On the Road Again!

This week started off with a trip down to SS&A Albury for the Riverina and South West Regional Meeting, followed by a wonderful dinner at the Club. It was fantastic to catch up with everyone — a big thank you to CEO Gerard Darmody and his team for hosting us all. 

On Tuesday, I was back up in Sydney for the Eastern Metro Regional Meeting at The Juniors Kingsford, and of course on Wednesday I was cheering on the NSW Blues as they defeated the Queensland Maroons and secured the 2024 State of Origin trophy. What a result!

As you may have heard on 2GB Breakfast with Ben Fordham this week (if not you can catch up here), 15 of the 17 players in the NSW Blues State of Origin team for the decider were supported in their junior footy days by their local registered club. For example, Dylan Edwards and Zac Lomax played for the Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies and the Temora Dragons — sponsored by the Urunga and Temora bowling clubs respectively — and Bradman Best donned the Woy Woy Roosters jersey in his young days, supported by Ettalong Diggers. It’s something our industry should be very proud of. 

The Origin celebrations didn’t carry on too late, as on Thursday morning I was awake bright and early to travel up to Ballina RSL Club for the Far North Coast Regional Meeting (combined South and North). Yesterday also saw ClubsNSW host a webinar to update the industry on the latest net trust index results, obtained through recent public polling. If you missed it, you can watch it online here.

Today marks two weeks in my new role as ClubsNSW Chair, and I look forward to covering more ground in club land soon. Late last week I sat down with the ClubLIFE.com.au team to discuss some of the key issues currently facing clubs, as well as my background in the industry. You can read about all of that here.

A few quick reminders for clubs this week:

• Liquor and Gaming NSW is proposing additional vibrancy reforms which you can read about here. There is a very short time frame to respond to the proposed changes and ClubsNSW would appreciate your feedback to support our submission. Please email your feedback to ClubsNSW Policy and Industry Advisor Chanel Beynon at [email protected] by COB next Wednesday, 24 July.
   
• The NSW Government is seeking expressions of interest in joining the 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council and clubs are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Expressions of interest close at midnight on Tuesday, 23 July 2024 and you can find out more here.
   
• Liquor & Gaming NSW is hosting a virtual ‘RSA on the Frontline’ training session next Tuesday, 23 July at 10am for one hour which is designed for all frontline staff — particularly those who are new to the industry. You can find out more and register your staff here.

Have a lovely weekend!