Sustainable Sport NEWS

The drought in outback Queensland is having a devastating impact on local sport, as evidenced by the state of the local sports field in the tiny town of Ilfracombe.

The field in the drought-stricken town is in such a poor state that local rugby league team the Ilfracombe Scorpions will not be able to host any home games this year.

Club Treasurer Nadia Wakefield told the ABC that not being able to host games is a big blow to the drought-stricken community.

Wakefield stated "Ilfracombe and the surrounding areas are a huge support to our team and I know they love coming and watching us.

"I think it's sad that they won't be able to do that, they won't be able to have that night off and not think about what situation they're in.

"I feel that coming to a football match and supporting a team you love really provided that reprieve."

Wakefield says hosting no home games will also have a serious financial impact on the club for while sponsors cover the cost of uniforms for the team the club raises the rest of its money on its own.

She adds “all our other revenue is raised through fundraising, the gate, the bar and the canteen, so it means we're not going to be able to pay for things like strapping, first aid, bus hire fees to actually get away to play football.”

The club was also scheduled to host the rugby league 12YU Queensland State Championships in June but that will no longer be possible.

Wakefield continued "due to the circumstances we're just not going to be able to do that, so that's been a huge loss to the community.

"Not only (is this a loss) to Ilfracombe but Longreach as well because they were going to be hosting all the accommodation for it."

Wakefield says the club stopped watering its field in September last year because Longreach Regional Council planned to returf the grounds, but the Council has been unable to do the work due to the current drought situation in Ilfracombe.

The town is currently on level 4 water restrictions.

Click here to view the original story by Blythe Moore and Danny Kennedy.

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