Sport participation in South Australia's Riverland has taken a dive, reflecting national trends that spell worrying times for regional clubs.
The Riverland, like many regional areas, loves its sport and has produced world-class athletes such as Olympic gold medal rower Alexander Hill and Aussie Rules legends Russell Ebert and Mark Ruccioto.
But heading into the busy winter season, when weekend athletes hit the footy field, netball courts and soccer pitch, participation numbers are down.
The Riverland Soccer Association typically runs men's A and B-grade competitions, but the second division could be cut this year because of low numbers.
Association president Michael Cartwright said junior participation was booming but the senior competition had officials worried.
"We're very conscious that we do have a number of people that are either involved in harvest for their own properties or harvest for their employment," he said.
"We're aware of that time of year, and that this is a difficult period for them and hopefully they're now coming to the end, which is one of the reasons we've set our start date a little further back.
Nationwide trend
Even Aussie Rules, the region's most popular sport, has seen numbers dwindle after a strong return in 2021 after the pandemic.
Sport SA chief executive Leah Cassidy said it was a problem across Australia, with research showing up to 9,000 clubs nationwide were vulnerable to folding due to a lack of volunteers and players.
She said COVID-19 had exacerbated many of the problems seen today, but "the impact of reduced volunteerism" was being seen "well before" it hit.
"Of course, community sport can only survive with volunteers — they are the heart and soul of the club," Ms Cassidy said.
"There is certainly a generational impact where we've got a lot of older volunteers and they're not being replaced by the younger generation.
Riverland Independent Football League's Cobdogla Eagles club is one of those feeling the pinch and will spend the 2022 season in recess while it searches for more support.
Committee member Colin Arnold said clubs could absorb some pressure, but adequate volunteers was vital.
"All the people on the committee, myself included, were looking to step away — we've been there for a long time, but there was no one there to put their hand up," he said.
"The pandemic hasn't helped with all the regulations we've had to abide by.
"People who may have been thinking about putting their hand up, they look at what's required – all the little bits and pieces – and say, 'I don't want to get involved in that.'"
Net benefit
But it is not all doom and gloom for every winter sport in the region — the Riverland Netball Association attracting some of its greatest participation numbers in years.
In Waikerie, the town will field its first A1 netball side in five years.
Riverland Netball Association patron Wendy Gambling said numbers across all ages were strong.
"This year Riverland netball has an 11-and-under competition on Saturday mornings, so that will bring more teams through," she said.
