THERE isn’t a sport in Cootamundra that isn’t run off the goodwill of volunteers and when it comes to junior sport, that goodwill generally comes from the parents of participants.
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Clubs have an opportunity to pay credence to their valued members through the presentation of life memberships.
The Cootamundra Junior Rugby League Club took exactly this chance recently recognising current vice president Gerard Duncombe as a Life Member.
Gerard has been part of the club since his eldest son, Jackson, now 21, joined.
Son Harry has also made his way through the junior league ranks and daughter Matilda currently plays leaguetag.
Always keen to do his bit behind the scenes the dedicated dad has coached along the way, helped at fundraisers and with his background as a builder he has been instrumental in helping with improvements to Nicholson Park including the timekeeper’s box and weather shelter.
The committee has also done work to the playing surfaces at the home of junior league including top-dressing the soil and installing new goal posts.
He and president Stephen Howse liaise weekly during the football season to ensure each Saturday is smooth sailing for the kids and parents and any issues which crop up on the day are dealt with by the committee including Gerard.
“There’s a lot of work that goes in behind the scenes and I know I can always count on Dunc,” Stephen said.
It has been a terrific partnership between the two over the last six years, holding the top two positions during that time and seeing junior league in Cootamundra go from strength to strength.
Gerard lists the introduction of leaguetag to the game as a highlight of his time with the club.
This season there were around 60 girls registered for leaguetag with more and more joining since the girls form of the game joined the boys.
“It has created a real family day each Saturday, instead of the dads coming down to watch their sons, the daughters can play and that brings the mums too, it’s worked really well and the kids love it,” Gerard said.
Chuffed to be awarded life membership, Gerard said he does not do what he does for the accolades but could not have been prouder to be given the honour.
He thanked this wife Julie for allowing to be as involved as he has been over the years.
“I couldn’t do what I do without her help, she’s always been there managing teams and looking after the other kids while I’m doing what I’m doing. She deserves this as much as I do,” Gerard said.
It may be the off-season for footy but the show is rolling on with plenty of work behind-the-scenes already taking place to ensure the 2015 season is even bigger and better than this year.
