Only two sections operational at BCC

Long-time member and Bedfordview Country Club (BCC) chairperson takes a look back at his time at the club while anxiously waiting for the club to once again operate normally, as only two sections are operating.

Roy Kirby (82) has been with the club since 1958 and has been the club’s chairperson for the past seven years.

“I’ve been with the club through a number of name changes until it was named Bedfordview Country Club.

“I’m probably the longest serving member of the club.”

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He said he has been chairperson of a number of sections throughout the years until becoming the chairperson of the entire club.

“There were only two clubs in the area around the time I joined the club. Jeppe Old Boys and Bedfordview, whereas with Jeppe you had to be a scholar, therefore Bedfordview seemed the easier option.

“I lived in the area as well, which made the club a good fit for me and many others,” said Roy.

He said he played soccer, cricket, tennis and baseball in his early days at the club.

“When I was young, there was no television; the club became my life, playing all these different sports.”

Roy included he became particularly drawn to squash over his many years at the club.

“My tennis career faded away around my late forties, and right at that time, the club built squash courts, and the older tennis players all played squash.

“I then later became chairperson of squash at the club, master’s Transvaal squash, South African squash and world squash chair for seven years as well,” he said.

Roy said squash became his life and he was manager to overseas squash sides such as in Melbourne, Australia in 2001.

He always saw himself as a squash player until his knee began to give him trouble two years back.

“Squash you can play right into your old age, and you get to play with all your friends who have been along for the ride as well,” said Roy.

He added when you play in masters squash you play in five year gaps, right up to 80 years old and over.

In his older age, Roy credits squash for keeping him active, fit and healthy.

For now, he said BCC has five sections including cricket, soccer, tennis, bowls and athletics, losing hockey and squash.

“We had hockey teams, but they were playing at St Benedict’s College and Randburg and were never really part of the club and squash is now for members of Virgin Active.”

Roy said the athletics section is strong having one of the biggest half marathons with the Dis-Chem Half Marathon.

“The cricket section has about 12 sides, including ladies and attracts a lot of youth and has and is doing well, winning about every league.

“We also have players in the inter-provincial for eastern Gauteng.”

He said soccer, bowls and tennis sections are just as strong with a number of pro players.

According to Roy, the tennis and bowls sections are the only two sections currently operating in some form.

He included chairs of each section are staying in contact with members throughout lockdown.

“We’ve had meetings with respective chairs during lockdown, to stay up to date with current matters,” said Roy.

Roy believes the club will operate fully once Virgin Active has been given the green light to operate.

“I would like the community to know the club is very much viable and once we are ready to open we will still be looking for new members and can once again have the social aspect we all miss,” he said.

To the community, Roy firmly believes the club is a place for health, community spirit and a home for many.