A cold start to warm the heart

IS THERE a colder place to be around these parts on a wintry Saturday morning than Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay? I wouldn’t think so. I don’t know if it’s the altitude, proximity to the ocean or the open farmland nearby, but the wind blows across the fields at the home of the mighty Surf Coast FC like shards of glass.

I should know. I’ve been shivering there every Saturday morning for the past four months watching my young son learn the ropes of the world game from some great and dedicated coaches.

I think the only thing that prevented hypothermia from setting in was the coffee and snag I’d always get from the club canteen.

And who says parenting’s not all about making sacrifices?

I could certainly think of better ways to spend my winter weekend mornings.

Tucked up in bed for starters.

But to be honest, amid all the complaining, I wouldn’t want it any other way. For me it was one of the drawcards of parenthood. My dad was there every week throughout my own junior sporting years and was always good for a bit of advice, some moral support and a trip through the Maccas drive-thru afterwards. They’re cherished memories for us both, something I want my own son and I to share, too. The season drew to a close on Saturday and I must say I’ll probably miss it more than my son will. But don’t get your nomination forms out for Father of the Year just yet. Apparently I do have a threshold. My son was also doing Auskick at the Torquay Tigers on Sunday mornings — another great local club with equally great junior coaches — but the thought of a second early weekend start in arctic conditions was just too much to bear.

Luckily for me, his mum also wanted a slice of the proud parenting action and took on footy duties this year.

She loved it as much as our son did and they’d always return home, sausage in hand and flushed with excitement, keen to fill me in on what I’d missed.

And I love hearing about it, believe me.

But I had to draw the line when she started going on about how cold it was.

There’s nowhere as cold as Bunyul Warri Reserve.