For the love of the game

Orange Waratah Junior Football Club President Rosemary Bargwanna, Club Registrar Jo Sinclair and Orange Waratah Sports Club President Darren Sinclair.

“You look out there now and there are kids running around on the football fields and as a sports club person that is the reason it is out there and why you do all the work,” says Orange Waratah Sports Club President Darren Sinclair.

Visit the Waratah grounds on any given weekend during the winter months and you will find the ground filled with children and adults, from first thing in the morning right through to the afternoon.

These past few seasons, the Orange Waratah Junior Football Club has had more than 600 registered players and hosts 20 to 25 matches every Saturday.

As is the case with grassroots clubs across Australia, this organisational feat is the work of just a handful of volunteers, who give up their time to make it all happen.

From line-marking through the week, to setting up soccer goals on an early winter morning, working out the weekly draw to stocking and operating a canteen — it all happens thanks to volunteers.

Darren Sinclair started playing soccer at Waratahs when he was four years old and has been involved in some capacity with the club ever since. He currently president of the Orange Waratah Sports Club while his wife has served on the Junior Football Club committee for the past 33 years.

“It wasn't until our kids started playing that I got involved,” said Jo, who has continued on as registrar despite her own children having long since moved on from the junior competition.

“It is a really good club and I suppose when you can see that you are doing good things for the community and for the kids that come to play, you just want to keep going.”

“It is just a really good feeling,” added Darren. “When you see the place full of people and you are providing something for the community… that's pretty much all we are doing, it is just for the community and for people to enjoy the facility.”

Compared to Darren and Jo, current Junior Football Club President Rosemary Bargwanna is a relative newcomer, having joined the committee just 23 years ago.

“But there is a lot to be gained from it,” she said.

“You form friendships out of it, which is nice,” said Rosemary. “And the feedback, you get parents coming and saying that with the amount of kids you’ve got it’s very well organised and for all the work that goes into organising all of it that’s nice to hear.”

“A bit of positive feedback every now and then doesn't go astray, because you do get a fair bit of negative stuff too don't worry,” added Darren. “But the positive, outweighs the negative stuff.”

Like so many sporting clubs and volunteer organisations, attracting new members can be challenging.

“That has been one of the hardest things,” said Jo “Everybody considers they don't have enough time, but I think you find time. There are things you've got to so and so you just turn up and do it.”

But every bit of help is appreciated, said Rosemary, whether it be on the committee or just putting up your hand to help in the canteen.

“Just because you come to a meeting doesn't mean you will get a position. You don't have to take a position, you may have a brilliant idea we have just never thought or maybe you could just order the pies or there are job that maybe people can do at home, people might have little kids and can't come to meetings. Everyone has got a skill and that little bit of help make a huge difference.”

The Orange Waratah Junior Football Club will be holding their annual general meeting on October 12 and welcome new volunteers for the 2021 season.