BRENDAN LINES
THE LYRUP Football Club is fighting for its survival, as the club struggles to field a senior team for the 2021 RFL Independent season.
Lyrup senior coach John Kindness has pleaded for players across the Riverland to join Lyrup’s ranks, as the club stares down the barrel of what could be the toughest season in its 112-year history.
“I’ve coached in the Riverland for quite a few years and on the east coast and everyone seems to go through this phase, but this is just detrimental to the club now,” Kindness said.
So far, the club has only 10 players on its list ahead of its pre-season training — set to begin on January 20.
“Lyrup Football Clubs needs players to get a complete team for 2021. We’re here to encourage players to be fit and develop new skills and fitness for a competitive season,” Kindness said.
With a population of just 301 people, the club traditionally relies on players coming from surrounding areas.
“But the numbers simply aren’t there,” Kindness said.
“A lot of families have moved out into different parts of the Riverland. That’s part of the equation, so it’s pretty hard.”
Another factor is the shutdown of the local primary school which has forced the town to fall back on local sport.
“We’ve got the bowling green here and the Lyrup Club, but we need the footy club to rejuvenate the town again,” Kindness said.
It is more than a on-field numbers game, the club is also struggling to keep its committee running.
Last Thursday the club met with and RFL chairman Shane Uren and SANFL regional football co-ordinator Nick Dillion to assess the player shortage.
“There’s not a lot we can do actually physically, but offer more moral support,” Mr Uren said.
“Nick and I met with the club, and rather call time on the club’s season now, we thought we’d get it out in to the media and assist whatever way we can in the short term.”
“To make their situation known to the broader public, you never know what they might unearth in the way of players and volunteers.”
The difficult state of affairs at the club was somewhat eased at last Thursday’s meeting Mr Dillon said.
“They were probably a bit defeated going in, because it’s been the same people fighting the same battle for some time now and that can be quite draining,” Mr Dillion said. “Now they are aware that they have SANFL and the RFL in their corner, I think that’s made a big difference.”
Mr Dillon said paying players is not the club’s main problem.
“That is not the big issue for Lyrup.” “For them it’s about finding volunteers willing to invest time in the club, whether that be past players or other people new to the club with a passion for footy and sport.”
Time is ticking for the Lions who have just 10 weeks to get a squad ready before the season gets underway.
The Lyrup Football Club’s pre-season training will run from January 20 to 27, with further training from February 3 and 10 to follow.
Regular Tuesday and Thursday training sessions will begin in March.