DESPITE optimism that local football could be returning by the end of June, Gawler Central Football Club president Tom Lane says it is completely unsustainable to restart senior football competitions without fans.
As well as losing out on gate, bar and canteen sales, Lane said the sponsorships the club relies on would be significantly devalued and almost unsellable.
“We need crowds for us to be able to function,” Lane said.
“There won’t be a possibility for us to pay our rates, pay our rent, and pay everything else we need to pay that continues to come in as a bill without crowds.
“That’s not just my opinion, I’ve spoken to two or three other club presidents, we keep in contact to make sure everyone is going okay, and we’re all of the same opinion – we won’t be able to, at all.”
SANFL’s head of community football Tom Hurley said he has been made aware of this concern, and that for the time being, everything is on the table.
“We’ve been consulting with all the leagues, and indirectly with the clubs about what a return to play in this environment looks like,” he said.
“One of the considerations at the moment is obviously the feedback we’re receiving regarding the importance of fans and spectators being able to attend community football, and
what that means for the sustainability of clubs and leagues.
“So it’s relevant in our thinking, and will certainly form part of our return to play framework considerations.”
While senior football is off the table for local clubs while fans are barred from attendance, Lane said Gawler Central is far more concerned about
losing junior players if they fall out of love with the game during this extended hiatus.
“Again, you’d probably need crowds for junior football, but our primary concern is making sure these kids aren’t lost to the game when they get to senior football, which is what we’re
seeing happen at an alarming level,” he said.
“Our club’s fear is that if these guys have a year off, and they get into mountain bike riding, or skateboarding, or stuff they’ve been doing in lieu of football, and half a dozen from each club might say ‘you know what, I didn’t miss football that much’.
“If each club loses half a dozen of their under 17s, we can’t afford that as a league, let alone as a club.”
Hurley said the SANFL has recognised this problem, and in response have been sending clubs content aimed at keeping kids engaged with football and their club, but Lane said it isn’t
close to enough.
The SANFL said in a statement yesterday that it is hopeful of providing a detailed announcement about both SANFL community football and state league’s return to play by mid-May.
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