Imagine a new member arriving at the club on a Tuesday evening in October. It’s just before sunset. There’s no need to search for a committee member or wait for someone to unlock the gate. Using the Lighting Sports platform from BEM, they open the entrance directly from their phone.

They head onto the court they booked earlier that day. As darkness begins to fall after sunset they simply activate the court lights through the app for the next 30 minutes. After training, they turn on the showers remotely before heading inside. Later, while watching another match from the clubhouse terrace, they use the app again to activate the outdoor heaters for a short period.

For the club committee, there’s peace of mind knowing the lights, showers, and heaters won’t be accidentally left running. No chasing keys, no late-night lockups, and no unnecessary energy waste. Everything works simply, efficiently, and conveniently.

That kind of seamless experience is what encourages members to return week after week. Yet many small clubs across Ireland and beyond still rely on outdated systems that create friction for both members and volunteers.

At BEM Ltd, we’ve spent more than 30 years developing product and over16 years delivering sports lighting solutions across Ireland, and in recent years, technology has transformed what smaller clubs can achieve.

The Reality of Running a Small Club Today

Most local sports clubs are powered by volunteers. Committee members, treasurers, coaches, and club secretaries already give up countless hours each week. The more administration a club generates — chasing subscriptions, managing bookings, dealing with lost keys, or ensuring lights are switched off — the harder it becomes to find volunteers willing to take on those responsibilities.

At the same time, modern members expect convenience. Nearly every service they use daily is managed from a smartphone: banking, parking, gyms, schools, and subscriptions. Sports clubs are no different. Members increasingly expect a smooth, digital experience, and clubs that fail to provide it risk losing players to facilities that do.

The good news is that modern wireless lighting systems and integrated booking platforms are now more affordable, reliable, and easier to install than ever before. Clubs no longer need a dedicated facilities manager to operate efficiently — they simply need the right technology.

Three Ways Technology Improves Club Operations

1. Reduced Administration

Digital booking systems eliminate paper diaries and manual scheduling. Membership payments can be automated, access permissions updated instantly, and bookings managed entirely online.

For committees, the biggest benefit is often time. Automation reduces repetitive administration and allows volunteers to focus on running the club rather than managing paperwork.

2. Lower Energy Costs

Floodlighting is typically one of the largest operational expenses for outdoor sports clubs. Older metal halide systems consume significant amounts of electricity compared to modern LED solutions.

Smart lighting control systems ensure courts and pitches are only illuminated when booked. Lighting can be zoned, dimmed, or automatically switched off when sessions end, significantly reducing unnecessary energy consumption and operational costs.

3. A Better Member Experience

Technology improves the experience for members without creating additional work for volunteers. Players enjoy easy booking, instant access, and modern facilities that simply work when needed.

When lighting controls, access systems, and booking software are integrated together, the entire club becomes easier to use and manage.

Why Lighting Is Often the Starting Point

For many outdoor sports clubs, lighting determines whether facilities can operate year-round. Without adequate floodlighting, activity drops significantly during the darker months. With the right system, evening training sessions, coaching, and competitive matches can continue throughout the winter.

At BEM, we’ve spent decades specialising in sports lighting, particularly for tennis clubs where lighting uniformity, glare control, and lux levels are critical.

Our systems are designed to retrofit onto existing infrastructure wherever possible, minimising disruption and reducing installation costs. Extensive new cabling is rarely required, and our lighting controllers integrate directly with modern booking platforms and member apps.

This integrated approach is rapidly becoming the standard for sports lighting across Ireland.

Beyond Lighting: One Platform for the Entire Club

Once lighting and booking systems are connected, expanding into wider facility management becomes straightforward.

Door access can be controlled through a mobile app, PIN code, or key fob. Hot water and heating systems can activate automatically during booked sessions and switch off afterwards. Any system involving energy management or facility access can operate through the same central platform.

That’s exactly what the Lighting Sports web app was designed to deliver — one integrated solution for:

• Court and pitch lighting

• Gate and door access

• Showers and heating controls

• Court bookings

• Event management

• Membership payments

• Coaching and facility payments

One Midlands tennis club that implemented our system reported electricity savings of approximately 35% within the first year. While energy consumption reduced, court usage actually increased, particularly during evening hours. Membership renewals also reached record levels for the club.

Supporting the Volunteers Who Keep Clubs Running

While technology improves the member experience, its greatest value is often felt by the committee behind the scenes.

Clubs survive because volunteers are willing to dedicate their time. If modern systems can automate bookings, memberships, lighting, access control, and reporting, the workload on volunteers is dramatically reduced.

That makes committee roles more manageable and helps clubs remain sustainable long-term.

Modern sports lighting is no longer just about floodlights — it has become part of a fully connected club management system.

The Bottom Line

Small clubs no longer have to choose between attracting new members and protecting volunteers from burnout. Modern technology can achieve both.

Smart lighting systems reduce energy costs. Automated bookings save time. Digital access simplifies operations. Members enjoy a modern, convenient experience, while committees gain back valuable hours every week.

Most clubs begin with lighting upgrades because the financial savings are clear and measurable. From there, integrated booking, access control, and facility management can be added at a pace that suits the club.

There’s no need to modernise everything overnight — the key is taking the first step.

If you’d like to explore what’s possible for your club or facility, we’d be happy to discuss your requirements and provide honest advice based on your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a small club lighting upgrade typically cost?

Costs vary depending on the number of courts or pitches and the condition of the existing electrical infrastructure. For a typical tennis club upgrading from metal halide to LED lighting with integrated controls, projects generally range between €6,000 and €9,000 per court using existing pole depending on the required lux levels and specifications.

A proper quotation should always follow a site survey and lighting assessment.

Can Sports Capital Programme funding be used for lighting upgrades?

Yes. Lighting upgrades are eligible under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. Many clubs successfully use funding support to complete major lighting and facility improvement projects.

Preparing technical specifications and quotations in advance of application deadlines is highly recommended.

Can existing lighting poles be reused?

In many cases, yes. If existing poles are structurally sound, correctly positioned, and suitable for the required lighting levels, they can often be reused with new LED fittings installed. This can significantly reduce project costs.

Pole condition and suitability should always be assessed during a professional site survey.

Is planning permission required for new floodlighting?

Planning requirements vary depending on the scale of the installation and the surrounding area. New floodlighting systems in residential locations are often subject to planning approval, particularly where light spill and operating hours are a concern.

Guidance can be provided during the design stage to help clubs understand local planning requirements.

What if some members don’t want to use an app?

A well-designed system should always include alternative access options such as PIN codes, key fobs, or access cards.

The goal is to provide flexibility and convenience — not to force members into using one method. Our systems are designed to work alongside existing controls and operational preferences where required.