Project Overview
Supporters groups often rely on a chaotic mix of WhatsApp for chat, Google Drive for files, and spreadsheets for membership. Union Hub unifies these into a secure 'Digital Clubhouse.' It features real-time chat, role-based admin tools, a resource vault, and verifiable digital IDs.
The Problem
Managing a large sports supporters group is a logistical nightmare. Leadership struggles to broadcast urgent updates through noisy WhatsApp groups, bylaws and chant sheets get lost in email chains, and verifying active members at tailgates is often manual and error-prone.
The Architecture
I built Union Hub as a Progressive Web App (PWA) to offer a native-app experience without the friction of App Store downloads. The backend relies on a serverless Firebase architecture.
One of the key technical decisions was the migration from a Relational SQL DB (Supabase) to a NoSQL Document DB (Firestore). This transition was driven by the need for:
- Native real-time listeners for chat (avoiding polling).
- Deeply nested sub-collections (Unions -> Groups -> Messages) which mapped perfectly to the multi-tenant mental model.
- Unified Auth/Database security rules for granular permission checks.
Admin & Governance
Beyond the mobile member experience, the application includes a comprehensive Desktop Admin Dashboard. This allows leadership to broadcast urgent announcements to the mobile home feed, upload official documents to the read-only Vault, and manage user roles and bans.
Key Features
Multi-Tenant Architecture
- •Workspace-based isolation allows multiple unions (e.g., Frontera SD, The Locals) to exist on the same platform without data leakage.
- •Nested sub-collection structure in Firestore ensures scalable data separation.
Real-Time Communication
- •Instant group messaging powered by Firestore listeners with Optimistic UI updates for zero-latency feel.
- •Rich media support allowing image uploads directly within the chat stream.
Security & Role Management
- •Granular Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) distinguishing between Members, Board, and Admins.
- •Strict Firestore Security Rules preventing cross-union access or unauthorized writes.
- •Age-gating compliance logic during registration.
Digital Membership
- •Dynamic QR Code generation for in-person event verification.
- •Admin-verified 'Union IDs' linked to user profiles.