Springs Old Boys looking to recover
Springs Old Boys look to the future as they face impact of Covid 19 lockdown
The Springs Old Boys Club is patiently waiting for life to go back to normal.
For its day-to-day operations and survival the club depends on two main streams of income: membership fees from its players and sales from the bar.
The Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown mean all activity at the club has ground to a halt.
Also read:
Springs Old Boys club turns 74
“We’re not unique in this situation, I’m sure the Pollak Park Golf Club and the Springs Country Club are in the same boat.
“As a club, the Old Boys have been here for a very long time, and we serve a very important role in this community.
“The majority of our players live around here, with siblings all being involved in the club somehow.
“We keep these youngsters active and out of trouble,” says chairperson of the club Kelly Clarke.
The club faces the challenge that they have missed out on a whole season of cricket and half a season of soccer due to the lockdown.
They have also missed out on the revenue the bar would have brought in as members socialise after practise and games.
The bowling club, which plays throughout the year, can return once lockdown is over.
“Our difficulty is that although there’s been no activity at the club, our expenses still remain.
“We have our electricity bill to pay and the upkeep of our facilities.
“We’ve also had a few break-ins during the lockdown.
“Despite all that, we’re not at the point of shutting down the club or anything like that.
“I want to make people aware of the situation we find ourselves in and to say we’re going to need your support,” says Clarke.
Clarke is hopeful the club will be able to turn things around.
He says the committee he has in place is experienced and believes they can steer the Old Boys in the right direction.
Also read:
Annual general meeting and awards meeting at Springs Old Boys Cricket Club
“It might take us a while, but we’ll do it,” says Clarke.
During lockdown, the club has had some trouble with unauthorised people breaking down the boundary wall and driving their cars on the cricket and soccer fields.
“There are people drinking on our fields; the police had been great in helping us to keep an eye on the place.
“The metro hasn’t cut the grass outside our facilties and we’ve received a few complaints from the neighbouring houses about that,” says Clarke.
Despite all this, Clarke is adamant the club will rise again after lockdown.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
