Music Festivals: A New Way for Sports Clubs to Raise Funds
A growing number of local sports clubs are turning to hosting large music festivals as a way to generate additional income. This new approach is proving to be a successful way for clubs to raise much-needed funds to support their activities.
The Benefits of Hosting Music Festivals
For many sports clubs, hosting music festivals can provide a significant boost to their income. The Melksham Town Football Club, for example, is expecting to generate 15-20% of its annual income from the Wiltshire Throwback Festival, which it is co-hosting with the Melksham Rugby Club. Adam Young, chairman of Melksham Town FC, explained that the festival will be a big bonus for the club, especially during the summer months when there are fewer people attending matches.
Community Engagement and Fundraising
The Wiltshire Throwback Festival is not just about raising funds for the sports clubs; it’s also about engaging with the local community. The festival will feature a lineup of popular artists, including Liz Mitchell from Boney M, and is expected to attract up to 3,000 people per day. The Corsham Rugby Club is also hosting a family music festival, Corfest, which will raise money for the club and local charity organizations, including Dorothy House Hospice and Corsham Food Bank.
The Challenges of Hosting Music Festivals
While hosting music festivals can be a lucrative venture for sports clubs, it’s not without its challenges. The clubs have to rely heavily on sponsorship and volunteers to make the events a success. Aaron Brailey, chairman of the Melksham Rugby Club, explained that it’s incredibly difficult to keep the club running, but events like the festival provide a much-needed boost to their income.
Planning for the Future
The success of these music festivals has encouraged the sports clubs to plan for future events. The organizers of the Wiltshire Throwback Festival are already in the early planning stages for next year’s event, and the Corsham Rugby Club is expecting to continue hosting Corfest for years to come. As Jim Williams, chairman of the Corsham Rugby Club, explained, these events are essential for the club’s survival and provide a great opportunity to engage with the local community.
A Win-Win Situation
The partnership between sports clubs and music festival organizers is proving to be a win-win situation for everyone involved. The clubs get to raise much-needed funds, the local community gets to enjoy a fun and entertaining event, and the festival organizers get to showcase their talents and build their reputation. As Nico Menghini, co-director of the festival organizers Jarboom, explained, the approval of the festival license is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, and they are already looking forward to next year’s event.
