It's end of the road for St Pat's Sporting Club

At this stage the future of the sporting field, which is home to St Pat’s Rugby League Club’s senior and junior teams, is undecided, following a decision by members of the club to place it in liquidation on Thursday night.

St Pat’s Senior Rugby League Club president Garry Dennis said the full ramifications of Thursday night’s decision to liquidate would not be felt until an administrator is appointed.

He said the club aims to take over the grounds, which would be cared for by a band of volunteers.

“We’re aiming to take over the grounds and maintain them,” Mr Dennis said yesterday, adding volunteers from the club had been responsible for the grounds for many years.

“We hold working bees and our volunteers from both junior and senior clubs are there on the weekends. We’ve got some blokes doing the hand mowing, while others do the tractor mowing. And they’re all volunteers.”

President of St Pat’s Junior Rugby League [which has 18 teams and more than 300 players] Gary Goldsmith, who is working with Mr Dennis in the club’s bid to retain the facilities, assured parents it was business as usual.

“The players’ insurance is still in place, we’re working through the issues,” he said

"We've sought advice from the expert at the meeting and are confident we will have continued access to the grounds for training and playing purposes subject to meeting requirements," he said.

Mr Dennis said everyone involved with the rugby league club was devastated by the news of the liquidation.

“We were hoping desperately it wouldn’t come to this,” he said.

“It’s a sign of the times ... what can you do?”

Mr Dennis said with the rapid development of Kelso and Marsden estates it was hoped residents of the area would support the club.

“ I think everyone was hoping it [the growth of the area] would kick things along, but it didn’t. It’s very sad,” he said.

Mr Dennis said the club had a long, proud history and he acknowledged the work people like Neville Dawson and Terry Holden invested in establishing St Pat’s Club.

“There is a lot of history there,” he said.

Mr Goldsmith said parents with any queries about the junior rugby league can contact him on 0429 369 098.