Since 2007 the Sport and Recreation Alliance has conducted a survey every two years in order to understand the financial health, membership make-up, facility usage and upcoming opportunities and challenges for community sports clubs.

The results presented in the 2011 survey are based upon responses received from 1,942 sports clubs across over 40 different sports. The data has been independently analysed and weighted to deliver a representative sample of the estimated 150,000 clubs that operate in community sport in the UK. Some of the headlines are below and you can download the full report for the 2011 Sports Club Survey here.

• Since 2008, the average club surplus has fallen by almost half (45%) to £1,091

• More than one in four clubs (28%) are running at a loss whilst 23% are balancing their income and expenditure to just break even

• The average annual club income in 2010 was £35,736. This is 15% lower than in 2008 when it was £41,937

• Local authority and educational establishments provide 73% of all hired sports facilities

• Adult membership levels have declined 11% since 2008; average adult membership in 2011 stands at 104 members per club compared to 117 in 2008. In 2011 there is an average fee of £76 per adult member - 9% higher than in 2008

• 84% of clubs do not see the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as an opportunity and one in ten clubs see no upcoming opportunities at all

• 20 volunteers are involved in the running of an average club but volunteer retention is an issue for one in two (53%) of sports clubs

• two in three clubs are concerned about recruiting new members (64%) and almost the same amount view accessing funds (63%) and generating sufficient income (61%) as a concern

The information gained from the survey supports our lobbying work and allows us to campaign on behalf of our members and sports clubs on a wide range of issues including licensing costs, improvements to the CASC scheme and access to facilities.

For more information on the 2011 survey, or to register interest for the 2013 survey, contact Research and Evidence Officer, Syann Cox. The 2009 Sports Club Survey can be found in our research archive.