Basket Case Clubs

The grant application isn't the hard part. Having the right plans in place for the project is. In this episode, Michael and Steve unpack the key lessons from the recent Grants and AI workshop delivered as part of the City of Moreton Bay Community, Sport and Recreation Training Series. They challenge the common "what grants can we get?" mindset and explain why successful organisation...

In this episode, we kick off our brand-new Breaking Point Mini-Series and we’re starting with a hard truth: from the outside, community sport looks like it’s thriving… but underneath, the pressure is building. Participation is strong. Facilities are full. Everything appears to be on track. But behind the scenes, volunteers are carrying more than ever before. We’re talking about: The growing burden...

In this supercharged episode of Basket Case Clubs, we unpack the real-world governance issues hiding inside club constitutions. From outdated rules and confusing membership structures to weak dispute processes and governance gaps, this conversation dives into the common constitutional pitfalls that can quietly create risk for clubs and community organisations. Drawing on practical examples, consti...

In this episode, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of breaking down a basket case, we’re going behind the scenes of something built right from the ground up… the brand new Western Sydney University Student Union. Michael is joined by Richard Martino (WSUSU) and CPR Group’s own Nathan Butcher to unpack what it actually takes to design a modern student union - one that reflects busy,...

You don’t own your facility, you’re its custodian… and it’s your responsibility to leave it better than you found it for future generations. In this episode, Steve and Michael dive into the often-misunderstood world of facility management for community clubs and not-for-profit organisations, unpacking what clubs really need to know to manage their facilities effectively. Building on the recent Fac...

Most volunteers don’t quit dramatically. They slowly disengage and disappear. It usually starts small. A little less engagement in meetings. Cameras off. Phones out. Then missed meetings. Then fewer messages. Before long, they’re gone and committees are left wondering what happened. In this episode of Basket Case Clubs , Michael and Steve explore the subtle warning signs committees often miss befo...

In this episode of Basket Case Clubs, the Basket Case Bros dive into one of the most misunderstood roles in club governance... the Vice President. Ask five committee members what the Vice President actually does and you’ll probably get five different answers. For many clubs, the role has become a legacy position with no clear purpose, leaving volunteers feeling undervalued or stuck picking up ever...

In this supercharged episode of Basket Case Clubs, we’re sharing the full recording of one of our most popular webinars, where we break down strategic planning that actually works for clubs. Strategic planning isn’t about ticking a box, chasing grants or producing a glossy document that gathers dust. Done properly, it’s your organisation’s roadmap, helping committees stop firefighting the urgent s...

In this supercharged Basket Case Clubs episode, we’re bringing you the full replay of one of our popular 2025 webinars, all about scaling your club and maximising the use of your facilities. If you’ve ever felt stuck between ‘just surviving’ and actually thriving, this one’s for you. Michael breaks down what growth really looks like for community clubs and not-for-profits, and spoiler alert, it’s...

Multi-use facilities sound great on paper… but in the real world? They can turn into absolute basket cases if they’re not set up and managed properly. In this supercharged webinar episode, we’re bringing you a recording from one of our sessions in 2025 on maximising multi-use facilities, and more importantly, avoiding the conflicts, politics and power struggles that so often come with them. We dig...

In this episode of Basket Case Clubs , Steve is joined by CPR Group’s Matt "Macca" McEwen to unpack the real-world challenges of people management facing community clubs and not-for-profit organisations. Building on the recent People Management workshop delivered as part of the City of Moreton Bay Community, Sport and Recreation Training Series, this episode dives into what’s really happ...

In this Supercharged Episode, we’re sharing our popular webinar Navigating Club Legal Requirements.  A clear, practical guide to understanding your club’s key legal obligations. Running a club involves far more than fixtures and training. From governance and financial duties to tax, fundraising rules, safety requirements and member protection, there’s a lot clubs must get right. In this session, w...

In this Supercharged Episode, you're getting to experience one of our most practical and popular webinars - Powerful Meetings, Powerful Results . Meetings have a reputation for being messy, meandering and way longer than they need to be. But in this session, we break down exactly how to transform your meetings from time-draining talkfests into focused, efficient, decision-making engines. From...

Woohoo! Thanks for joining us for our 100th episode . What a journey it’s been! In this milestone special, Michael and Steve celebrate triple digits the only way they know how: by taking a blowtorch to the 10 biggest myths keeping clubs stuck, stressed and spinning their wheels. From the classic “That’s how we’ve always done it” to the dangerously common “If we raise fees, everyone will quit,” the...

In this special episode of Basket Case Clubs , Michael and Steve unpack some of the key questions raised during and after the recent Governance workshop in the City of Moreton Bay Community, Sport and Recreation Training Series . From defining your management committee to balancing governance and operations, this episode is packed with practical answers to the questions that matter most. The Baske...

In this episode, Michael takes us on a journey through one club’s transformation from being a Basket Case Club to Showcase Club. This story proves that real growth isn’t just about more members or bigger facilities. It’s about strong governance, solid finances and the patience to build firm foundations before chasing the big dreams. You’ll discover how this club went from compliance issues and fin...

In this episode of Basket Case Clubs, Michael takes us back to a weekend planning workshop that was going brilliantly... until one life member pointed to the “elephant in the room” and stopped everything in its tracks. From unpaid rates to unspoken tensions, Michael unpacks why clubs must deal with their elephants early, whether it’s money, governance, facilities or even people who’ve outstayed th...

In this Supercharged Episode, we’re plugging you straight into another one of our most popular webinars - Strengthening your Club’s Constitution . Constitutions often get a bad rap: they’re seen as dry, complex and best left untouched. But in this session, we break them down into simple, practical terms. From busting the “not-for-profit means no profit” myth, to clarifying legal obligations, gover...

In this Supercharged Episode, we’re plugging you straight into one of our most in-demand sessions of the year - our Community Leasing webinar.  We dive deep into the messy, political and often misunderstood world of community leasing - from sweetheart deals and legacy leases to the fear-driven decisions that hold councils back. You’ll hear how clubs can better engage with councils, why good system...

In this episode of Basket Case Clubs , we’re bringing you the full audio from our recent workshop on Unlocking Club Funding . Being grant ready is more than just filling in applications. It’s about strategic planning, good governance and telling your club’s story in a way that stands out. This session walks you through the vital steps to prepare your club for grant success. From aligning your visi...

In this episode, the Basket Case Bros reveal one of the easiest ways to instantly boost your club’s professionalism… drum roll please … getting your very own club email address! Michael and Steve share real-life stories about why it’s time to ditch the free Gmail or Hotmail accounts (we’re looking at you, president62tigers@gmail.com and hotshotsecretary@hotmail.com) and make the switch to a profes...

In this episode, Mick is joined by Michael Fisher, a man who lives and breathes inclusivity in sport. From welcoming environments to genuine connection, they dive into what it really means to be an inclusive club (hint: it’s more than just a buzzword and a grant application). They unpack powerful real-world stories about the magic that happens when conversations start from curiosity and respect. I...

In this episode, the Basket Case Bros tackle the most overlooked part of your club’s constitution — the objects. You know, the bit that’s meant to explain why your club exists, but usually ends up a word salad of vague intentions and outdated buzzwords (or outdated terms that really should’ve been ditched many revisions ago…). Michael and Steve unpack why great objects matter, how to write them wi...

What do you do when you inherit a club role and the only thing left behind is a bag of crumpled receipts and a dodgy login? In this solo episode, Michael dives headfirst into the glorious mess that is club handovers — or more accurately, the lack thereof. From missing passwords to vanished presidents, it’s no wonder every new committee feels like they’re reinventing the wheel. Whether you're...

AGMs don’t have to be long, loud or legally risky... but let’s be honest, they often are. In this episode of Basket Case Clubs , the Basket Case Bros are diving into how to run a successful AGM (and avoid the chaos they've seen firsthand). From confused constitutions to chairpeople losing control, Michael and Steve unpack how things go off the rails and how to keep them on track. If your club...