Despite restrictions easing today to allow the return of community sport, clubs are concerned ongoing uncertainty is keeping members away.

Australian Sports Foundation CEO Patrick Walker described to Deborah Knight a “mixed picture” of clubs’ financial situations, with the outlook “grim” for half.

“If we count the NSW data alone … 14 per cent of clubs said they fear insolvency.

“The average club has lost around $15,000 – it may not sound a big number but when you’re a volunteer-run club, you don’t really carry much cash reserves.

“A lot of clubs are saying to us members are sitting on their hands and not … signing back up to play; they don’t know how long the season’s going to be, they don’t know if it’s going to be shut down again.”

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