Robina City’s Lyons family have vowed to stand by their club amid the COVID-19 pandemic

A few years ago, Robina City stalwarts Scott and Janette Lyons were feeling the financial pinch. SUBSCRIBE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

A FEW years ago, Robina City stalwarts Scott and Janette Lyons were feeling the financial pinch.

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As the global financial crisis ravaged the modern world, the couple struggled for employment and subsequently, to pay playing fees for their three football-mad children Brodie, 10, Sarah, 13, and Hayley, 14.

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But having emerged on the other side, the Lyons have now taken a front-row seat to the unprecedented financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and have vowed to stand behind their club.

Scott and Janette have been fortunate to retain employment as a call centre operator and teacher respectively while also balancing coaching two of Robina’s girl’s teams and a role on the club’s committee.

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While Robina members have remained largely unscathed, the Lyons know full well what some families may be going through.

“A few years back, we were making monthly payments to be able to register our kids for sport and it was tough,” Mr Lyons said.

Like many, the Lyon family of Scott, Janette, Brodie, 10, Sarah, 13, and Hayley 14, are waiting to hear when community football will resume on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

“When the girls decided to play, we went from one to three kids and we noticed a massive jump but you’re going to do what you need to do to keep your kids happy.

“For families, it’s going to be a very individual, personal decision.

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“No matter what happens, we’re not going to go asking for a reduction or refund.

“If anyone runs into trouble, they can get in touch with the club but from my understanding, it’s been very minimal.

“The club has been very transparent and kept us up to date throughout the whole situation.”

Mrs Lyons believes the Robina Soccer Club is prepared to fight the COVID-19 financial battle but hoped clubs would be compassionate for those experiencing hardship.

“From Robina’s point of view, we were quite lucky in that we had all team registrations and teams finalised before it happened and we were starting training,” she said.

“Everyone had already paid for it so it was money already spent our of people’s budgets so we’re quite lucky that the money had already been allocated.

“The clubs are going to have to look at that (refunds) and Football Queensland as well.

“A couple years ago, it was us struggling for jobs having gone through the Global Financial Crisis and now someone else might be in the same situation.”

The family is also confident that Robina won’t suffer a dramatic drop in registration numbers, due to fear of outbreak or financial hardship, once play gets the green light to resume.

“I’d be surprised if we had a drop off to be honest,” Mr Lyons said.

“You may see a few here and there but from talking to people at the club, I don’t think it will be the case.

“I put the call out to my girls about who would still be keen to play if the season went later and there have only been two players across both teams who might not be able to.

“Everyone is just busting to get back and also interested to know what it (a season) will look like.”

The family also said they wouldn’t be wary of returning to sport in a post coronavirus world - expressing an eagerness to get back to their pre-pandemic routine of vising the club six nights a week for training, games and watching the senior sides compete.

“I think there will be a lot more awareness of what could be and putting measures place but if everyone is sensible about it, then we’re doing the best we can,” Mrs Lyons said.

“It seems natural to go back to sport because we’re at school anyway and the kids are all interacting so it doesn’t seem that different to a school environment.”

Mr Lyons added: “You’re going to take more precautions but we’re not worried.”