Service-learning : a case of providing benefits to all parties

As a result of constrained funding community sport organisations are under increasing pressure to seek external funding to support their programs, equipment, athletes and even organisational survival. Sponsorship has emerged as a key income stream to support both operational and more strategic initiatives Since the pursuit of funding is now integral to many of the roles that are likely to play, it is advisable for students to enhance their sponsorship related skills. This article discusses a service learning-based unit of study that has been developed over four years in partnership with sporting organisations to ensure benefits to all parties. The unit combines blended learning and service-learning, thereby enabling teams of students and managers from community sport organisations to produce a sponsorship proposal and presentation intended to secure a sponsor. Improved student learning and greater community awareness has resulted and evidenced through surveys and verbal communication. Follow up telephone calls to managers five months after the experience indicate enhanced confidence and success in obtaining sponsorships. The prospective sustainability of the service-learning initiative has been provided with impetus through the interest shown by other community sport organisations and a request by a local council to the university to collaborate with five of their sport organisations annually.