THE Victorian Government’s slow roadmap out of lockdowns is not just a hammer blow to small businesses, it has further crippled already struggling local sporting clubs.
Despite Mildura having very few COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, community sport has been at a virtual standstill, with only a few small openings for kids and adults to get back on the park or indoor courts.
Under the roadmap, even regions like Mildura will have to wait until the entire state is fully vaccinated (hopefully by sometime in November) for competitive sport to return.
But why the wait?
Why can’t non-contact sports like cricket, tennis or golf return with COVID protocols ASAP? Surely a competitive game of tennis is safer than being on a work site, or walking the aisles of Bunnings.
And if cricket teams are told hugs and high fives are banned after a wicket, there is really no need for any player to physically touch another. There are proportionate measures that could be worked through, as have been done in the past.
The situation with grassroots Aussie sports clubs has become urgent, with many expressing serious concerns about their survival as they struggle to retain players, volunteers and a positive balance sheet.
New research has revealed a stark picture of the state of community sport in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns.
A national study by the Australian Sports Foundation found 13 per cent of clubs – about 9000 in total – had fears of insolvency as their revenue dried up during lockdowns.
And then there was the participation drop-off.
According to the report, twice as many clubs reported a decline in participant numbers compared to this time last year, with 40 per cent revealing kids aged 11-18 were the most common players quitting sport.
Australian Sports Foundation chief Patrick Walker said kids aged 11 to 18 were the most common players quitting sport.
“There are a number of clubs who said ‘we’re teetering on the brink’,” he said.
The volunteers are also dropping off in droves.
One in two clubs was unable to retain volunteers with an already heavy workload who had been stressed by additional responsibilities such as new COVID-19 safety protocols and mental health support.
Having helped out with Mildura’s Auskick program this year, I saw first-hand the incredible work some of their volunteers did to keep the club running under such draconian conditions.
Many club volunteers at local level are cooked. They have worked harder than ever to keep clubs and leagues operating, but often their enormous efforts have amounted to nothing.
Last week I wrote about the ridiculous situation where golfers were allowed to play in groups of four, but only for “exercise” purposes and not for competition.
But as farcical as the situation is, golfers won’t be complaining too much given that they are at least able to have a hit.
Other sports are not so lucky.
Sporting clubs, like businesses, have been operating in an environment of uncertainty throughout this pandemic.
It was good to see Mildura Rural City Council agree to waive some fees for them this week as they plot their re-emergence.
The government has made life virtually impossible for them for 18 months. When November hits, hopefully all our Sunraysia clubs survive and the fun and games can begin. And not be stopped again.
