is just a small part of the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19 that unfortunately still rein for many organisations globally.
As we re-opened on 1 June 2020, I was so proud of our staff. We have an incredible team that demonstrated our new Culture Value Focus, each bringing with them a can-do attitude, a willingness to be a team player, ready to surprise and delight our customers. This renewed focus represents how we bring people into our organisation, how we each work together and how we will continue to deliver a difference to the community we serve.
As hard as this year has been, I am so grateful for the opportunities it has provided us all. I am part of a team who do not take working for Bankstown Sports for granted – to be part of our organisation is a privilege, and I thank each and every one of our staff and members for contributing to the Bankstown Sports momentum.
Our Difference in the Community
2020 has offered unprecedented times for all. Optimistically, this year has provided an opportunity to consider the value of clubs within their local communities – especially as the South Cost was ravaged by fire and drought.
Bankstown Sports was able to contribute ClubGRANTS Emergency Relief to Regional NSW - $100,000 was provided directly to South Coast clubs affected by the 2020 Bushfires. These clubs used the funds to provide emergency relief to their community, cover the cost of utilities, staff wages, cleaning and food.
Below is a summary of the support provided to nine clubs across the NSW South Coast;
- Bodalla Bowling Club ($20,000)
- Merimbula RSL Club ($5,000)
- Mollymook Beach Bowling Club ($10,000)
- Moruya Bowling Club ($5,000)
- Pambula Merimbula Golf Club ($10,000)
- Sussex Inlet RSL Club ($10,000)
- Tathra Beach Country Club ($5,000)
- Tomakin Sports ($25,000)
- Tumbarumba Golf Club ($10,000)
Additionally, Team Rubicon (since renamed to Disaster Relief Australia) was granted $50,000 towards the “Litres for the Land” drought relief efforts. Team Rubicon have been working closely with ClubsNSW and regional and rural communities across NSW to deliver water to drought affected areas.
Bankstown Sports and associated venues are grateful to have been able to support others in need.
Sport Community
- We recognise the passing of Keith Vallis, a significant contributor to the sporting clubs in Baulkham Hills and the founding chairman of the original venue at Baulkham Hills.
- Our annual contribution to sport was over $580,000 in cash funding and over $200,000 of in-kind support.
- Our Sports Network boasts 47 grassroots sporting clubs engaging over 1,000 volunteers and some 10,000 participants.
- In 2019/20 we witnessed growth in female participation in football both on-field and in volunteer roles off-field.
- Our Sports Network members received enhanced child safety training, were upskilled in the areas of managing social media and fundraising, and successfully utilised the industry’s relaunched ClubGRANTS Online system.
- We continued to provide Xero software subscriptions to all eligible clubs and launched a new online platform for volunteers to access sports administration resources.
- Our Ted Horwood Reserve Working Party was successfully granted funds to improve walking tracks, lighting and signage for the benefit of the greater community at Ted Horwood Reserve in Baulkham Hills.
People & Culture
Our People
2019/2020 proved a difficult year for our people. In March 2020, all 563 staff members were stood down after the Australian Government shut down hospitality venues amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the community.
Staff were without their jobs for 10 weeks or more. As disheartening as this was, it was pleasing to see our staff community come together to support one another, the club, and our broader community.
Our Difference
Immediately after shut-down, our chefs and kitchen teams volunteered their time to pack up food and donate hampers to staff members in need. An OzHarvest truck was also loaded up with fresh produce to support some of the most vulnerable members in the community.
1 June 2020
It was fantastic to see so many of our staff members back at work on 1 June ready to serve our members and community. We emerged from the 10-week shut, having lost 82 staff members in a workplace restructure. It was a very difficult time for our organisation and our people.
Looking Forward
Our team members are now being cross-trained and skilled up more than ever to ensure we are adaptable and efficient in a post-COVID world. We have re-focused our training approach and revisited our values engaging each of our 481 staff members to deliver an exceptional customer experience for our members and visitors.
Associated Venues
This year, our associated venues have experienced several managerial changes on account of workplace restructure.
Associated venues provide variety for our members and allow for our upcoming talent to be nurtured through their growth and development.
David Hills has deservingly been placed in a newly formed role as Area Venue Manager – actively working with the Venue Managers to support their operative and business needs. 2020 has also seen:
- The appointment of Tony Choueifati as Venue Manager of Bankstown Sports Bowls Club
- Maria Pizanias welcomed into the position of Venue Manager of Baulkham Hills Sports
- The progression of Yvette Mosses as Venue Manager of Birrong Sports Club
- Vince Bruning moved to Auburn Tennis Club to shape its projection as a leading associated venue
- The Acres Club under the insightful leadership of Joanne Hall as Venue Manager
We congratulate the team on all appointments and recognise the contribution of the associated venues towards the wider direction and momentum of the Bankstown Sports group.
Membership Changes
This fiscal year has seen many changes to the Bankstown Sports membership offering. Not only have all venues increased focus on strengthening membership value, but the collective goal of reaching 100,000 members has also been achieved.
In late 2019 when the NSW Government introduced digital licences as being a valid form of entry into clubs, Bankstown Sports swiftly integrated digital licence scanning and encouraged the method as a quick means of membership registration.
Internally developed membership kiosks have now been placed at all Bankstown Sports entry points. Enabling seamless membership purchase via a licence scan, the system has literally converted membership registration into an intuitive, self-led process that takes only a few moments. There are seven kiosks at Bankstown Sports due to the venue’s high volume of visitation. The Acres Club also features one kiosk as the venue has been identified as a premium opportunity for membership conversion. More kiosks are to come across the group.
Delivering more value to members of Bankstown Sports and associated venues has never been more relevant. This year Bankstown Sports introduced discounted member pricing at every venue-operated restaurant and bar. Membership prices have also been reduced; $5 for one year, $10 for 3 years and $15 for 5 years. Increased digital communication options for members seeks to drive efficiency and relevance, as well as delivering environmental benefit with reduced paper consumption.
Remaining relevant and embracing opportunities for change have also extended to QR ordering within many of our restaurants across Bankstown Sports and The Acres Club. While customers find this service valuable, efficient and controlled, it also allows staff to focus more time on customer-centric service.
Additionally, many restaurants are now also available for online ordering – external to the venue. Not only does this service diversify the Bankstown Sports offering by extending takeaway services, it ensures that that valued customers can experience a taste of Bankstown Sports from the comfort of their home.
All the changes to membership within the past year reflect in the changing profiles of members. With 33% of new members under the age of 35, and the average age of a Bankstown Sports member being 41, it’s highly evident that these enhancements are introducing Bankstown Sports to a new generation, sustaining the ability of the club to deliver to the local community.
Sustainability
Bankstown Sports is committed to being a highly sustainable organisation and aims to lead the way in environmentally friendly initiatives. Significant time and resources are invested into sustainable options for every operative area of the club, ensuring responsible management of energy and waste now, and into the future.
In 2019 Bankstown Sports introduced a food waste processing system to reduce the organisation’s environmental impact. The ORCA breaks down organic food scraps, converting them into trade wastewater which is then treated and recycled.
ORCA operates at Bankstown Sports 24 hours a day and can be fed every 1-2 hours. This fiscal year the ORCA was able to divert 29.03 tonnes of waste which equates to a decrease of 55.17 tonnes of Co2 being produced.
Bankstown Sports has also installed 1,332 Sunpower Solar Panels in a bid to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint and environmental impact while also offering a significant cost reduction.
So far results show that on weekdays 98.37% of energy generated by the solar panels is consumed on site, and weekends represent a consumption of 95.7%. Remaining energy is exported to the grid – contributing to offset the consumption of others.
Investment in sustainability sis adding value to the ongoing community benefit of Bankstown Sports.
Flinders Centre Bankstown
Being a beacon of Bankstown and one of the greatest reflections of Bankstown Sports to date, Flinders Centre Bankstown offers premium opportunities and office space to the local community.
While the tower is yet to be completely tenanted, the positive impact of the business precinct can be seen via commercial progression of the local Bankstown area, as well as patronage to Bankstown Sports in otherwise off-peak periods. St.George Bank, ANZ and Coverforce are just a few of the businesses that rent positions in the tower, benefiting from the on-site childcare, UFC Gym and direct access to Bankstown Sports.
Whole floors are available for lease via JLL and Ronis Real Estate, however, Flinders Centre Bankstown is also home to shared office space, Regus.
First established in 1989, Regus is one of the original pioneers of flexible workspace, helping businesses choose a way of working that’s best for their people. Now spanning the world with over 3,000 locations, Regus’ global network of bright, inspiring workspaces allows modern businesses to work where, when and how they want, in a more agile way.
Regus Bankstown provides affordable office rental on flexible terms. Combining coworking space, bookable meeting rooms and virtual office capabilities with 24-hour access, CCTV, parking, business-quality WiFi and admin support, Regus Bankstown focus’ on facilities while smaller businesses and start-ups concentrate on their operations.
With the swift changes in the business and economic climate of 2020, Regus Bankstown offers flexibility and responsive space solutions that will aid many in navigating the unprecedented business needs of today and beyond.
The wholistic offering of Flinders Centre Bankstown ensures it is an immediate asset to the local community, as well as security for many local businesses for tomorrow.
Supply Chain
Bankstown Sports takes a great deal of pride in their suppliers – not just in the produce that can be sourced and collaboratively created, but also in the ability to support a variety of businesses and form valuable lasting relationships.
In response to the 2020 South Coast Fires, a South Coast burger and beer were especially crafted by Basement Brewhouse. Not only did these items sustainably source produce from the region, but they also served as an opportunity for members of Bankstown Sports to raise funds for fire-affected areas.
Featured on the limited-edition burger was beef mince sourced from the Riverina (Albury – Wodonga area) as well as cheese and Dairymont butter sourced from Bega (NSW South Coast).
Inspired by the NSW South Coast, Basement Brewhouse South Coast Pale Ale was packed with juicy tropical Australian galaxy hops lending aromas of bright passionfruit and citrus, making it super refreshing and easy drinking after a long day.
All proceeds from the Fire Relief Burger combo (burger and pint of South Coast Pale Ale) sold on 1 February 2020 were donated to areas affected by the bushfire crisis. Ongoing, $2 from every pint of the Basement Brewhouse South Coast Pale Ale sold was also donated.
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