COMETS COUNT THE COST

SOUTHSIDE Comets could lose out on thousands of dollars as they continue to count the cost of last month’s youth vandalism.

It was an incident which devastated members of two Cairns sports clubs, as Southside Comets Football Club and Mulgrave Combined Cricket Association’s shared premises was attacked by youths.

Much of both clubs’ invaluable memorabilia was destroyed in one night - fridges, televisions, junior trophies and coach of the year awards among the smashed glass strewn across the ground.

If it wasn’t for that incident, Southside Comets men’s coach Dion Readman said he believed the club could be in no better place.

Numbers are looking good across the park, the men’s side has already played trials and won the Chairman’s Challenge Cup at Mareeba, and the teams can’t wait to get back on to the field.

“We won the men’s preseason competition last week and we’re in a really good position with the juniors,” Readman said. “It’s just that incident.

“We wanted to host junior games this weekend but we can’t because of the damage.

“There’s nothing wrong with the grounds – we can play and train there – but without the clubhouse we have no canteen or bar.”

With the FNQ Football Premier League around the corner, the Comets are desperate to get the club back up and running.

Home games provide a significant financial windfall for every club, but the Comets could miss out on thousands of dollars if the canteen and bar are inoperable.

Readman said he and other club officials were hopeful they would be ready to operate as per normal come the first round.

The Comets were one of several sports clubs, along with Gordonvale’s Aussie rules club Pyramid Power and Atherton Tablelands Hockey Association, who were victims of vandalism last month.