It comes after The Daily Telegraph reported on an internal document called the 'Volunteer Management Framework', saying some volunteers hang on too long and created a barrier to succession planning.

The sport's ruling body urged clubs to raise the finger to stalwarts "hanging on" past their "best before" date and send them on their way.

Cricket Australia have since clarified their stance, saying the language in the original document was unfortunate and in no way represented Australian cricket's view on volunteering.

"It has since been amended as outlined in the News Limited article," a statement read.

"In context, this document sought to provide support to volunteers in recruiting, retaining and succeeding - in essence to make volunteering easier for people at the grassroots.

"Every volunteer, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, ability or religion is so important to cricket.

"And this week, we honour and celebrate the contribution of all volunteers to the game in National Volunteer Week and at CA's A Sport For All Awards."

But FMNC technical director Larry Budgen said they would welcome elderly volunteers with open arms as numbers had diminished in recent years.

"Families are time poor so we need as many helpers as we can get to help with all clubs, large or small," he said.

"There are a lot of jobs to run a club and we need volunteers; there are a lot of things people don't see that need to be done in every club and they become a crucial part of that club environment."

Budgen admitted some clubs around the country were really struggling with a lack of volunteers on game day.

Tasks included helping with the canteen, answering questions about which field teams played on and putting the nets up and taking them down at the end of the day.

"Unfortunately there are clubs across the country that are down to two or three people doing everything and in the end you burn them out so we need more hands," Budgen said.

"Both parents normally work these days unlike years ago especially with multiple kids and it's become a bigger issue.

"No volunteers, no club."

Port Saints president Greg Bell said his club in particular were struggling for volunteer numbers.

"It's a constant battle to retain people, but I don't think we're lone rangers," he said.

"The people we're looking for might have had kids that left home and they don't know there are roles available around football."

While the club would welcome any volunteers, they had been missing people in key executive roles.

"We've been missing a secretary or a treasurer and you don't have to understand the game for that role," Bell said.

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