From the President
In part I of this exciting topic we looked at the aspect of players leaving personal belongings and rubbish behind, now let’s take another quick peek from a club perspective.
On a Saturday or Sunday morning, if anyone is around early enough a figure can usually be seen carrying some or all of the following; a bag of jerseys, a bag of soccer balls, team sheets, ice packs, first aid kit, maybe even some personal belongings. They will then go on to be responsible for up to 15 players for the next hour or so. The real challenge will come when it is time to go, can they ‘leave only footprints’? From the club perspective, can they leave with all of the gear they brought in?
When we started this season Woodbridge SC had 19 size 5 training balls, these are used for the under 13’s and up. Over the course of this season we have lost at least 4 of these training balls at away games (seniors). When I took senior training on Tuesday we had only 6, this is a serious attrition rate and we are not even half way through the season. If anyone is butchering a pig could we have the bladder please because at this rate we’ll need it?
Is it because we live in a ‘throw away’ society or is it something more? Is it because children are given so much these days without really earning it? Or is it purely the coach or managers fault for not keeping track of the equipment?
Whatever the reason, the club (players, parents and coaches) needs to somehow change this attitude. Training balls are just one example; a new senior strip purchased in 2008 is another; we only have half of those shirts left.
The approach the current committee is taking is to provide quality equipment, quality coaching and working towards improving facilities so that members of Woodbridge SC can take pride in their club.
Players and spectators are converging on South Africa at the moment proudly representing their country, if we can instil a small portion of this pride in our club these problems will become a forgotten memory.
‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...’
Dalles Hayes.
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