New findings from the 2025 National Sport Club Survey (NSCS) reveal that the rising cost of sport is now one of the most significant challenges facing community clubs and families across New Zealand. Compared to pre-COVID, the number of community sport clubs now reporting financial deficits has doubled, with rising costs for facilities, insurance, and general operations putting pressure on budgets, with fewer clubs breaking even.

Financial pressure (both for clubs, and as reported by Kiwi households more generally) may also be contributing to growing concerns about participant behaviour, with around one-third (33%) of clubs reporting problems with "inappropriate" or "concerning" verbal behaviour during sport activities, while one-fifth (21%) cite issues with physical behaviour. A significant number of clubs (15% overall) say that incidents or poor behaviour have increased in the past five years, with some sports, such as netball, reporting a particularly sharp rise.

You can read the full Media Release by clicking here.