Fairness and transparency in the operations of Icelandic sports clubs
The Town Council today approved the pending operating and service agreements with twelve sports clubs in Hafnarfjörður. The new agreements emphasise equality, the same basis for calculations, and a distinction between the social aspects of the clubs and the traditional running of buildings and pitches. The operations of sports clubs in Hafnarfjörður are thriving, and the cornerstone of their operations is a strong volunteer effort. The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður hopes that this support will further strengthen the robust sports work.
The City Council today approved the pending operating and service agreements with twelve sports clubs in Hafnarfjörður. The clubs are Badminton Association of Hafnarfjörður, Gymnastics Club Björk, Dance Sport Club of Hafnarfjörður, Gymnastics Club of Hafnarfjörður, Sports Club Fjörður, Golf Club Keilir, Golf Club Setbergs, Sports Club Haukar, Hafnarfjörður Boxing Club, Hafnarfjörður Swimming Club, The Riding Club Sörli and The Sailing Club Þytur.
In mid-2015, a report was published which analysed the City of Hafnarfjörður's then-current contracts with the sports clubs, compiled the city's contributions to sports clubs, and made a comparison with neighbouring municipalities. The report's findings revealed a lack of transparency and inequality in payments to the sports clubs, and therefore it was recommended in the report that new, transparent contracts be drawn up with an emphasis on equality. the same criteria for calculations and to separate the social aspects of the clubs from the routine operation of buildings and pitches. There was a desire for the operating costs of the facilities that the sports clubs run for the City of Hafnarfjörður to be analysed separately. Geir Bjarnason, the Sports and Leisure Officer for the City of Hafnarfjörður, has borne the brunt of this project, along with Andri Ómarsson, a project manager in the administrative department. They have met with representatives of all the clubs and reviewed operational figures and ways to meet the specific needs of all the clubs. The first project was to entrust the Björkurnar with the management of the Björkurnar Sports Centre, and this agreement has brought the Björkurnar various opportunities that enhance the quality of their internal work and improve the club's operations.
Emphasis is placed on the quality of service and on adhering to established quality standards.
Service agreements have been renewed with all these clubs that offer children's activities for 50 or more children regarding the service the club provides in the municipality. This primarily concerns the service for children and how the municipality will pay the club for that service. The clubs are categorised into eight main groups and receive a different grant, which depends on the number of members aged 0-18. The contribution from the City of Hafnarfjörður is intended as support for the club to offer organised sports coaching for children and young people in Hafnarfjörður and to cover the running of its office. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the service, and the City of Hafnarfjörður and the Sports Federation of Hafnarfjörður will monitor compliance with the quality standards set out in the agreements through consultation meetings between the parties. However, operating agreements have been renewed with several sports clubs for the operation of facilities. These are Fimleikafélagið Björk and Bjarkarhúsið, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar and Kaplakriki, the sports club Haukar and Ásvellir, Hafnarfjörður Boxing Club and Driftarhúsið, Keili Golf Club and Hvaleyrarvöllur, Setberg Golf Club and Setbergsvöllur, the Sörli Riding Club and Sörlastaðir, and the Þyt Sailing Club and Þyt's clubhouse at 88 Strandgata. The clubs operate the facilities for the City of Hafnarfjörður, staff the buildings, handle the procurement of operating supplies, carry out part of the maintenance and keep operations running for those who attend fitness classes and take part in sports training.
The health town of Hafnarfjörður
Sports club activity in Hafnarfjörður is flourishing, and the cornerstone of the clubs' operations is a strong volunteer effort. The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður hopes that the support will further strengthen the work. Children in Hafnarfjörður today have an extremely diverse range of sports clubs and disciplines to choose from, and so there is a constantly increasing chance that more children than ever before will find a worthy sport or pastime to take up. The Healthy City of Hafnarfjörður has the overarching goal of improving the well-being of its residents. Increasing support for sports clubs and giving them the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for the management of facilities will hopefully enhance the quality of the clubs' internal operations.