The RSL & Services Clubs Association is about to launch a club-focused Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and will ramp up a decade-long mentoring program in a bid to assist RSL club leaders. It comes in the face of the lingering effects of Covid shutdowns with some already-struggling RSL clubs now hit with added labour, logistics and produce costs, adding increasing pressure to venues already under the pump.
CEO of RSL & Services Clubs Association Margot Smith says identifying the financial struggle early and seeking help is key to surviving the struggle.
“We recently launched a mentoring program and will be launching a club-focused Graduate Certificate in Business Administration,” Margot says. “We’re supporting the industry to raise the bar on leadership, including financial and commercial knowledge.”
Recent RSL clubs to have shut include Monto & District RSL Club in Queensland and the former Narrabeen RSL Club in Sydney which is now up for lease. Meanwhile, the former Concord RSL is being redeveloped by the Croatian Club and the redundant Bomaderry RSL Club site on the South Coast has been sold to developers. Several other RSLs are on the amalgamation path.
In addition to the certificate and the mentoring program, the association is also offering a wealth of assets to assist those RSL clubs facing an uncertain future. Among them are strategic partners Russell Corporate and Banktech, which both offer affordable RSL club-specific financial solutions.
Banktech, which offers cash and digital payment systems, also recently entered into a new three-year agreement with the RSL & Services Clubs Association until 2025, continuing an already decade-long partnership.
“Our member clubs need insights into the latest industry developments and to be connected with strong organisations such as Banktech,” Margot said. “We are delighted to bring a longer-term partnership with the Banktech team to our network.”
Henry Kiwarkis, Banktech’s general manager of sales, says the Association is paving the way in both industry advocacy and education.
“Banktech is continuing to present new technology to the club industry and it’s important that we partner with an equally progressive organisation.”
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