Homes away from home: Registered clubs as leisure providers for older people living in the Tweed Heads region of Australia

Abstract

• In Australia licensed clubs provide a contemporary context for many older people' s leisure experiences. This study explored the way in which three clubs in the Tweed heads region of New South Wales cater for older people' s leisure needs. Participants comprised 40 club members aged 65 years or more, together with two aged-care/welfare professionals and two local residents affiliated with the National Seniors Association. Information was collected via focus groups and interviews. Findings suggested that clubs attract older people because they offer diverse activities that are enjoyable, affordable, and conducive to health. Older people value the social interaction found in clubs and believe clubs provide respite from domestic pressures. Their criticisms of clubs largely concern unresponsive managers and staff, unsatisfactory facilities, and the despoliation of valued amenities by poker machines. Overall, clubs appear to be a valuable resource for older people who often confront the transitions of later life with limited economic and social resources.

Attracting and retaining club members in times of changing societies: The case of cycling in Australia

“…One explanation for the lack of strategies in this study may be that clubs focus on the promotion of sport and not on the social aspects of sport consumption. Increasing the number of social events at the club and the promotion of social interactions should meet the needs of the growing population groups that are typically underrepresented in clubs (i.e., older people, females; Hanlon et al, 2010;Patford & Breen, 2009). Given that members of cycling clubs are willing to spend lots of money on their sport (Wicker, 2009), there is the opportunity for clubs to generate income from social events.…”

“…For example, females were found to value the social aspects of the sport environment as well as a professional instructor with technical knowledge (Hanlon, Morris, & Nabbs, 2010). Older members also value the social interaction in clubs (Patford & Breen, 2009). A number of barriers to participation were identified for people with disabilities including accessibility of facilities, programming, as well as staff attitude and abilities (French & Hainsworth, 2001).…”

Feasibility evaluation of a pain self-management app-based intervention among older people living with arthritic pain: study protocol

“…Prospective participants will be sought from various older people’s club/associations/groups, including Facebook groups across Metropolitan and Regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This approach of recruitment is considered because many older Australian utilize their free time keeping active and participating in leisure activities by engaging in social clubs [30]. With over 60% of community-dwelling older Australians involved in a social or support group [31], members of older people-specific social clubs and organizations are expected to be a fair representation of the target population of this project.…”