The end of an era
Once home to a number of the state’s premier sporting associations – including NSW Rugby and the NSW Olympic Committee – the NSW Sports Club has been forced to close its doors due to significant and ongoing financial losses.
The club’s city premises – once a bustling hub of the Sydney sporting community – now lies dormant, with the entry brandishing a notice of administration and the second story window playing host to a large ‘for lease’ sign.
Established in 1896, the club purchased the Hunter St building in the early 1900s but had to sell the property several years ago to stay afloat.
According to Chairman Frank Malcolm, the club was “the home of amateur sport in NSW” in the early years before becoming more of a businessman’s club in the mid ‘60s. Mr Malcolm said the period between 1960 and 1980 was the club’s “heyday” but the club has since struggled to turn a profit.
Despite a number of attempts to increase revenue, the club’s 2012 annual report revealed a total comprehensive loss of over $700 000. As a result, the club went into voluntary administration and ceased trading on April 23.
“The problem was that we were not getting the traffic off the street,” said Mr Malcolm. “We had regular members but we were not generating new business.”
Clubs NSW CEO Anthony Ball said he was saddened to see the club close. “The NSW Sports Club is one of Sydney’s oldest not-for-profit clubs and it’s a real shame to see a club with 117 years of history close its doors,” he said.
Mr Ball noted the closure of the club was part of an ongoing trend. “In the inner Sydney area alone, 12 clubs have shut their doors over the past decade – that’s more than one every year,” he said
Brian Stoeckl, head of the club’s 1896 Restaurant, said there was a strong corporate clientele and that a number of groups – including the NSW Rod Fishers’ Society – used the club for meetings and functions.
“There were about 18 groups who would meet quite regularly, either monthly or weekly. Friday lunches were exceptionally busy,” he said.
Andrew Harris, Honorary Secretary of the Rod Fishers’ Society, said that the club had provided them with useful space for functions. “The facilities for us have been great, the food was absolutely excellent and we will miss it,” he said.
Mr Malcolm agreed, recalling the club had been an important part of his life even before he became Chairman. “It is sad to see the club end like this and I will miss it terribly,” he said.
By Keira Morris-Akeroyd
