Fundraising with Spond: A Game-Changer for Junior Tykes Football Club
For grassroots clubs like Junior Tykes Football Club, fundraising is a constant challenge. Based in Barnsley and celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, the club supports over 240 young players from Under-4s to Under-14s. Raising funds to keep the club thriving has always been a priority. That’s why when Secretary and Founder Paul Görner discovered Spot the Ball from Spond, he saw an opportunity to boost their efforts by fundraising with Spond.
Getting Started with Spot the Ball from Spond
Paul first heard about Spot the Ball through a banner in the Spond app and decided to trial the fundraiser with the club’s Foundation Academy. The goal was to test the effectiveness of fundraising with Spond before rolling it out to the entire club.
“Setting up and managing the fundraiser couldn’t have been easier! The support from both Spond employees and fellow users was fantastic,” he explains.
Once launched, the engagement from members and supporters exceeded expectations.
“Everyone was fully on board,” Paul recalls. “The fundraiser was shared all over Facebook, and the response was incredible!”
Fundraising Success: Raising £1,800 with Ease
The results spoke for themselves. The club raised almost £1,800 from Spot the Ball entrants, a figure that exceeded previous fundraising efforts.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Paul says. “The best part? I was able to sit at home and still raise so much money for the club. Fundraising with Spond has been a godsend!”
The Benefits of Fundraising with Spond
Junior Tykes FC has tried traditional fundraising methods, including raffles and team cards, but Spot the Ball provided a fresh and more efficient approach.
Key benefits included:
- Effortless Setup and Management – The club found it incredibly easy to organise and monitor ticket sales.
- Wider Reach – Thanks to digital sharing, the fundraiser gained traction beyond just club members.
- Full Transparency – Organisers could track sales in real time and see individual contributions.
- Better Rewards for Players – The money raised went directly back into the club, benefiting the young footballers.
Giving Back to the Club
The success of the fundraiser allowed Junior Tykes FC to reinvest directly into their players. Thanks to the money raised, they were able to purchase brand-new hoodies for 60 players and are planning to buy jackets as well.
“Parents are over the moon!” Paul shares. “We’ve already given back to our members, and we’re looking forward to doing this again.”
Why Spot the Ball Stood Out
When asked what he liked most about the experience, Paul highlighted the simplicity and the sense of community engagement.
“Every member got on board, sharing the fundraiser with family and friends. It was so easy to set up and track progress,” he says. “There’s nothing complicated about it, and it just works!”
Final Thoughts: Would They Do It Again?
Junior Tykes FC is already planning to run another Spot the Ball fundraiser in the future.
“This was the first time we’ve fundraised like this, and we’re definitely doing it again!” Paul confirms.
With its ease of use, ability to engage multiple teams, and impressive fundraising results, Spot the Ball from Spond has become a key tool in ensuring Junior Tykes FC continues to thrive for years to come.
Fundraising with Spond: What is Spot the Ball?
Spot the Ball from Spond is a digital fundraising competition designed to help UK-based grassroots teams and non-commercial organisations raise funds in an engaging and straightforward manner. Entrants view an image with the ball removed and attempt to identify its original location; the closest guess wins a prize, typically a gift card.
To set up a Spot the Ball campaign and start fundraising with Spond, group admins create a seven-day competition through the Spond app. They select members as fundraisers, each receiving a personalised campaign page to share via social media, messaging apps, or email. Supporters can purchase multiple entries, with funds distributed as follows: 75% to the organisation (minus the prize value, which ranges from 5% to 25% of total sales, as determined by the group) and 25% as Spond’s management fee.
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