This season, most of us will have noticed an increase of playing fees from this time last year. Unfortunately, Ramblers has not been immune from the inflation pressures that we’ve all been experiencing over the last year. Whist inflation is on the way down, most of our fees are set annually so it can catch us in the following year. This year, we’re all receiving a 7% increase across all age groups.
Our Ramblers Committee work hard to keep costs to a minimum and we do this keeping our expenses to a minimum and within tight limits. This can come at the cost of some flexibility, like playing in two teams at no additional costs, or having a longer training session each week or providing free uniforms.
As the season is not far off starting, I would like to provide everyone a clear view of fees, and where the money goes so here’s a breakdown by percentage. If anyone wants to see this in further detail, happy to share it with you. I’ve spent a lot of hours over the past 6 months redeveloping the spreadsheet and I’m happy to show it off.
It’s also worth noting that in the last quarter of 2023, Ramblers was provided the opportunity to have our process for calculating fees, how we budget etc, independently reviewed by a very senior Financial Auditor from one of the Big 4 Accounting firms. The review was successful, and no major issues found. There was a few tweaks and improvements which have all been implemented.
Since this review, Ramblers also had the opportunity to present to the Basketball ACT Finance and Risk Management Committee (FARM) on the financial performance of Ramblers for the past 5 years, and what was install for the future. All the feedback received was positive and complementary.
Fee Table for Winter 2024
| Juniors | Costs | Seniors | Costs |
| U10’s | $315 | Snr Social | $440 |
| U12/14 Division JPL | $435 | SPL Div 1 | $475 |
| U16/19 Division JPL | $475 | SPL Div 2 | $475 |
| All Other Divisions | $385 |
Fee Calculation
We calculate our fees based on the following assumptions:
- 8 players per team
- 1 hour of training per week
- 2 teams training per court
- volunteers get a $50 discount
- families with multiple children playing get a discount
- there’s an end of season celebration and awards
Here’s an example of the cost breakdown in percentages. It will vary slightly been the various groups but not by much.
| Basketball ACT | 63% |
| End of Year Celebration | 2% |
| Committee Fixed Costs | 4% |
| Volunteer Discounts | 2% |
| Training Venue Hire | 25% |
| Profit | 4% |
Committee fixed costs includes the annual financial audit to meet our legal requirements. Then there’s bank fees, and the cost of having Xero for our finances etc. The balance of 4% ‘profit’ will go towards covering any fines received from forfeits, or not showing for duty etc. Also, if any of the above assumptions don’t hold true, that flows directly to the bottom line.
Please email Treasurer@Ramblers.net.au for any questions.