Evolution of sports clubs in Catalonia from 2009 to 2015

Year: two thousand fifteen
Promoting entity: Catalan Sports Observatory
Study document:
• Evolution of sports clubs in Catalonia from 2009 to 2015

Subject of study
Analyze the situation of sports clubs and associations in Catalonia in 2015, updating the diagnosis carried out in 2009 and identifying the evolution of the main aspects related to their structure, operation, and management.

Key evidence
• More than 90% of Catalan sports clubs have fewer than 500 members, confirming the predominance of small-sized clubs.
• A greater professionalization of management is observed, with an increase in paid staff, although volunteerism remains a fundamental element of the clubs’ operations.
• Member dues continue to be the main source of income, supplemented by public grants and other funding sources.
• The clubs remain heavily dependent on municipal facilities, which reinforces the role of city governments in the development of sports activities.
• Compared to 2009, there is an observed evolution in management models, with greater planning and adaptation to new economic and organizational challenges.

Application
It serves as a diagnostic tool to understand the reality of the associative sports fabric in Catalonia and to guide the design of public policies, support programs for sports clubs, and strategic planning initiatives in the sports sector.