Sydney Office Fire - How You Can Help

June 25, 2025 - 12 days ago

Less than a week ago, our Urban Rec Head Office in marrickville burnt to the (almost) ground. We lost it all, equipment, merch, gear, even our famous Party Cart and Kegorator Bin! The new prizing we just ordered, all the t-shirts staff uniforms, the Netball bibs, ALL OF IT. 

But if you’ve played this week, you probably wouldn’t have noticed. And that’s exactly what makes us so damn proud. Our League Managers have pulled off the impossible, keeping leagues running like nothing happened. That’s no small feat, and we’re bursting with pride for how they’ve stepped up in the face of what’s been a pretty traumatic week behind the scenes.

We’ve got a long road ahead. The next six months will be hard, we need to replace 12 years worth of gear, and some of what we lost probably won’t hit us for a while. And before you think “Insurance Job”, think again, we ticked “no” to the section about contents insurance for the office. FML. 

Whats been insanely cool is the members and ex-staff coming out of the woodwork to sish us love and support and we want to say a huge hearfelt thank you to all he community in and arround Marrickville who have made the all a little less shit.

Here’s how you can help:

• Bring us any old Urban Rec gear you don’t need, bags, hats, hoodies, cones, balls, old staff shirts, anything you have, we need. The Cupboards are BARE!

• Buy one of our brand-new commemorative t-shirts for $20 – they’ll be online next week, and only a couple of extra dollars will be added onto the cost and the proceeds go towards helping us rebuild.

• Do the biggest favour of aLl… keep playing sport with us this Winter. Bring a mate. Join as an individual. Sign up for that league you’ve been putting off. Every registration is a vote of confidence and a huge help.

We’re not going anywhere. And with your support, you’ll continue to enjoy social sport as always, whilwe embrace our new minimalist lifestyle. 😂

Much love – Mads & The Urban Rec Crew 🖤🔥

P.s. If you want to follow along, I’m going to be doing a little series on TikTok called. “Diary of a Burnt Office”  so you can see what we have to do BTS to keep thinks ticking along. 

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Why Being Honest About Fun Points Actually Matters

June 18, 2025 - 19 days ago

Let’s get one thing straight - we love a good scoreboard. But at Urban Rec, there’s one column we reckon is way more important than the win/loss tally: Fun Points.

Yep, Fun Points. It might sound a bit fluffy, but hear us out.

Every week, after your game, you give the other team a score out of 5 based on how fun they were to play with. Not how good they were. Not how many goals they kicked, balls they spiked, or shots they nailed. Just… were they legends? Did they play fair, have a laugh, and bring good vibes to the field/court/pitch? That’s what you’re scoring.

So, what’s the big deal?

Well, at the end of the season, we tally up all those Fun Points and the team with the highest score gets the real glory. That’s right, they win a better prize than the team with the most wins. Because we’re not just here to create champions. We’re here to build a community of good humans who love sport and don’t take themselves too seriously.

But here’s the kicker…

Fun Points only work if you’re honest about them. If you’re giving every team a 5 without thinking, or docking points just because you lost, the whole system falls over faster than a half-deflated volleyball.

Being real about Fun Points helps us reward the teams who are out there making the comp better for everyone. The ones who play fair, cheer both sides, laugh off the odd dodgy call, and maybe shout a post-game drink (legends). They're the heartbeat of Urban Rec.

TL;DR?

1. Don’t just hand out 5s like free drink cards.
2. Don’t give 1s just ‘cause you copped a loss.
3. Do think about how the other team made the game feel.
4. Be fair, be real, be honest.

Fun Points aren’t a side quest - they’re the main game. So next time you’re rating a team, think beyond the scoreline. Think about the spirit. Because at the end of the day, we’re all here for the same reason: to have fun, make mates, and play social sport the way it should be.

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Season 3 Priority Registration - Everything you could possibly need to know!

May 26, 2025 - one month ago

🎉 Priority Rego Is Back, Baby – Season 3 Kicks Off Soon

Yep, it’s that time again. Priority Registration is rollin’ back into town — the VIP week where you, our current Urban Rec legends, get first dibs on locking in your spot for Season 3 (2025).

Here’s the vibe:
Priority Rego is your private window to rebook your team before we fling the doors open to the public. Think of it as your “skip the queue” pass — no pushing, no shoving, just your team securing their fave night, time and crew.

⏰ When’s it all go down?

• Your captain will get your team’s one-use rego link at 12pm on Monday 2nd June.

• You’ve got until 12:01pm Tuesday 10th June to register before we open the leagues to the masses.

• After that? It’s Hunger Games.

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What’s On – The Perks & Prizes

💸 THE REFUND GAME

We’re refunding $250 to the first team who pays in full at exactly 5pm (or closest to it) Mon–Thurs during priority week.

• 4:59pm doesn’t count. 5:01pm? Maybe.

• First in, best dressed.

• Refund hits the next day.

🍻 HAPPY HOUR(S)

Register and pay in full between 6pm–7pm, Mon–Thurs, and we’ll chuck you a $50 refund the next day.

• Yes, every team.

• Yes, every night.

• That’s your post-game beers sorted.

🔐 DEPOSIT OPTION

Not ready to commit to the full whack? No worries.
Drop a $250 deposit during priority week to lock in your spot.

✅ GUARANTEED SPOT IN YOUR LEAGUE

Last season we hit 95% capacity across the board. Some leagues sold out in days. Want to avoid heartbreak? Register during priority week. Simple.

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📝 A Quick Note on Waitlists

We’ve added public waitlists to all leagues this season. New teams can chuck their name down during priority week — and if you haven’t locked in by 12:01pm Tuesday 10th, they’ll swoop in and snag the spots.

So yeah, don’t wait.

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We’re pumped to have you back for another ripper season.
Got a curly question or need a hand? Flick us an email at [email protected] and we’ll sort you out.

Cheers,
The Urban Rec Crew

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We're Hiring: League Manager (Contract Role)

May 14, 2025 - one month ago

Are you a people-person who loves sport, thrives on organised chaos, and knows how to lead with a clipboard in one hand and a speaker in the other? We’re looking for a high-energy League Manager to run the show across our winter season—and make sure it's an absolute cracker.

This is a full-time, contract-only role running from Monday 9 June to Friday 1 August (8 weeks). It’s hands-on, people-focused, and packed with variety—from building community and managing operations, to hiring your own crew and hitting the ground running at league nights.

Contract Highlights:

• 📅 Dates: Monday 9 June – Friday 1 August

• 💼 Employment Type: Full-time contract

• 💰 Pay: $70,000 incl. super (pro-rata)

• 🚐 Perks: Access to UR van (manual licence required)

• ⏰ Hours: 11am–8pm Mon–Thurs, Flexi Friday (4-hour workday) (additional felxiblity for the right candidate)

This isn’t your average desk job. You’ll be the engine room of our leagues—recruiting teams and players, running the show on-site, solving problems on the fly, and ensuring every night is a fun, smooth, well-oiled experience for our members.

About The Role

This role is all about leading the charge in building and managing a vibrant, fun, and well-run sports community. You'll be responsible for recruiting teams and players, managing incoming enquiries, and hiring and training your own crew of casual Event Hosts. Operationally, you'll oversee league logistics—everything from gear and lighting to venue conditions—while ensuring every league night runs smoothly and delivers a great experience for members.

You’ll also be the heartbeat of member engagement: attending leagues, running social events and activations, managing incidents or feedback, and keeping communication with players upbeat and consistent. From handling weekly ops meetings to curating the events calendar, you'll play a key role in making the season unforgettable for everyone involved.

How To Apply

Email [email protected] and tell us why you’d be a great fit and to find out more about the role. 

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Season 2 Priority Registration - What you need to know!

March 5, 2025 - 4 months ago

Welcome back for another instalment of Urban Recs Priority Registration, the seasonal gift from us to you.

Reeeaaal simple, Priority Registration is a week where only the teams currently in the league have access to register for the next season (season 2 2025).

During this time we like to offer a coupla rewards and incentives to get your taste buds going and this season is no different.

Your captain will receive your teams private link on Monday 17th March at 12:00pm – The link will expire and the leagues will go live to the public on Monday 24th March at 12:01pm.

Season 2 Priority Registration – What’s on.

• The REFUND GAME – We will refund $250 of the registration fee to the first team to pay in full at/closest to 5pm every day Mon-Thu at 5pm. (4:59pm not accepted – cannot be before 5pm – refund will be processed the followind day)
• Happy Hour(s) – $50 refunded to each team that registers and pays in full Mon-Thu between the hours of 6pm-7pm (Payment to be made in full to receive refund the following day)
• Deposits – $250 deposit for team registrations will be available during priority week.
• Exclusive guaranteed access to your league – We reach 95% capacity city wide last season and 85% of our leagues sold out. This is your chance to guarantee your team isn’t locked out.
• WAITLISTS: This season all of our leagues have public waitlists that will be open during prioirty registration for new teams to register onto during the week, these teams will automatically be transferred into the league and fill the remaining spots at 12:01pm Monday 24^th March.

Cant wait to have you all back!

If you need anymore information or help registering flick us an email at [email protected] and someone will get back to you ASAP!

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2025 T-Shirt Design Competition

November 4, 2024 - 8 months ago

In 2025 we are inviting budding creatives from our club to submit their t-shirt designs for our 2025 exclusive merchandise! In previous years we have had everything from GOAT designs, a Can Man Series, and custom championship designs. 

If you would love to see your designs printed on thousands of shirts across the country, please submit your designs to [email protected]

Design Brief:

• Maximum 5 colours
• Embodies our brand and fun first culture
• Could include messaging about winning (wither fun points or league chavmpions)
• Will look good printed on varying shirt colours
• Opportunity to expand design into a 4 season series
• Something our members will be excited to receive and wear
• Includes the Urban Rec logo and name. 
• Can be double sided printing

If selected, you will need to be able to make edits at management's discretion and direction. 

Entries close on November 30th, winners will receive a $500 Urban Rec Voucher!

Here are some submissions from our head office, think you can do better?

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How You Can Be Involved

January 22, 2024 - one year ago

Access to mental health resources remains a significant hurdle for many young Australians. The stigma surrounding mental health issues can deter people from seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of suffering in silence. This year, we’re ‘changing the game’.

Urban Rec is calling our community to come together in 2024 to support our cause. Here are some ways to help us, “Change The Game”. 

ATTEND ONE OF OUR FREE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION SESSIONS

Each session covers the signs and symptoms of mental ill health, how to start the conversation and how to support an individual going through a mental health challenge. The next session has free tickets available now. 

Donate $50 to get a kid or an adult into ORGANISED sport

Sport is a recreational privilege, we know that. You can donate $50 which will go directly to kids or adults that do not have the money to pay for the access. Urban Rec have started the year by adding 20 vouchers for anyone who needs them. 

Attend one of our charity Tournaments

The next one is happening in Wollongong on Feb 11, The Superbowl Flag Gridiron Tournament. All the proceeds from these Charity Events are donated to OTLR. Plus, you get an amazing day out, in the sun, playing sport!

Get Involved in Mates In March (9k’s in 9 days)

This March we are partnering with OTLR for their initiative, Mates In March. We lose 9 people to suicide each month, this March, walk or run 9 kms for any 9 days during the month. Then, spread the word on social media. 

BUY MERCH FROM OUR ASSOCIATION

All the merch available within our shop goes directly to our Association, raising funds for partner charities or making sport accessible to other minorities. 

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WHAT IS PRIORITY REGISTRATION?

December 1, 2023 - one year ago

Well, quite simply, Priority Registration is one week during the season where existing teams in the league have the ability to re-register for the following season, before the league accepts registrations from the general public.

This season’s priority registration week is Monday December 4th – Monday December 11th. 

Leagues go live to the public on December 12th, meaning you may lose your spot!

• The league will be exclusively open to currently playing teams for 7 days from a pre-determined date. 
• On the first day of the Priority Registration week, the captain of the team will receive a private link via email for them to register with.
• If your team registers during this time we sometimes offer a small thank you in the form of a Captains gift for the hard work they put in.
• 2023 onwards we have been further rewarding our most loyal members with our ROYALTY PROGRAM.

Any Q’s on the Tees & Cees – [email protected]

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Bondi Touch Footy Launches With A Bang!!

September 13, 2023 - one year ago

MATCH REPORT:

Touch Footy Bondi got going this Monday night and it was a screamer!! With fresh faces pouring into the league, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation for the season openers.

TOUCHY SUBJECTS VS HALLA’S ANGELS

Both teams new to touch footy but that didn’t stop them from turning on the fireworks! It was a slow start with both sides trying to stay on their feet, literally! Gotta invest in some studs! Led by their newly appointed fierce leader Richard Hall, they got to work with finding out what they can do on the park.

On the opposite side, Halla’s Angels captain Maeve Holland led her team round the park for them to get their first try through some slick hand movements up the middle of the ruck, scoring underneath the black dot (if there were posts lol). Halfway through the first half they struck again to put themselves up 2 – 0 on the scoreboard. But damn it all if Touchy Subjects (formerly know as “Biden’s Dribblers) weren’t going to take that lying down, scoring just before the half time whistle with some crafty team work.

There were steps, there were slips and there were even a couple of the best pitch invaders you’ve ever seen, dogs! However they weren’t the only ones drooling out there when John Delaney sold everyone down the river with a cracking dummy and strolled over to even up the game at 2 tries a piece.

This was it… the game in the balance… COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH HALLA’S ANGELS!!! A lovely bit of team play caught defenders napping and they got the game winning try. Celebrations were had, babies were kissed, financial debts were cleared (we wish! lol).

At the final whistle, 3 – 2 to Halla’s Angels, starting off their season on the right foot with a win but best of all both teams had smiles on their dials *wipes away tear*. THATS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE!!

Till next time!

Sammy P (clearly a seasoned sports journalist)

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The Women's World Cup Effect: Boosting Interest in Soccer and Netball at Urban Rec Social Sports Club

September 4, 2023 - one year ago

In recent weeks, Urban Rec Social Sports Club has witnessed a remarkable surge in enthusiasm for both soccer and netball. A significant part of this upswing in interest can be attributed to the captivating events that are the Women's FIFA World Cup and the Netball World Cup. We'll delve into how these global tournaments have played a pivotal role in increasing participation and passion for soccer and netball at Urban Rec.

1. Inspiring Female Athletes

The Women's FIFA World Cup and the Netball World Cup have spotlighted outstanding female athletes who excel in their respective sports. The talent and dedication displayed by these athletes on the world stage have captivated audiences, inspiring many more women to take up soccer and netball, socially. 

Urban Rec has seen a surge in female participants who, inspired by the performances of athletes like Mackenzie Arnold and Caitlin Bassett, want to explore their own potential in these sports. The tournaments have acted as powerful catalysts, showcasing that women can thrive in soccer and netball, instilling confidence and motivation in the female players at Urban Rec.

2. Increased Media Coverage

Both tournaments have experienced unprecedented media coverage, making them accessible to a global audience. Television broadcasts, online streaming platforms, and social media channels have brought the games closer to fans than ever before. This surge in visibility has not only increased the viewership but also ignited a passion for playing soccer and netball.

Urban Rec participants, like sports enthusiasts worldwide, have avidly followed these tournaments. The comprehensive media coverage keeps them engaged with the sports, motivating them to participate in Urban Rec's leagues and events, thus boosting interest and membership numbers.

3. Fostering a Sense of Community

The Women's FIFA World Cup and the Netball World Cup have become communal events, bringing fans together to celebrate the spirit of sport. Urban Rec recognizes the value of building a supportive and inclusive community, and these tournaments have played a significant role in enhancing the sense of camaraderie among its members.

For Matilda’s opening game against Ireland, Urban Rec hosted 8 of our members to the stadium in Homebush. Members from Newcastle, Wollongong, and Canberra were in attendance. This event is all about fostering and rewarding our loyal members who regularly contribute to the wider communities they play in. 

4. Advocating Gender Equality

The tournaments have not only showcased athletic prowess but also served as platforms for advocating gender equality and empowering women in sports. The discussions around equal pay, representation, and opportunities in soccer and netball have resonated deeply with Urban Rec members who are passionate about fostering inclusivity and fairness in sports.

These conversations have motivated individuals to become active supporters of gender equality initiatives in the world of sports, thereby enriching the ethos of Urban Rec as a club that promotes a level playing field for all.

The Women's FIFA World Cup and the Netball World Cup have played an instrumental role in elevating the popularity of soccer and netball at Urban Rec Social Sports Club. These global events have inspired female athletes, increased media coverage, fostered a sense of community, and advocated for gender equality in sports. As the enthusiasm continues to grow, Urban Rec stands as a prime example of how these tournaments have sparked a positive wave of engagement and passion for soccer and netball at the local level. As a result, more individuals are not only watching the games but actively participating in these sports, enriching the vibrant community at Urban Rec.

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