Northcliffe feels pinch

THE Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club is adamant it will be able to financially survive the COVID-19 pandemic despite the doors to its supporters club remaining closed since March.

Northcliffe has managed to keep all of its surf club and supporter club staff employed with the assistance of JobKeeper but like many clubs, it has felt the pinch of being forced to close its supporters club.

“They are our cash cows and when you close the doors, you impact the revenue going into the surf club,” Northcliffe club president David Shields said.

“For things to be closed at such short notice, unless you had money in the bank, clubs were almost destitute as of

March 23 because we’ve got bills coming in.

“We’ve been in a position to keep all of our full-time staff on but we’re also planning and forecasting for the season ahead and hoping our supporters club is up and running sooner rather than later.”

In the meantime, Northcliffe surf sport coaches have been temporarily deployed into club maintenance and still cleaning and the club found other avenues to costs.

Shields said the club was committed to continuing to deliver one of Australia’s most robust and successful surf sports programs but it would also have to tread carefully without knowledge of what a post-coronavirus world might look like.

“We’re going to be responsible has cut with the revenue we’re able to generate but it’s still unknown how our supporters club and the hospitality industry in general will bounce back,” he said.

“Our surf sports program requires considerable funds and we believe that it is a good model.”

The club hopes to commence modified group training on June 12 in line with government regulations after the Queensland and Australian surf lifesaving championships were cancelled abruptly in March.

“Everyone was looking forward to it and it all came crashing down pretty quickly and that shock has dragged on even up until now,” Shields said.

“Everyone is just keen to get back to the club again.”