Sporting clubs in Queensland are losing millions of dollars to fraud, with police investigating several cases. PIC: Mark Calleja Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
SPORTING groups across Queensland are losing millions of dollars in fraud and financial mismanagement.
As tens of thousands of junior players sign on this weekend for the next season of league, rugby, soccer, AFL and netball, senior police are warning that tough economic times make clubs tempting targets for fraudsters.
And an expert in policies and procedures for sporting and community organisations says fraud and financial mismanagement is rife.
Detectives are investigating several cases in Queensland, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The biggest include the Emerald Junior Soccer Association in central Queensland and the Western District Netball Association in Brisbane.
Police confirmed that a 31-year-old woman was charged on Monday with stealing $177,385 from the Soccer Association and would appear in the Emerald Magistrates Court on March 12.
Barry Morssinkhof, president of the Western District Netball Association, confirmed police had been called in to investigate "an alleged fraud".
The Sunday Mail understands up to $250,000 is involved in the complaint.
Meanwhile, Brisbane City Council is negotiating with Cannon Hill Netball Association over the repayment of a $38,000 grant for court repairs that were not done.
President Vicki Raine said the incoming committee called in police to investigate finance concerns two years ago but no charges resulted.
And Wynnum "Bugs" rugby club on Brisbane's bayside has revamped its financial mechanisms after the disappearance of $95,000 two seasons ago.
Police inquiries ended when a former club official died.
Queensland Police fraud and corporate crime group head Detective Superintendent Brian Hay could not comment on specific cases but said a shortage of volunteers for committee roles, combined with a lack of skills and proper management and auditing mechanisms could leave groups perfect prey.
He said the risk rose in times like this.
"When you have significant economic stress, people sometimes take desperate actions . . . Someone might seem such a lovely person that you could never imagine them doing something like that. But fraudsters are called conmen for a reason - they can be skilled communicators and very personable and win your confidence."
He urged all non-profit groups to tighten financial controls.
"Don't worry about hurting someone's feelings that you are going to have their books audited. All organisations should have good due-diligence procedures and people in those roles should welcome those processes."
Vicky Roofayel, director of RSC Solutions which provides consultancy and training to non-profit groups, said: "There's no doubt there is fraud in sports and community organisations. Some clubs have been badly burnt. I've been doing this for close on 29 years and I've done a lot of crisis management in the last five years. Clubs are seriously struggling. I know of a club ripped off twice, eight years apart, in north Queensland."
Ms Roofayel said some fraud was planned but "in some cases they are just doing what they think they're entitled to. They can't afford the extra costs involved in the role - phone bills, petrol and so on - and recompense themselves".
But she said 99 per cent of club problems were mismanagement caused by a lack of skill and controls.
Books were sometimes in such a mess it was impossible to work out if money had been stolen. "One organisation is $280,000 in the red - no-one even knows if there is fraud involved."
She said "0.01 per cent" of organisations had good selection processes for appointing volunteers and more should look at buying in such services.
"They are lucky to get three people to go on a committee, let alone finding someone with the right skills.
"Committees are elected by popular vote - if you are the only applicant the club has, the club has to take you unless you have a criminal background and clubs usually would not know that."
Wynnum Bugs president Damien Cleary said the sense of betrayal created by allegations of theft from within was a big blow for any club, but they could get through it with a loyal membership.
"It's been a roller-coaster ride. There was a lot of anger at the start and then there was suspicion but we've been able to rebuild.
"The big lesson is to have a good strong committee and we were lucky to get (financial) help from a member. Lots of financial procedures have been improved to ensure we do not go through this again."
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