Chapter: The Silent Departures

Chapter: The Silent Departures

In the years following the height of the club’s activity, a quiet exodus unfolded. Parents who once cheered on the sidelines, volunteers who gave up their evenings and weekends — they began to disappear. Not with protest. Not with drama. Just silence. One by one, they walked away without a word. And their silence left a deeper wound than many realised.

At the time, it felt like abandonment. It was easy to wonder: did they just stop caring? How could they turn their backs without saying anything? Did the friendships, the shared bus journeys, the cold sideline coffees mean nothing?

But over time, it became clear: their silence didn’t always mean they didn’t care. It often meant they were hurt too.

Some were afraid. The atmosphere inside the club had grown controlling — and many feared retaliation. Speaking up might have meant being pushed out, not just for themselves but for their loved ones. Some had already tried raising concerns and were ignored. Eventually, they lost hope that anything could change.

Others were emotionally burnt out. They had given so much — energy, patience, heart — only to be let down. The weight of disillusionment made it too painful to stay, and too heavy to explain.

Some left quietly to protect the people they loved. To shield their children or friends from further damage or drama. To preserve what few good memories remained.

A few may not have seen the full extent of the problems. Or they couldn’t find the words. Or the strength.

And some carry shame. They knew things weren’t right, but didn’t act. Maybe they meant to speak up later, but now feel it’s too late. The guilt is paralysing.

But silence, in the end, only serves the system that caused the harm.

That’s why this story is being told — to break the silence. To give voice to the ones who were left behind. To say the things others were too tired, too frightened, or too wounded to say.

Because caring isn’t enough. Truth matters. And history deserves to be told, even when it hurts.


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