St Ives Senior Rugby Club at risk as rising costs fuel decline in membership

A north shore seniors rugby club is facing closure, with officials citing rising costs and ground hire fees as major threats to its long-term viability.

A north shore seniors rugby club is facing the threat of closure, with officials citing rising costs and ground hire fees as major challenges to its long-term viability.

Since 1957, the St Ives Senior Rugby Club has been part of the fabric of the region’s sporting landscape, with players attending training and games at Hassell Park.

But president Ross Norton said the club was now facing the threat of ending its 67-year run due to cost of living pressures that had forced some players to hang up their boots for good.

“It’s an expensive sport that takes a lot of money to run as well as to register and insure players,” he said.

“It costs $365 to be registered with NSW suburban rugby union, and we subsidise players to $220 to make it more affordable but it’s still a lot of money for people.

The seniors club is experiencing a decline in membership.

“We also have hire fees for the facilities, coaching and support staff and equipment, which all adds up.

“We’re trying to attract more players back to the game but, in the current economic climate, people are having to make tough choices. It’s a challenge.”

Mr Norton said the club provided members with both physical and social benefits, including fostering mateship, teamwork and communication.

The club has been running since the 1950s.

The obstacles facing the club are not unique, with a report by Australian Sports Foundation last year finding rising costs and falling revenue were pushing almost one in five community sporting clubs to the brink of collapse.

Mr Ross said changing socioeconomic factors on the upper north shore could also be a factor in the declining numbers of players.

“When the club was started, St Ives and the surrounding suburbs were affordable for a lot of young families with children,” he said.

“But with the cost of real estate these days, it means players are coming from further and further afield.

The club is based at Hassell Park.

“For some members, it’s a 45 to 50 minute journey to get to training.”

Mr Ross said the club was hoping to gain the community’s support to stay afloat, and had started a fundraising campaign on Gofundme.com with the goal of raising $75,000.

He said the funds would help bankroll new women’s facilities in an effort to encourage adult female participation in the club.

“We are determined because the club has so many social benefits and the club spirit and culture is a big appeal,” he said.

“Keeping community sport is really important.”