THE future of the longstanding Riverside Cricket Club is in serious doubt, after noone attended its annual general meeting last month to appoint a new executive committee.
The Para Districts club, which has existed for 85 years, is currently seeking a successor to current president Adam Colbourne, who is unable to extend his tenure this season due to work commitments.
Mr Colbourne said the club’s current situation is dire, and estimated there was a ‘50-50’ chance of it continuing on in 2019/20.
“It’s pretty grim at the minute,” he said.
“I’m hopeful the club goes on, but at this stage it doesn’t look very bright.
“It’s a bit of both (players and volunteers); we struggled a fair bit last year with players, with blokes having to work Saturdays, that sort of thing.
“I think if we do get a side, it’ll just be one side.
“(My son) Josh speaks to a few of the lads who are around the club still, they’re going to try and do their best to keep the team running.”
The club is one of the founding members of the Para Districts Cricket Association, and Mr Colbourne said the league has extended a helping hand to try and improve the situation.
“We’ve been around since 1934, so 85 years,” he said.
“They obviously don’t want us to fold, they’ve offered any assistance if we need it.
“At the end of last year’s season, there were us and two other clubs that have had a side in every season ever of the PDCA…we’d like to keep that going.”
Riverside fielded teams in Grade One, Grade Four, and Under 12 last summer.
The club expressed concerns over its future in March this year, after it was revealed a planned Gawler Council upgrade to Karbeethan Reserve could put its home ground out of action for the next five years.
Those interested in joining Riverside Cricket Club are encouraged to contact David France on 0414 659 937.