Initially appearing in Bundaberg Today, 20 Sept. 2024 Print Edition
How do you describe what you do?
As the president of Across the Waves FC, I oversee the operations, growth, and development of our club.
First and foremost, that involves making sure our players, staff, volunteers and community are sup-ported.
Beyond that, I love getting down to as many games as possible as a spectator.
I also work as a service technician at Sunripe.
What experience do you bring to your role?
In terms of football, I've been involved at Across the Waves for over 18 years now, whether that's coaching and managing teams, or serving in different roles on the club's committee.
So, having been in heaps of different roles before becoming president definitely helps me to understand what we ask of our other volunteers as a committee.
What is your favourite thing about soccer/ football?
Football has a unique way of bringing people together.
A club is only as good as the people involved in it, and we are pretty lucky to have some incredible people apart of our Waves family.
When you're not at work, you are...
Being the president of ATWFC takes up most of my time outside of work.
What is something people may not know about you?
I'm a lawn addict, and a lot of my free time is spent working on it.
Where is your favourite place to travel?
Anywhere near water - which is why I'm so happy to live in Bundaberg.
What do you want to see happen in the region in the future?
I would love to see greater investment from government and council in football. As a club our success on the field has been fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to have a brilliant facility for our own club at The Waves Sports Complex, but for all clubs in the region to continue growing and to provide more opportunities for local players, we need improved infrastructure. Football is by far the highest participation sport in the state, but unfortunately our facilities are getting left behind.
If you could bring one thing to Bundaberg, what would it be?
I would love to see an upgraded football complex to serve as a hub for football in the Bundaberg region. Whether that's at Marten's Oval or elsewhere. I think you'll find that other regional towns around Queensland and Australia are getting quality, new facilities and they are enjoying the benefits in terms of youth participation and growth. The current community facilities at Martens Oval have been fantastic for a long time, and that is a credit to the volunteers and employees who have done so well to maintain it, but there is a bigger demand for football than ever before, and the region's facilities need to match that interest.
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