The importance of a strategic plan for clubs

No Limits Sports is an organisation dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of sport in children by providing safe, inclusive, and engaging programs that build fundamental skills, promote fairness and sportsmanship and uphold strong safeguarding standards.

The company was founded 13 years ago, starting as a “one-man operation”, and has since expanded into a nationwide provider with over 750 coaches and a wide range of programs delivered across both metro and regional areas. 

Speaking to Soccerscene, CEO of No Limits Sports Josh Clark shares how he grew the company from a business ran by just one person into a national organisation focused on inclusive, accessible sports programs for children of all abilities and backgrounds—overcoming recruitment challenges, expanding into regional areas, and embracing Indigenous culture—while continuing to grow and eyeing international opportunities.

Can you tell us about your responsibilities as CEO and how No Limits Sports has grown and changed since it began?

Josh Clark: As CEO, I’m involved in nearly every part of the business. My responsibilities span from recruitment and managing staff to overseeing marketing, sales, bookings, and logistics, right down to handling payroll and invoicing. With a large team of coaches operating nationwide and a sizable office team, there’s always something that needs attention.

When I first launched No Limits Sports, it was just me — a one-person operation. Since then, we’ve grown into a national organisation. That growth has brought more complexity and diversity to what we do, which has naturally changed the nature of my role. I began in a hands-on coaching capacity, but this quickly changed. I’ve transitioned into more of a strategic leadership position, focused on long-term development and guiding the broader direction and growth of the company.

Were there any initial challenges you faced when expanding No Limits Sports and if so how did you overcome them?

Josh Clark: One of the biggest challenges we faced—both in the early days and still to some extent today—has been recruiting the right staff. We’re always looking for experienced and qualified coaches, but we also believe in investing in emerging talent. We often bring on younger, less experienced individuals who show potential and offer them training and upskilling opportunities to help them grow into the role.

In recent years, we’ve implemented a robust recruitment and HR software system, which has significantly streamlined our hiring and onboarding processes. It’s made it much easier to manage applications, track coach development, and stay organised, especially as we’ve expanded into regional areas beyond the metro centres. That investment in technology has been a key part of overcoming the recruitment challenge and supporting our continued growth.

How does No Limits Sports ensure that its programs remain inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds?

Josh Clark: I’ve been deeply passionate about ensuring our programs are inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds. We’ve proudly partnered with the Special Olympics for over 10 years, and we work closely with numerous special schools and support units across the country to deliver tailored sports programs for students with additional needs.

We’ve developed our own inclusive programs, as well as using The Special Olympics’ programs to ensure that all children can participate regardless of their ability. A key part of this commitment has been investing in our coaching team, providing them with specialist training and qualifications so they feel confident and capable of delivering inclusive sessions.

Another priority for us is reaching students in regional and remote communities. Many other sports providers don’t have the capacity to operate in these areas, but we’ve made it a core part of our mission. We deliver programs in places like Alice Springs, Port Lincoln, Devonport, Lismore, Gladstone, and so many other regional towns.

Inclusivity, both in terms of ability and geography, is central to what we do. Whether it’s special schools, regional communities, or mainstream metro programs, we’re committed to making quality sports experiences available to every child, no matter where they live or what their needs may be.

Can you tell us a bit about the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) the significance of incorporating it into your curriculum and the impact it has on participants?

Josh Clark: Our Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) program is based on the Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games resource developed by the Australian Sports Commission. This collection features over 140 games from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures across Australia. We’ve carefully selected the most engaging and popular games that really resonate with students and work well in a school or community setting.

The program is rooted in extensive research and documentation of traditional games from diverse Indigenous communities. We make a point to honour the cultural origins of each game by sharing its traditional name, the region it comes from, and the original materials used. For example, some games were originally played with kangaroo skin balls—while we now use modern equipment, we ensure students still understand the historical context and cultural significance.

The TIG program is especially popular around NAIDOC Week, with many schools and OOSH & vacation care services incorporating it into their celebrations. Beyond the cultural learning, the games themselves are incredibly fun and active—many involve teamwork, ball handling, and evasion skills, which translate well to a variety of other sports. Most importantly, the program gives students a meaningful way to engage with and appreciate Indigenous culture through physical activity, often playing games they’ve never experienced before.

What feedback have you received regarding the impact of No Limits Sports programs on children’s development?

Josh Clark: Our goal as a business is to help children develop a lifelong love of sport by giving them access to try lots of different sports and activities, making sure it’s done in a really inclusive and fun environment. We regularly receive positive feedback from schools, parents, OOSH services, and the clubs we collaborate with, which reassures us that we’re making an impact.

The most meaningful feedback, however, often comes from two key areas. First, from regional schools where students may not have previously had access to quality coaching or diverse sports programs. Second, from our inclusive sports programs, particularly those designed for children with additional needs. Hearing directly from students, parents, and schools in these spaces about the positive difference we’ve made is incredibly rewarding and reinforces why we do what we do.

How is No Limits Sports currently tracking and what does the future hold for the company?

Josh Clark: We are growing rapidly, both in terms of the number of customers we work with and the size of our coaching team. We’ve seen consistent year-on-year growth and currently operate across all States and Territories in Australia. We’re also exploring opportunities to expand internationally, with New Zealand being a potential next step.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Brisbane Olympics in seven years adds an exciting layer of opportunity for the Australian sports industry. There’s been a renewed national focus on grassroots participation and talent development, which aligns perfectly with our mission. It’s an exciting time to be in this space, and our goal is to continue expanding our reach and increasing the number of quality coaches we provide across all communities.