Hastings football and cricket clubs face uncertain future

It’s a wait and see period for Hastings football and cricket clubs as the in-debt Hastings Club seeks government assistance.

Hastings players before a game in 2022. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A working party has been set up as the in-debt Hastings Club seeks government assistance.

The group will negotiate with various bodies, including the gaming commission and the local council.

It means Hastings’ football and cricket clubs are facing an uncertain future.

Hastings Football Netball Club president Dan Lehmann said more would known by the end of February but was confident his club would participate in the 2024 Mornington Peninsula league season.

“It’s common knowledge, up until February if there is no assistance from the government in relation to gaming — we’ve sent a letter out to all our members — the club’s going to face significant challenges to keep operating due to the current debt levels that it’s in at the moment,” Lehmann said.

“Obviously we’re all incorporated under the same entity.

“For the football club…it’s not ideal but I guess we can only work with what we’ve got in the situation we’re in.

Hastings has a long and proud history. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We’ll definitely know more at the end of this month as to where we sit.

“We’ll have a plan moving forward whether it’s a case of the football club incorporating itself or an alignment with the junior club. So there’s a couple of really good outcomes.

“I’m not too panicked to be fair. We’ve definitely got a couple of really good outcomes.”

Lehmann added: “We’ll be running out in round one, absolutely.”

Hastings Cricket Club president Vincent Booth said things were at “a critical stage“.

“There’s a working party with the continuation of the gaming, that’s essentially where it’s all at the present time,” he said.

“Probably in the next couple of weeks that will work its way through. And whichever way it goes that will be the result.”

Booth said the rising cost of living had impacted the Hastings Club, which has poker machines.

“Gaming has been hit by the cost of living crisis right across the board,” he said.

“If you dig deep you’ll find that out. I think there are a lot of clubs who are having difficulties. People aren’t gaming any more.”

Hastings Football Club has an outstanding history. Founded in the late 1800s, there have been many premierships – and some legends, such as the great John Coleman.

Ex-AFL star Brendan Fevola played at Hastings in 2019 and Brownlow medal champion Dane Swan played a game in 2022.