One FESTIVAL in the hand is worth two in the bush when it comes to local sports clubs.
The postponement of the Tamworth Country Music Festival has come as a relief to businesses that still have money for visitors, but local football clubs that rely on camper income have been told many will not be back in April.
Tamworth Magpies Rugby Union Club chairman Mitch Hanlon has said that in trying to look at the glass half-full he cannot deny the financial blow the festival reshuffle has inflicted on his budget.
“That’s $ 50,000 in income that we don’t get for a second year to pay off our mortgage,” he said.
“We don’t think they’ll be coming here in April, we asked them how many would be interested in coming and if they want we will.
“If we have to postpone matches or move them to another location, we will, because we want to take care of those customers and get income as well.”
The team is still repaying a loan of $ 300,000 to redevelop the clubhouse, and between paying to have electricity already installed for the campers, a land guard on the payroll and reservation fees lost, their result. net took a serious hit.
“The income goes through the floor, it’s in the toilet,” he said.
“Other soccer fields and sports clubs are in the same boat, we will have to go see our sponsors and see if they can come up with a sponsorship – we have about $ 3,000 in the bank and we need $ 10,000 a month. to survive.”

EXPENSIVE TRAVEL: Tamworth Pirates Rugby Club President Mark Mark Gallienne hopes campers return in April. Photo: Peter Hardin
At Tamworth Pirates Rugby Club, President Mark Gallienne said people had already started canceling reservations before the festival was postponed.
“We informed people of what was going on and gave them the option to refund or keep their deposits for April,” he said.
“I think people are really flexible now and a lot more understanding than before.”
The festival is now April 18-24.
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