By Callum Ludwig
Seville Football Netball Club is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and a design for a special match day jumper has been released.
The jumper will be worn by players on their Past Players Day on Saturday 20 August to recognise the efforts of the people who have passed through the club.
Mick Shore (the self-proclaimed extremely talented and good-looking) President of Seville FNC said the idea for the jumper was proposed by his son Troy.
“He came up with the idea of putting every president, life member and premiership coach we’ve ever had on the jumper,” he said.
“It’s a really good concept, we are just scared that we are going to miss one! But they have had really good reviews and there’s been a good response from people.”
The jumper’s design was gleaned from the names on the honour board at the club and best club person award winners.
Mr Shore said the club is in the throes of planning the Past Players Day.
“At this stage, we haven’t got any guest speakers but we will be holding a luncheon for any past players, supporters or partners, and our major raffle will also be on that day,” he said.
“We’ve had some power sides over the years, plenty of good points even though we’ve had ups and downs like any club really so it will be a good day.”
Life members will get a free anniversary jumper and a designated pick-up bus is also being organised for some of the older past club members.
Mr Shore said past players and club members are paramount to any club’s strength.
“It’s what you need to do, and we haven’t done a very good job of showing recognition to those who’ve gone through the club, but over the last couple of years, we’ve got the club going again, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what kids are doing down there [in the junior club], whether it be football or netball, but once the renovations of the ground and clubrooms are done, I think it will change the town.”
Seville’s senior football side is currently forming a historic Seville side, having only lost their first game of the season in round 10 to Gembrook-Cockatoo by a point, all despite the loss of captain and club legend Nathan ‘Cooney’ O’Keefe to a season-ending knee injury.
Mr Shore remained coy over the team’s chances and said there are a few good sides out there at the moment.
“There is Gembrook and Emerald and a young Berwick Springs side who I believe will do something, maybe not this year but in the years to come,” he said.
“In my honest opinion, we’ve lost Nathan who’s arguably the best footballer in the competition if not one of the best, and you can’t lose that without upsetting the balance of the team. Someone will hopefully step up but it’s knocked the campaign around a little.”
