The Presidents from 32 sporting clubs came together recently, with Board members and staff, for the 2025 Sporting Club Presidents’ Forum. The forums are held each year to consider the major issues impacting on clubs, sport and the University.
This year the forum was held on the week after National Volunteer Week and the theme was "Connecting Communities" which was very fitting to celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions of our club and volunteers . The Board Chair Ian Marshman opened the forum, welcomed the newest clubs Figure Skating, Triathlon and Judo and acknowledged the great work of the many club volunteers and leaders in the room. The forum included presentations on the Sport Strategic Update from the Director Tim Lee (summary provided below), the Governance and Operational Review from Catherine Burnheim, and the Mountaineering Club Strategic Plan from Club President and Board member Jess Vinnicombe and a Sport4All presentation and workshop delivered by the City of Melbourne Inclusion Coach, Johnny Boland. Many in attendance remained to enjoy some light refreshments and discuss the challenges and opportunities that each face. The presentations have since be made available on the Club Resources webpage.
The Director launched the 2024 Highlights video that captures the achievements of the student-athletes, sporting teams and clubs and the impressive range of programs and services offered across the University. Last year MU Sport set the ambitious target of one million visits, getting very close with 950,000 visits thanks to the great work of the clubs, just short of the previous best year in 2019. The Director acknowledged the contribution of the long standing club volunteers who received Distinguished Service Awards, Tim Heathcote from Touch, Emily Rose from Hockey, Greg Longden Boat and Tony Brain Athletics.
The Director thanked everyone who participated in the review of the strategic plan for sport last year which was endorsed by the Board in November and will be launched shortly. Issues continuing to impact on the University and Sport include the caps on International student enrolments and cost of living for students The Victorian Government Change our Game will impact on equal opportunities for all students and staff regardless of gender or other characteristics. Student and staff remain the remain the ongoing priority with the target 1 million student and staff visits again this year. The University approved a significant investment in two projects in the Sports Precinct including the College Arch in late 2023 but work continues to ensure that additional sport infrastructure is included in the University Capital Plan and that the University manage and coordinate the relationship with the City of Melbourn and the State Sports Trust to secure ongoing access to external facilities.
The design for the Sport Precinct refurbishment has commenced after the University committed $15M to the concept proposal early in the year. The project will encompass refurbishment of the oval, athletics track and synthetic field along lighting upgrades with work to commence in January next year subject to the University releasing funds for construction. Design information sessions involving clubs, colleges, students and staff will commence shortly. The closure of the East Stadium since January has been disastrous for clubs and programs but the floor replacement will finally commence early June with work to be completed in early October.
An independent Review of the Club Funding Model Club and Support Services will take place this year to provide a more transparent and equitable funding and an improved support services model. Information will be provided to all clubs on opportunities to contribute to the review.