Keystone Sporting Solutions

29/03/2026

Yesterday I had the privilege of delivering two workshops at the Riverland 2026 Gamechanger Conference – and what a fantastic day it was.

A huge thank you to Travis O'Shaughnessy and the organising team for bringing together such a passionate group of community sporting leaders, and to all the clubs who attended and contributed so openly to the conversations. Thank you to Sport SA and the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing for funding such a valuable event.

I had the opportunity to run sessions on Succession Planning and Child Safety, two areas that are critical to the long-term sustainability of our clubs.

What stood out most across both sessions was clubs are incredibly committed, but they are also navigating increasing complexity.

In our Succession Planning Workshop, we explored the unique challenges faced by regional clubs particularly the reality of smaller volunteer pools and how that impacts leadership continuity. We also unpacked some common perceptions around succession planning and how to reframe the conversations.

A big theme that resonated was “role creep", how some volunteer roles grow over time, often becoming too large and ultimately contributing to burnout. Breaking roles down through simple task audits sparked some great discussion and practical ideas.

In the Child Safety Workshop, it was clear that while many challenges are shared across clubs, every environment has its own unique risks. For example, water-based sports bring an added layer of responsibility when it comes to keeping children safe.

What I loved most was the willingness in the room to engage, share experiences, and support each other. That’s what makes community sport so powerful.

I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations and supporting clubs to build stronger, safer, and more sustainable futures.

29/07/2025

Succession Planning: Keeping Clubs Strong Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond

Ensuring the future of our sporting clubs means planning for today and tomorrow. Last night I facilitated a Succession Planning Workshop for community sporting clubs, hosted at the excellent facilities of North Eastern MetroStars Soccer Club.

The session brought together dedicated presidents and vice presidents to explore how clubs can prepare for smooth leadership transitions. We looked at why succession planning is so important, and how practical steps - like developing clear role descriptions and documenting key processes can reduce stress and keep clubs moving forward.

We also discussed how to normalise succession as a routine part of club life, rather than a crisis response. Succession planning isn’t just about replacing people - it’s about ensuring the club continues to grow and thrive, even as leaders step down or move on.

Clubs left with tools to begin shaping their own succession plans, helping to build a pipeline of future leaders and protect the club’s legacy for years to come.

A big thank you to Steven Marotti and Paul Zimny from City of Port Adelaide Enfield for organising the event, and to all the clubs who engaged so openly in the discussion.

20/06/2025

Honoured to be part of a remarkable panel this week for the relaunch of Play by the Rules - making sport inclusive, safe and fair (PBTR).

Having been involved with PBTR since 2001, I’ve witnessed a profound shift in awareness and impact over the past 24 years. It was truly inspiring to hear from fellow panel members - each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the conversation about the future of this vital resource.

A big thank you to Tom Dixon, National Manager, PBTR, and fellow panel members:
• Kate Jenkins AO, Chair, Australian Sports Commission
• Dr Paul Oliver, Acting Deputy CEO, Sport Integrity Australia & PBTR Co-Chair
• Lorraine Finlay, Australian Human Rights Commissioner & PBTR Co-Chair
• Peter Downs, former National Manager - PBTR
• Glenn Cooksley, Executive Director, Cre8ive

What resonated most with me is that PBTR has consistently stayed true to its core purpose - serving as a trusted and valuable resource for sporting clubs. Its commitment to integrity, respect, and inclusion remains unwavering.

Looking forward to seeing all the incredible things PBTR will continue to achieve. Here's to a future of safer, fairer, and more inclusive sport!

04/03/2025

I had the pleasure of facilitating an Attracting and Retaining Volunteers workshop for the Northern Sport and Recreation Network, hosted by the City of Salisbury, South Australia, last night at the Bridgestone Athletics Centre. It was inspiring to see a diverse array of sports clubs of different sizes coming together to share insights.

One of the key topics we explored was volunteer recognition. We discussed how different strategies resonate with different clubs. For instance, what works for a small community club may not be effective for a larger organisation with over 500 members. This variance underscores the importance of tailoring recognition efforts to the specific needs and scale of each club.

For larger clubs, in particular, having a well-defined volunteer recognition plan—and the corresponding budget—is crucial. A structured approach not only fosters consistency but also ensures that volunteers are valued and appreciated, preventing their recognition from being overlooked.

A big thank you to James Catterall for organising this valuable event and to all the clubs that participated.

21/09/2024

What a great night at the Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League. Two very close matches with SA winning both the men's and women's games against Victoria. Thanks Sevanah, Karla and the team at Volleyball SA for the great event

27/08/2024

Conflicts of Interest in sporting clubs. How can we manage them? Check out my latest blog "Navigating Conflicts of Interest in Sporting Clubs: A Five-Step Guide for Fair Play" to find out more.

I recently presented a workshop for an association where we talked about Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts of interest in sporting clubs can be tricky to navigate but are crucial to maintain transpa…

04/08/2024

Check out my latest Blog Post "Don't be a Blobfish: Why your Constitution Matters". Why do we need a constitution for our sporting clubs? What is the difference between your Constitution and your Bylaws? How do you review your Constitution. Read my article to find out this and more.

What a strange statement you say? Let me explain, a blobfish doesn’t have a strong skeleton, instead it has soft cartilage and relies on water pressure to hold its shape together. For sporting club…

10/07/2024

I recently read 'The Other Shadow' by Tania Ingram, a powerful book that tackles tough topics like grief, trauma, mental health, and also the foster care system through the eyes of young Thomas. While 'The Other Shadow' is aimed at middle-grade readers, its thought-provoking themes and relatable characters make it a valuable read for anyone who works with or cares about children.

One particularly poignant aspect of the story stood out to me: the transformative power of sport in providing a sense of belonging especially for children. Despite facing challenging circumstances, Thomas find solace in sport, which become a source of connection and community.

This resonated deeply with me, as it highlights the universal truth that sport has the ability to bring people together, regardless of their background or personal struggles. In a world where kids may feel lost and alone, sport can be a lifeline, offering a sense of belonging and purpose. I highly recommend 'The Other Shadow' for all who work with children. It has definitely given me new insight.

Tania Ingram
https://shop.scholastic.com.au/Product/100134004/The-Other-Shadow

Shop at The Scholastic Store for the best books for children, educational resources for kids, crafts for kids, teachings resources and more. All purchases earn Scholastic Rewards for your nominated school. The Store, The Store, THE OTHER SHADOW, Thomas, death, mental, health, losing, loved, one, dea...

26/05/2024

Spent the afternoon facilitating a strategic planning workshop for my former club, Norwood Bears Volleyball Club, where I played and served on the committee back in the 1990s. It's incredible to see how the club has evolved and grown over the years, now one of the leading clubs in South Australia. I'm honoured to be part of their journey and contribute to their future planning. Thank you to Lachlan and the dedicated committee members for their invaluable contributions today.

21/05/2024

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
A huge thank you to all the volunteers in our sporting clubs! You're the ones who keep our canteens running, our teams on the field, and our clubs thriving. Without your hard work and dedication, we wouldn't have the community sport we love. Thank you for all that you do!

14/05/2024

I was delighted to run a workshop on "Attracting and Retaining Volunteers" for the Northern Sport & Recreation Network last night. The event drew 70 registrations, from 30 clubs, across six councils. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Modbury Bowling Club and their volunteers for hosting us and providing dinner.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for clubs to gain insight into recent research on sport volunteers and the evolving volunteering landscape. We discussed the challenges faced by clubs, explored the need to think differently about volunteers, and shared practical strategies as clubs started to build their Volunteer Strategy.
I would like to thank Michelle Atkinson from the City of Tea Tree Gully for organising the event, as well as all the attendees who contributed to the discussion.