Peninsula Seagulls face an uncertain future without more support

THE future of the Peninsula Seagulls club is at a crossroads after they were beaten 32-16 by the cashed-up Mounties in their Sydney Shield preliminary final .

Peninsula Seagull Todd Wilson in the preliminary final against Mounties.. Picture: John Appleyard.

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THE future of the Peninsula Seagulls club is at a crossroads after they were beaten 32-16 by the cashed-up Mounties in their Sydney Shield preliminary final at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

The northern beaches outfit has been very successful over the past three years, largely thanks to the dedicated efforts of their founders Gary Pethybridge and Steve Gearin.

They started the club to give talented local players the pathway they were not getting in the A-grade competition.

But the bottom line is that the club can’t afford to keep going without additional support and resources.

Peninsuala Seagulls co-founders Steve Gearin and Gary Pethybridge. Picture: Virginia Young.

“It has been very frustrating when you look at what we have achieved,” said Seagulls co-coach Scott Pethybridge.

He would love incoming Sea Eagles CEO Tim Cleary to sit down and meet with his father Gary and Gearin to discuss the Seagulls future.

“I think it is important for the community, it is a community project,” Pethybridge said.

“And I can’t dad and Steve without support going on with it, it’s just too much work.”

The Seagulls were off to a cracking start on Sunday and led 12-4 before the Mounties juggernaut clawed their way back.