We're thrilled to announce the launch of Sports Clamor, a brand new podcast presented by Communiti! Hosted by veteran sports broadcaster PJ Kwong, Sports Clamor dives into the business of sport, exploring the challenges and strategies around growing participation and building a stronger future for the games we love.

In our very first episode, PJ sits down with none other than Communiti's own Co-founder and CEO, Shashank BK. It's a foundational conversation that explores the core problem Communiti was created to solve: the frustrating friction often involved in accessing sports.

Why, in an age of seamless online experiences, can finding and booking a simple sports lesson or program feel so complicated?

The Personal Spark: Difficulty Accessing a Universal Connector

For Shashank, the journey began shortly after moving to Canada from India nearly a decade ago. Accustomed to sport being an easy way to connect and build community, he found the North American landscape surprisingly different.

"My strategy for making friends back home was, you play some sport or another... eventually you hang out... you kind of become friends," Shashank explains. "I thought, let's adopt the same kind of model to Canada... and then I realized that accessing sports is a lot more complicated than it has to be."

This personal frustration – navigating non-functional websites, chasing down coach availability via phone, lacking clear pricing – sparked the idea for Communiti.

Outdated Systems Meet Modern Expectations

The core issue? Many aspects of sport administration haven't kept pace with technology and user expectations.

As Shashank points out, "Everything else in people's lives has become just so easy... ordering something on Uber Eats or Amazon or booking a vacation on Airbnb... people have started to expect that type of experience." When the process for booking a tennis lesson involves multiple phone calls and uncertainty, it creates a barrier – especially for newcomers or busy parents.

Solution 1: Empowering Orgs with Branded Marketplaces

Communiti recognized that simply creating another standalone platform faced the classic "chicken-and-egg" dilemma: providers want users, users want providers. The solution? Partner with those who already hold authority and community trust – governing bodies and brands.

Working with partners like Ontario Volleyball, Communiti powers branded marketplaces (like the newly launched Ontario Volleyball Connect).

"It becomes really important for the governing body to own the brand," Shashank notes. "Ontario Volleyball Connect... is owned by Ontario Volleyball... Communiti is just powering this marketplace behind the scenes."

This approach offers huge advantages:

• Leverages Trust: It comes from a trusted entity within the sport.

• Centralized Hub: Creates one easy place for users to find all relevant providers (not just affiliated ones).

• New Revenue Streams: Allows the governing body/brand to potentially monetize through sponsorships or transaction models.

• Plug-and-Play: Communiti handles the complex tech (payments, compliance, reporting, reviews), allowing the partner to focus on strategy and community building at a fraction of the cost and time of building it themselves.

  
  

Solution 2: Turning Social Clatter into Client Conversion

For individual clubs and coaches, building an online presence is crucial. But how do you turn those Instagram views or Facebook followers into actual paying clients?

"Let's say somebody hears about PJ's skating school somewhere," Shashank illustrates. "Guess what's the first thing they're going to do? They're going to go on Instagram or Facebook or wherever to check you out... once they check you out, they want to have an easy way to book with you."

Communiti provides dedicated profile pages linked directly from social media bios. Crucially, these pages feature verified reviews – a powerful trust signal.

"Close to 85% of people trust an online review that is verified as much as they would trust a friend recommending it," Shashank reveals. Communiti ensures reviews come only from people who have actually booked and attended sessions.

From the social profile, a potential client clicks the link, sees the coach's offerings, checks verified reviews, views availability, and books – often in under 30 seconds, paying easily online. This seamless flow converts passive viewers into active participants.

The Vision: Making Sport Simple

Whether through large-scale marketplaces or individual provider tools, the goal remains the same.

"Honestly, my main objective is growing sports," Shashank concludes. "The problem is it's not easy to access... We just need to make that as simple as possible... Make it easy for people to access sport and just get them into sport and play."

Listen to the full conversation with Shashank BK to hear more about:

• His journey from athlete in India to tech founder in Canada.

• Deeper insights into the Ontario Volleyball Connect partnership.

• The specific challenges governing bodies face and how marketplaces help.

• More on the power of verified reviews in building trust.

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Interested in how Communiti can help your organization or club?

• Learn more about Branded Marketplaces like Ontario Volleyball Connect

• Explore tools for Clubs & Coaches

• Visit the Communiti Website