Post by aek210 on Apr 3, 2012 12:37:51 GMT 10
Submitted to The Roar - who knows if they will print it.
The State Leagues are off to a flying start. For an avid supporter of the game, there is something romantic about the teams that ply their trade in the various state leagues around the country. Many teams participating are ex-giants of the game. Central to the development of football, with a history spanning over 5 decades. Community teams, not franchises. This is football without the glitz and the glamour.
Teams that play in a league whose (let’s be honest) ruling state bodies do little to promote. These clubs are survivors, true grass roots clubs. Promotion, is often undertaken by the fans, putting their hands in their pockets for the good of the clubs. Of the fans, for the fans. Where, as supporters we can walk in off the street and speak to a director of our beloved clubs. No barriers.
And so it is against this backdrop that I found my way to Belmore Stadium to watch Sydney Olympic take on the Rockdale Suns. The game itself was fast, direct and physical. Emotions threatened to boil over on a couple of occasions. And willing the teams on, where the loyal supporters. Fans, who do not require million dollar advertising campaigns to get them through the gate. All they need is to know their club is playing.
Olympic’s fans were in in fine voice, while Rockdale’s supporters turned out in numbers. Despite the torrential rain, thunder and lighting, up to 3,000 fans poured into Belmore. High intensity football, played at an old suburban ground, the smell of food wafting through the air, fans singing, drums banging – what more could one ask for? This is where the heart and soul of football lies.
Flying in the face of the stereotypes, was the sheer diversity of the crowd. Sitting next to me was an elderly Greek man, eating his pumkin seeds (yes well stereotype adhered to in this instance). In front of me was an Asian man and his son, both clad in Olympic merchandise. And to his right were a group of African kids, no more than 16 years of age. In front of me to my left, were a group of Rockdale supporters. A family – an elderly statesman, parents and a group of 4 kids.
This is the face of State League Football today. That despite many of the teams been thrown on the scrap heap, with Federations who care little to promote the competition, they have survived and many are beginning to thrive once again. The supports are not just the elderly, as many would have you believe. But young people of diverse back grounds. Young fans not hung up by the stereotypes of the past. At half time, I got to speaking to an Olympic supporter, of English origin who proudly wore his teams jersey. I asked him what drew him to the club. He stated without hesitation, the history, the community of the club. Like many fans in England, he did not follow top flight football, turned off by the commercialism. Instead he chose to barrack for a team in the lower leagues.
In tough times, some teams have begun to prosper. Indeed South Melbourne now play in a refurbished stadium. Their opening match of the season drew up to 4,000 people. Adelaide City, that proud team from the city of churches now has poker machines to supplement its revenue. While some clubs struggle others, through sheer determination, business acumen and a little luck are now turning a profit. Their flame could not be extinguished, they stand as proud testaments the game in this country. On solid pillars of community, passion, family and history.
It will be a great year for state league football. I would encourage everyone to get out there and support your local team. Be the heart and soul of your club. Be a valued supporter. This is what football is all about.
The State Leagues are off to a flying start. For an avid supporter of the game, there is something romantic about the teams that ply their trade in the various state leagues around the country. Many teams participating are ex-giants of the game. Central to the development of football, with a history spanning over 5 decades. Community teams, not franchises. This is football without the glitz and the glamour.
Teams that play in a league whose (let’s be honest) ruling state bodies do little to promote. These clubs are survivors, true grass roots clubs. Promotion, is often undertaken by the fans, putting their hands in their pockets for the good of the clubs. Of the fans, for the fans. Where, as supporters we can walk in off the street and speak to a director of our beloved clubs. No barriers.
And so it is against this backdrop that I found my way to Belmore Stadium to watch Sydney Olympic take on the Rockdale Suns. The game itself was fast, direct and physical. Emotions threatened to boil over on a couple of occasions. And willing the teams on, where the loyal supporters. Fans, who do not require million dollar advertising campaigns to get them through the gate. All they need is to know their club is playing.
Olympic’s fans were in in fine voice, while Rockdale’s supporters turned out in numbers. Despite the torrential rain, thunder and lighting, up to 3,000 fans poured into Belmore. High intensity football, played at an old suburban ground, the smell of food wafting through the air, fans singing, drums banging – what more could one ask for? This is where the heart and soul of football lies.
Flying in the face of the stereotypes, was the sheer diversity of the crowd. Sitting next to me was an elderly Greek man, eating his pumkin seeds (yes well stereotype adhered to in this instance). In front of me was an Asian man and his son, both clad in Olympic merchandise. And to his right were a group of African kids, no more than 16 years of age. In front of me to my left, were a group of Rockdale supporters. A family – an elderly statesman, parents and a group of 4 kids.
This is the face of State League Football today. That despite many of the teams been thrown on the scrap heap, with Federations who care little to promote the competition, they have survived and many are beginning to thrive once again. The supports are not just the elderly, as many would have you believe. But young people of diverse back grounds. Young fans not hung up by the stereotypes of the past. At half time, I got to speaking to an Olympic supporter, of English origin who proudly wore his teams jersey. I asked him what drew him to the club. He stated without hesitation, the history, the community of the club. Like many fans in England, he did not follow top flight football, turned off by the commercialism. Instead he chose to barrack for a team in the lower leagues.
In tough times, some teams have begun to prosper. Indeed South Melbourne now play in a refurbished stadium. Their opening match of the season drew up to 4,000 people. Adelaide City, that proud team from the city of churches now has poker machines to supplement its revenue. While some clubs struggle others, through sheer determination, business acumen and a little luck are now turning a profit. Their flame could not be extinguished, they stand as proud testaments the game in this country. On solid pillars of community, passion, family and history.
It will be a great year for state league football. I would encourage everyone to get out there and support your local team. Be the heart and soul of your club. Be a valued supporter. This is what football is all about.
