Less than 12 months after recording all-time high participation numbers, Basketbal Ballarat is facing income losses of up to 85-per cent as a result of COVID-19.
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However, Basketball Ballarat chief executive Peter Eddy is confident the organisation has the cost infrastructure in place to ride out the financial storm caused by the global pandemic.
Eddy said the organisation moved quickly to minimise operational costs by shutting down competitions, and ultimately, its licensed Minerdome Sports Club. The moves saw 30-plus staff stood down and services closed indefinitely.
He said by acting decisively as soon as it became obvious that a closedown was inevitable, the organisation had given itself the best possible chance to maintain a sustainable business for the long term.
"With such strong government leadership and with all the people we deal with in the community that have shown such tremendous good will, it is clear that everyone understands we are all in this together and need to work cohesively to get through this difficult time," he said.
"The unknown factor here is the uncertainty of how long the closedown will last."
Eddy said Basketball Ballarat immediately reached out to partners and stakeholders to suspend services, as well as establish payment plans to meet ongoing costs such as utilities and insurance.
While businesses have been able to maintain support, many members have been unable to do so.
"We see it as very important that we continue to maintain a relationship with our members and families throughout this closedown period and to provide a free service to our players, referees, coaches and their families so they have the option of enhancing their skills," he said.
"I am very confident that if we keep engaged with our members and are well organised, we have every opportunity to resume where we left and build from there."
Basketball Ballarat fielded 500 teams in the 2019 championship season, marking an an all-time high for domestic basketball in Ballarat. The surge coincided with the inaugural NBL1 season which saw the Ballarat Miners finish atop the competition table.
Eddy said he was overwhelmed by how well the local community and business sector had come together in these tough times.
"It reinforces my belief in what a great place Ballarat is," he said.
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