|
Unsung Heroes |
|
|
Without the hard work of some of the behind the scenes people, the Redan Football Netball Club would not exist. These people all have an important role to play and don't always get the recognition they truly deserve. This page gives all Redan supporters a chance to find out more about some of these dedicated people. |
|
|
Jim McAninly - Bingo & Newsletter |
|
|
How did you first come to be involved with Redan? I
became involved with the club in 1987 when we moved to Ballarat on
purchasing a Mixed Business in What is you current involvement? My
current involvement is running the club's Bingo sessions every Monday
& Friday nights, writing the clubs newsletter and keeping a record
of games played of all players. Tell us about bingo and the role it plays for the club. I have
been involved with Bingo now for approximately 7 years now and we have
seen much improvement over this time. When I first took over Bingo we
found the pokies were making it difficult to make a good profit, but
over the past 3 years Bingo has fought back to once again become a good
way of raising funds for the club. We have approximately 80-100 players
most nights with everyone hopefully enjoying their night. What are some of the phrases used? Some of
the different phrases are: One little Duck 2, Downing St 10, Lovely Legs
11, Unlucky for some 13, Keys to the door 21, Half way there 45,
Clickety clix 66, Fat & Skinny 81, Top of the house 90. |
|
|
Gary Greville - Redan Cheer Squad Leader |
|
|
When did you first become involved with the club and why? Although I had no connection to the Redan Football Club I attended the crisis meeting held in May 1998 and felt it was very important for the future of the BFL that this great club with a proud history survive. I grabbed 5 members from the Mt.Clear Church of Christ and we pulled on the boots to keep the club going until we could rebuild the club one step at a time. Life's about taking risks and I'm glad I followed my heart and joined Redan Football Club. You even pulled on the boots at one stage, tell us about that? We lost our top three players in the first three weeks at the club and every week under the tracky I wore the shorts and socks as I knew the day would come where this 41 year old would have to play. I'm a man of great passion and nearly represented the BFL in junior footy but was too small but on 11th July 1998 when about 5 senior players failed to appear I pulled on the moron and gold. I had a quick nervous one, said a prayer, hoped my wife wouldn't divorce me and ran out to play centre half forward much to the delight and humour of the U18 s (looking like a mini Warwick Capper with those white umpiring boots!) We had only 15 players and my opponent was about 6`2" and the seconds hadn't scored. Within 15 seconds I'd kicked a goal and I'll never forget that roar....the roar of hope. Those guys played their guts out after that goal. Sunbury kicked 86 goals that day in the firsts and seconds and we only kicked one. Sunbury opened their rooms to us with great sportsmanship and we survived to fight another day. I won't brag about being the first Redan player to kick a goal against Sunbury, or that I became the quickest first game goal scorer in BFL. history, or being the first player over 40 to kick a goal with his first kick, and I certainly don't want to mention that in my first two games the opposition kicked 161 goals and Redan kicked three and that I kicked all three in only three quarters! I'm glad you asked me that question. How have you seen the club progress over the years since you become involved? Many people put up their hands and committed themselves long term. A great committee, the Past Players Association and a few golden oldies and don't forget the ladies who all worked together to form a great bond at the club. Being an ex umpire certainly had its moments and a few in the club told me I wasn't a Redanie and the new President told me my services weren't required the following year so I went back to the Umpires who rejected my application as I was "unpopular" amongst a few umpires. The future of any club lies in its juniors so I took on the role as Fitness Advisor at the club and one of my greatest thrills was getting the U 18`s fit enough to win consecutive Premierships as well as assisting Barry Darken the next year with the U 16`s. To see these Juniors progress to senior footy and achieve their goals has been the real success story of the club. To make three grand finals is a fairytale come true and is something that was never considered. What gave you the idea to start drumming at the Redan games? Its all Brett Quinlan's fault! It was just after Redan had beaten reigning premier Melton at the Eastern Oval and we had just sung the song, (many of the oldies with a tear in their eye) when the coach turned to the loyal few and thanked us for persevering through the tough times. He then asked that next week when we play Darley here could we bring some more friends and make them feel like this is our home. "COULD WE MAKE SOME NOISE OR SOMETHING !" ........well as the owner of BANG - Ballarat Drum Company I know how to make noise! Next week came and there I was with two other drummers in the Eastern Oval grandstand backed up against the corrugated iron with THREE DRUMKITS and THIRTY FLAGS! Much to my embarrassment, with 5 minuted to go in the seconds I looked at my mate Lyndon who wanted to hide, I looked at the 200 Darley supporters to our right and said ,......its time. One minute later the Redan Senior runner ran up the stairs and said could you stop, we can't hear the coach speak. The players ran out, we tried to inspire, I was abused by an elderly gentleman who said he had reported me to the BFL, an elderly man from Redan then told me I was the greatest man he'd ever met, then we were attacked by two lots of Darley supporters, my sticks were smashed and thrown out of the grandstand, I nearly followed, the Police were notified, reports completed, the spectators followed our team to the clubrooms, started a fight, got belted, and the BFL asked me if I wouldn't mind playing my drums on the other side of the oval in future as some people had complained! WE WON WHO CARES! What has been the best comment from an opposition supporter while you've been playing them? Last Saturday I was threatened by two gorillas at Melton South and had to stop playing because there son was asleep in the car! The look of terror in the eyes of the Sunbury canteen ladies who say...you're not that drummer are you...we hate the drums! But without doubt Darley supporters are the worst....the beer cans on top of the trailer....the many threats of where the drumsticks fit.......and ...if you hit them I'll hit you! Charming. |
|
|
Ian Gainey - Time Keeper Since 1998 |
 |
|
Tell us about how you first became involved with Redan? I became involved with the Redan when I was having a conversation with Doug Stewart in relation to doing some volunteering work with a sporting football club, he let me know that Redan was looking for some helpers to assist the club to get back on their feet again after a crisis meeting. How have you seen the development of the club both on and off the field in that time? I have seen the Redan get off their knees and kicked butt over the last 6 years I have been involved with them, the committee has been proactive in their ideas, they have attracted new sponsors and with help from the past players association they have been very enthusiastic and encouraged everyone to band together and tackle their objectives and goals in a teamwork approach. What was your reaction to the side winning the Premiership last year? WOW!!! and you bloody beauty was all I could say, I looked at my fellow timekeeper from Sunbury and just smiled at him and wallowed in the thought of a premiership victory, I then walked hopped and skipped onto the Eastern Oval as soon as I could to enjoy the celebrations with the victorious 2002 Premiers - Redan Football Club. Tell us about how you became time keeper for the club? I became the timekeeper of the Redan football Club because on one early cold and wet morning at the City Oval there was a need to timekeeper the Under 18's. Nobody put their hand up to do it so I said I'll have a go and for the following reasons I have not been able to say no. 1. I did it because I wanted to do it 2. A job was needed to be done effectively and efficiently 3. I now love it and 100 wild horses won't stop me from doing it. What does it take to be a good timekeeper? For a start you need a proper time clock that has current batteries, a running sheet from the BFL and you need to have the ability to concentrate, you need to keep the two field umpires in focus all the time and you also need a fellow timekeeper to be accountable and honest to both teams i.e., No cheating or unprofessional behaviour. Has anything gone wrong or have there been any disputes during the game in the timekeepers box? Yes and yes, sometime very recent (season 2003) there has been a time where a timekeeper from a football Club that starts with the letter B has forgotten to start the time clock in the last quarter and with trepidation I have offered my clock to him and he has replied with a comment of GF and its not Grand Final. Another time the late Mr. Blackburn from East Ballarat has become abusive and not very friendly in the timekeepers box, God rest his soul with respect. You've been a successful sportsman yourself, tell us some of your accomplishments? 1984 Paralympics team Member - London. Athletics 5000M & 10,000M 1986 World record holder 10,000M - London 10,000M 1988 Paralympic Team Member Seoul - Korea. 1500 M 5000M 10,000 M Completed 18 Melbourne marathons. Being a volunteer at the 2003 Paralympics in Sydney. Timekeeper for Redan F.C. 1998,1999,2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. In 2000 you were part of the Olympic Torch Relay, how much of a thrill was that? To begin the day's torch relay from the steps of the Ballarat Town hall at 6 A.M. and a few church friends watching was the biggest thrill I have ever had in Australia and one that I will never ever forget. I now have my own personal Olympic Torch proudly displayed in my lounge room at home in Werribee. |
|
|
Julie Anne Forbes - Kiosk since 1998 |
 |
|
How did you first become involved with the RFC? In the 1960's when my ex-husband (Garry Newman) played reserves for the club. Then again in 1998 when Doug Stewart who was trainer at the time suggested I get involved with the Redan and in particular with the canteen. How have you seen the development of the club in recent years? When I arrived in '98 morale around the club was rather low with things rather touch and go. With more good people becoming involved since then who have worked well together, things have improved dramatically. We still need more help though. How did you react to the Premiership win last year? I was overcome and shed some tears. I was so happy for Ian Cooney after all the hard work he'd put it in and all the hard years the club had gone through. How are the manners of the players/supporters? They are all great. What are the most popular items in the Redan canteen this year? Curly Wirlies and Hot Chips which were donated by McCain's. |
|
|
Trevor Godfrey - Gate Keeper since 1999 |
 |
|
Tell us about how you became involved with the RFC? I was asked to fill in for the gate man and have kept the job. How have you seen the development of the club? A major transformation from almost folding to winning the 2002 Premiership. What was your reaction to the Premiership last year? Fantastic! Do people ever try to avoid paying? Sometimes under blankets and back seats. What's been the best line to get out of paying? I only want to watch 2 minutes of my son's game.
The club is always in need of additional help so contact the club if you would like to become involved in any way. |
|
