Future of Roodepoort Cricket Club hanging in the balance
Without revenue from hosting matches and the accompanying activity in the bar and kitchen, funds to keep the club running have all but vanished.
Community sports clubs serve a greater purpose than just a venue to develop and showcase local talent. They can often double as home away from home, where friendly and welcoming faces gather to share news or engage in good old-fashioned banter.
Based at Voortrekker Park, where many a school sports memory would have been played out in front of the colossal brick grandstand, Roodepoort Cricket Club is hanging on by a thread. The coronavirus pandemic and state-imposed regulations have not only stifled their on-field upward trajectory but obliterated the bread and butter of the club’s existence.
Without revenue from hosting matches and the accompanying activity in the bar and kitchen, funds to keep the club running have all but vanished. Operating on a shoestring budget, the club is kept afloat by the dedication and attitudes of its members.
“There has been literally no income at all for months now and all bills still need to be paid,” said club captain David Olivier.
While he keeps things ticking over on the field, Stella Goosen and James Llewhigh are two pillars holding the club intact. “The sacrifice that Stella and her family have made to keep the doors open is just immense. They love the place and that’s why we will do everything in our power to keep the doors open,” claimed David.
As someone who played cricket and soccer at the ground from a very young age, James’ love of the club is not driven by personal gain, but by the desire to preserve something that makes up the identity of many Roodepoort athletes. “It would be a travesty if the club ceases to exist,” said James.
“The club has an extremely rich heritage and is still producing provincial cricketers from the area,” he continued. The club runs a full Last Man Standing programme as well a renowned winter league, both vital sources of income that will not materialise in 2020.
“We have overcome a lot in the last couple of years but we will keep on fighting for our lovely club that brings people together from all walks of life,” said David.
Without the luxury of corporate sponsorships or preferential status from Cricket South Africa (CSA), operating a community club represents a service to the community inspired by a love for the game and its people. It is not just a club that is based in Roodepoort, but a club that carries the identity and heart of Roodepoort.
