The Niagara Sport Commission has launched a collection of services to help Niagara's sport clubs generate revenue from corporate partners, granting organizations, and advertisers. "Revenue generation is a key issue for local sport clubs" says the Sport Commission's Director, Scott McRoberts, "especially with rising facility costs and increased financial strains on families". The Niagara Sport Commission is committed to supporting sport clubs in their efforts to provide quality programs to the residents of Niagara, and to bid for, organize, and host sport tournaments, meets, and events. "Assisting clubs to access sustainable sources of revenue beyond registration fees is a priority" says McRoberts, who has been working with local sport clubs to design and build a collection of services. "These services can be tailored to the specific needs of each sport club, tournament, meet, or multi-sport event" explains McRoberts, who championed efforts to bring web-based services like on-line registration, game scheduling, and individual team websites to Niagara's sport clubs and events through a partnership with LeagueToolbox.

"The set-up of LeagueToolbox is great because the clubs are in the driver's seat" states Laura Corbett, the co-manager of the upcoming FISA World Rowing Masters championship that is being hosted in Niagara in September. "The Commission is instrumental in helping with this event", says Corbett, "by providing web-based services, corporate sponsorship plan, expertise for event hosting, and specific services like volunteer recruitment that are all included in the Toolboxes."

The Sport Event Toolbox was designed to meet the needs of clubs that host sport events in Niagara. Clubs such as the Niagara AcroCats, which brought over 800 athletes, coaches, and officials to Niagara this year, see the benefits of a coordinated effort to attract corporate partners and to generate revenue for local clubs."Sport clubs struggle to attract corporate sponsors" says Stephanie Mallett, chairperson of the Niagara AcroCats. Mallet emphasizes that sport events pay dividends for our hotels, restaurants, and attractions, "but a coordinated effort is needed to ensure longer-term benefits for our local economy and for the children who participate in sport."

Elite Soccer Development will be among the first clubs to use LeagueToolbox in Niagara. According to the league's technical director, Clayton Rosario, his club will save more than 2000 volunteer hours, have improved risk management, and parents will benefit from the on-line registration and improved communication with coaches.

Sport clubs and events can learn more about LeagueToolbox by clicking here to read more , or phone 905-354-5557.