O and M clubs scraping by in pandemic without support of sponsors

With a number of businesses feeling the pinch due to restrictions on social gatherings, particularly the closure of pubs and clubs, which are regular sponsors of sporting outfits, Ovens and Murray clubs have had to make a number of changes to stay alive.

Lavington president Mark Sanson revealed the reigning premiers have had to explore different revenue streams.

"A lot of our big sponsors are pubs and clubs and with their doors being closed, despite the fact we've got a healthy relationship with them, it's a bit rude to be asking them for money when they're struggling and we don't have a product," Sanson said.

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"From a revenue perspective, we're significantly down on where we'd normally be.

"The O and M clubs have had some meetings with a guy called Terry Dillon from Terry Dillon Solutions, which the O and M league have got involved in helping clubs.

"They've come up with some really creative ideas for clubs to get themselves through this current situation and create some new revenue streams moving forward post COVID-19.

"Sponsors are going to be reluctant to commit because of the impact."

Sanson added football returning in 2020 wouldn't necessarily help the cause given the key revenue opportunities early in the season have already been lost.

"The first two or three home games you're looking at generating $60,000 or $70,000 in profit," he said.

"It's good weather, you've got people coming out to watch. Often in the middle of the year you don't generate as much income."

Myrtleford president Ian Wales said the club is fortunate to have got itself in a position where it can absorb some short-term pain.

"We're definitely not pestering the sponsors by any means because we understand the predicament everyone is in," he said.

"In times gone by, they've always helped, so hopefully if something does happen, they're in a position where they can still help us get back to normality as quickly as possible."

Wodonga Raiders president Mark Johnston said there has been a drop-off from sponsors.

"We've minimised our costs involved this year, but we still have overheads we've got to keep unfortunately, so we're just scraping through at this point in time," he added.

All three agreed it would not be viable to play with crowd restrictions in place.