New research has sparked concerns about the future of smaller sporting clubs, especially those in rural communities.
Rising costs and falling revenue is pushing almost one in five community clubs to the brink of collapse.
Research also reveals one in four community clubs have seen a decline in new registrations amongst 15 to 19-year-olds.
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Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Foundation Patrick Walker says sporting clubs are the lifeblood of regional communities and are in urgent need of support.