When Bedwas Trethomas and Machen (BTM) U11s needed new kits, they turned to Spond – not just to organise their team, but to fund it. In just one campaign, they raised nearly £1,500 using Spond’s Spot the Ball, a digital competition-style team fundraising tool that made collecting money simple, professional, and surprisingly successful.
“I spotted the feature while browsing through Spond,” says coach Jonny Harris. “We were already using the app to manage communication and events, so trying Spot the Ball felt like a no-brainer. I didn’t expect much, but the results blew me away.”
Easy Setup, Strong Engagement
Jonny had been introduced to Spond through his son’s rugby club and brought it to BTM U11s when he became a football coach in early 2023. Having already seen the benefits of using it to organise training, matchdays and team comms, he was confident it could help them with team fundraising too.
“I didn’t expect it to be so easy,” he says. “All the tools were built in – QR codes, player-specific links, everything. I just set it up, shared it with our parents, and reminded people to get involved.”
Engagement from the wider group was immediate. “For a first go, the response was really positive. I didn’t have to chase anyone for money, which is normally the worst part of fundraising.”
Raising Nearly £1,500 – Without the Stress
Within a few weeks, the team had raised close to £1,500 – enough to pay for new kits and still have some money left for extras. That level of success was more than Jonny expected, especially for such a simple campaign.
“We raised nearly £1,500, and I honestly didn’t do much beyond set it up and send a few reminders. That’s unheard of in grassroots sport,” he says.
Unlike more traditional methods – raffles, paper forms, collecting cash – Spot the Ball was efficient, transparent and easy for everyone to use. Parents didn’t have to hand over money or worry about missing deadlines. Everything was digital and trackable.
“Spond did the hard part. I just had to nudge people along. It’s a dream when you’re trying to coach and organise things at the same time.”
A Professional Edge for Grassroots Team Fundraising
One thing that stood out to Jonny was how professional the fundraiser looked. “It didn’t feel like a small local raffle. It looked polished. People noticed that – it made them more confident about taking part.”
The feedback from families and supporters backed that up.
“Everyone said how easy it was to enter. No awkward chats, no handling coins or notes. Just a link or a QR code. It was so much simpler than anything we’d done before.”
Jonny also highlighted how Spond’s tech allowed for more than just basic fundraising – it gave each player a personalised link, allowing them to share and take ownership of the effort.
“That made a big difference. The players were excited to help, and it took the pressure off parents having to do everything.”
Ready to Go Bigger Next Time
Now that Jonny has seen what Spot the Ball from Spond can do, he’s already thinking ahead.
“Next time I’ll make even better use of the QR codes and all the sharing features. I know the system now. I’m confident we could raise even more with a bit more planning.”
For BTM U11s, this isn’t just a one-off win. It’s a sign that team fundraising doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or stressful – not when you’ve got the right tools.
“As a coach, your time is limited,” Jonny says. “You want to focus on the players, not admin. Spond lets us do that. It’s a game-changer.”
Want to run your own Spot the Ball fundraiser?
Spond’s built-in fundraising tools make it easier than ever to raise money for kits, travel and equipment – with no cash handling, no hassle, and total transparency. If you’re involved in grassroots sport, Spot the Ball is the team fundraising solution you’ve been waiting for.
Open the Spond app and get started today.
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