Footy, netball clubs paying for power, water that aren’t in use
Footy and netball clubs across Bass Coast have been hit hard by COVID-19. With normal income sources all but dried up, one thing is still flowing, according to frustrated club presidents – the bills.
Bass Coast News
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Football and netball clubs across Bass Coast have been hit hard by the pandemic with local presidents frustrated by a lack of income and bills for amenities they aren’t even using.
Dalyston Football Netball Club president Andy Thomas said COVID-19 has been “tough” on the club.
“We haven’t been able to make any money and we still have water and power bills to pay”, he said.
“So far we haven’t had any respite on them”.
Mr Thomas said the club has switched off as many amenities as they could, but it was “incredibly frustrating” getting charged for water and power for clubrooms not even in use.
“It’s the fixed charges that are killing us,” he said.
“We’ve tried to do all the right things to lower usage but fixed charges are something you can’t do anything about.”
He said the club was in talks with the water board to try and get some respite but “it’s a tough environment at the moment”.
Phillip Island Football Netball Club president Chris Ross said their club has also taken a “massive hit” during the pandemic.
“We haven’t had the financial support from our canteen, memberships, bar sales and meal sales,” he said.
“Luckily we don’t have massive amounts of outgoings because the biggest expense is player payments”.
Mr Ross said Phillip Island Football Netball Club has been successful in receiving grants from the state government.
“They are only small amounts like $1000 and $2000 but the money has been helpful so the club is grateful for them,” he said.
Mr Ross hopes the pandemic won’t impact the club next season, saying he thinks they may receive more interest from players in Melbourne.
“[People] will want to get out of Melbourne. They will want to get out of the suburbs and come to regional Victoria”.
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