Will South Australian federation affiliated soccer clubs survive the coronavirus pandemic?
The Advertiser has spoken to local clubs across Adelaide to determine which ones are in a strong enough position to weather the COVID-19 storm. Here’s what they said.
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South Australia’s oldest soccer club Port Adelaide survived two World Wars, the Spanish flu pandemic 100 years ago and numerous take over bids during its 117 history.
Port Adelaide is still standing today even after it was forced to take a three year sabbatical when it lost many players to national service during World War II.
Now like all of the state’s well established soccer clubs Port Adelaide is under siege from another pandemic.
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The coronavirus has shut down the game across the state at least until May 31 when Football Federation Australia is expected to make a decision as to whether soccer would continue or face a longer lay off for 2020.
That leaves much uncertainty for many clubs across the state, clubs that were started by people for the good of other people.
The entire planet is suffering from hardship as health is rightfully way ahead of any other activities such as sport and work.
The most daunting question posed to most of the South Australian clubs affiliated to Football SA’s premier clubs – NPL, WNPL, State League 1 and 2 – is will your club survive the crisis.
The Advertiser had written to 38 clubs – 36 from the NPL, State League 1 and 2 and two from the WNPL – about surviving the pandemic.
The game is currently off limits as an organised sport to about 60,000 participants – it’s critical.
Established NPL clubs Raiders and Adelaide City – clubs operating since the 1950s and 1940s respectively – replied.
So did South Adelaide, Modbury Vista, Metro United, Sturt-Lions, Seaford, Gawler Eagles, Adelaide Hills Hawks and Mount Barker United.
These clubs have contributed enormously to the well being of South Australian soccer, playing an integral part via their communities where the game had become beneficial to its people beyond the sport.
They all responded to the survival questions in one way or another while other clubs haven’t answered The Advertiser’s SOS soccer survival series questions.
The questions:
1. Will your club survive past the coronavirus pandemic?
2. What is the estimated funds needed to keep your club afloat?
3. What is the key fundraising element to keeping your club afloat?
4. Is your club paying Football SA affiliation and registration fees during the crisis?
5. Is your club still paying players?
6. Are your juniors encouraged to be active via online communication?
7. Will junior fees be refunded this year?
This is what club chiefs said:
Raiders chairman Ian Krivic
1. As a 68 year-old community club we need to, it won’t be easy!
2. The quantum is unknown at this stage. As we are one of only three clubs (I believe) to be privately owned and not funded by local councils, we inherit a holding cost well into six figures and depending on the duration of this pandemic, it will take its toll.
3. Sponsors, match days, club functions
4. Everything has been put on hold and our motivation is to play football in 2020. Once this happens, I expect all parties will work collaboratively in moving forward with fees.
5. Everything has been put on hold.
6. Absolutely, as it’s important the kids try to stay connected with our game.
7. Again, we are motivated to play this year possibly right up to Christmas with some sort of format depending on time, we are anticipating to provide our juniors with further development and game time as part of their fee structure.
Adelaide City chairman of football Fred Lenzi
“Apart from advising we are currently getting through thanks to our loyal and supportive parents, sponsors, administration and players.
“Understanding the current climate and all are doing their share to ensure the stability of the club.
“There is no knowing past the next six months of what will transpire given the unsure end to this crisis.
“It is more important that families are safe and can financially sustain their needs.”
Modbury Vista chairman Stuart Carlisle
1. Yes.
2. We have sufficient funds at present however if there is no football this season that could change if we have to give out refunds to our junior players and senior players who have paid registration fees.
3. It is a mixture of registrations, sponsorship, revenue from the bar and canteen and a few social functions.
4. At this stage we haven’t received an invoice from the Football SA for affiliation and registration fees so we haven’t paid anything yet.
5. No.
6. Our juniors are being encouraged to keep practising their skills at home and we are using our Facebook page and private coaching groups to pass these messages on.
7. That has yet to be determined by the committee. We are currently awaiting advice from the FSA and Elizabeth and Districts Junior Soccer Association as to what is going to happen in regards to this season.
If the season is cancelled and no football is played the club committee will explore what options we have eg refunds or putting the money paid for this season towards fees for next season.
We have to work through what that looks like.
South Adelaide chairman Sean Muxlow
1. Should be OK.
2. Hard question to answer as there are many layers and scenarios that can and will take place over the coming months.
3. Sponsors and junior fees.
4. At this stage yes, we have a zoom meeting with the federation tomorrow afternoon so I am sure this will be bought up.
5. Only those on a professional contract, currently in negotiations.
6. Yes via team app with their coaches and the club is communicating with parents.
7. If the season is abandoned we will do everything we can to reimburse fees, no play no pay but we will need some assistance from the federation.
Seaford Rangers president Terry Wraight
1. 75 per cent we will struggle to survive.
2. Approximately $15,000 to $25,000.
3. (With) club functions we normally turn over $3000 to $5000 per week so as you can see the longer we stay closed the bigger loss.
4. No, we have been invoiced $6600 for federation teams nominations.
5. No, but we have two imports that I give accommodation and vehicle (to).
6. Brief contact by junior co-ordinator.
7. If we have to refund junior fees we will have to close the doors. We have already paid for all the strips etc even if we leave fees paid towards next season it will be a struggle. We have over $50,000 outstanding for this year and very little chance of this being paid.
Gawler Eagles secretary Peter Broelman
1. Yes.
2. $80,000 per annum minimum.
3. Registrations, sponsors, canteen (in that order).
4. On hold.
5. No.
6. Encouraging activity via social media and emails.
7. Unlikely as dollar have already been spent before the crisis.
“The club has effectively stopped in its tracks.
“All business activity is on hold.
“As it stands the club faces the choice of salvaging 2020 for all grades (to facilitate income streams) at an unknown date, or write off 2020 and kick off again in 2021.
“Town of Gawler plans for a multimillion-dollar sports hub is now unlikely due to re-prioritising of federal and state government resources to the crisis.
“So in short, the club will survive but not if it is to ignore the financial ramifications of the crisis in 2020 and in years to come.
“We’re not adverse to transferring 2020 to 2021 (sponsors, registrations etc). Effectively hibernate.”
Adelaide Hills Hawks president Dan Butler
1. Of course it will, we are the Hills Hawks.
2. $30,000 minimum (for) electricity, grounds, water Maintenance, rates, lease etc.
3. Raffles etc.
4. No – not as yet – it is due!
5. No.
6. 100 per cent, lots of prizes for best training video, toilet paper challenge and heaps of chat in the team group chats.
7. No not as a rule but it will be individually approached case-by-case pending the inquiry. We would ideally like to roll it to 2021.
Metro United president Dora Rinaldi
“The sporting family is certainly feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and at this point we don't know how hard it will hit certain clubs including Metro United WFC (women’s football club).
“It's difficult to answer the questions until we meet with our governing body Football South Australia in which clubs will be asking lots of questions.
“At this point in time, until we have some clarity our club is being put on hold.
“Our players are being encouraged to do their own training and our coaching staff is supplying them with drills they can do at home which is great!”
Noarlunga United chairperson Monika Cadman
“We cannot comment at the moment until know what is happening with Football SA and the remainder of the season across our seniors, juniors and amateurs.”
Sturt-Lions president John Vander Veeken
1. Yes Sturt Lions is trading solvent.
3. All and any sponsors, club player fees and club functions
4. Already paid a portion of the Football SA affiliation and registration fees.
5. We are not still paying players but we are assisting where we can, some to gain work.
6. Yes, we are starting online communications with interactive private training guidance
“The season is being suspended until May 31, so some clarity will come around that timeline
Mount Barker United marketing and sponsorship management Darren Miller
“Thanks for reaching out to us to see how the club is coping with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, to give precise answers to your questions at this point in time is impossible as the situation, as everyone says, is ever changing.
“As a club we are still planning to return to play at some stage in 2020.
“To this end although all our players both junior and senior are away from the club they are being encouraged and supported as best we can to stay healthy, fit and active.
“We’ve encouraged our coaches to maintain contact with the players to make sure they’re all doing as well as can be expected, and we’ll continue to do this as long as required.
“From a financial point-of-view, as a new club without our own club/bar/canteen facilities we rely solely on sponsorship and player fees to fund the club and as such have to act prudently and operate on a very strict budget.
“So, although we’d all rather be on the pitch and working to grow the club to enable us to get to the next level, we will survive and come out the other side.”
Originally published as Will South Australian federation affiliated soccer clubs survive the coronavirus pandemic?