Staff retention and facilities key for sport sector

SportWest chief executive Troy Kirkham says those within the sport and recreation industry in WA are doing all they can to retain quality staff and maximise facility rationalisation. 

With cost-of-living pressures and FIFO employment rising, Mr Kirkham told Business News talent retention was imperative in order for it to remain competitive.

“We are really trying to make sure that we are retaining key individuals, administrators and volunteers, within the sector,” he said. 

“That’s always a big challenge. Particularly in WA when you’re in a mining state, where some of the salaries you can get for FIFO (work).

“It’s one of those things we really need to be mindful of as an industry that we’re still retaining the people that we need to retain within the sector.”

However, a document due to be released soon could aid this process.

“We’ve got a remuneration and benefits report that we do every couple of years,” Mr Kirkham said. 

“We’re just in the final stages of finalising that now with CCIWA, so that’ll be a good one for the industry as well about where the benchmarking is around salaries and benefits for the industry.”

During last year’s SportWest annual WA Sport Industry Conference, the ability for AI to play a greater role in assisting with tasks and potentially reducing both volunteer burnout and workload was discussed in great detail.

Mr Kirkham said it was a hot topic throughout the sector. 

“It’s definitely one that I know a lot of the sports are asking us a lot of questions about as well,” he said.

“They’re looking to get educated and make sure that they stay at the forefront of AI advancements.

“So that’s definitely something that I know the industry is keen to explore and we’ll continue to support them on that.”  

The importance of facility rationalisation has increased over the past decade, due to not only to a rise in population, but also greater focus in providing quality facilities for both male and female players at junior and senior level.

“Some of the big challenges which sit there are still infrastructure,” Mr Kirkham said.

“Making sure we have the right infrastructure in place or rationalising the infrastructure and using it in the right way – not falling into models of delivery that are almost within the past.”

Later this month, SportWest will also host the 2025 WA Sport Awards at Crown Perth, with the event having been held for almost seven decades.

“It’s the preeminent sport awards within WA – and the fact that it recognises everyone from grassroots club level right through to our international and Olympian performers week-in, week-out… it’s one of those awards where you almost pinch yourself because you’re involved with it,” Mr Kirkham said.