Old Boys’ hangs in the balance
Springs Old Boys' may cease to exist in the near future.
Jo-Anne Delaney, manager of Springs Old Boys’ Club is concerned about the future of the club as a whole.
The club, which is located at 5 Hobok Street in Pollak Park is known for its bowls, cricket, soccer and baseball and the hall is sometimes used as a function venue but also for karate and kick boxing.
The club is privately owned and receives no funding from the government for maintenance of the grounds.
The club relies on subscriptions paid by members and on the pub, but Delaney feels that the club does not have enough members.
Members in bowls and in baseball are dwindling, according to Delaney.
Delaney feels that she needs to appeal to the community within Springs because the club is in need of new members.
“I feel that Old Boys’ has never discriminated, and I feel that we have also been very fair.”
The club itself is in a state of disrepair, the roof is leaking and grandstands are being stolen bit by bit.
It is clear that the funding coming into the club is not enough to keep it afloat.
Five members of ground staff are employed to keep the grounds looking as good as they do.
When asked what would happen if the club were to close, Delaney said, “I would hate to comment on that. I’ve never really thought about what would happen if the club were to close.”
According to Delaney, in the past, members would help where they could and the older members are worried about the fate of their beloved club.
The club was formed in 1946 and has become somewhat of a monument in Springs.
It is also one of the only privately-owned, general clubs left within Ekurhuleni.
“I think the people of Springs would be very sorry to see Old Boys’ go,” says Delaney.
