LOVE OF JOEYS MAKES ROSS THE BOSS
ON the eve of St Joseph’s quest for a second GFL flag in three years, Joeys players are happy for it to be Ross Hultgren’s week.
Hultgren has been a volunteer for more than 15 years and senior team manager for the past five, doing his bit to help the club run like clockwork.
A popular figure among the players, Hultgren is responsible for all the paperwork, jumpers and collecting valuables as well as helping coach Heath Jamieson where he can.
Joeys are filled with volunteers who all play a role in ensuring the day-to-day operations run smoothly.
Every Saturday from 11am to 7pm, Hultgren and other club volunteers are there for every kick and every tackle.
Hultgren said everyone does it for the love of the club.
“Everybody does their bit, we have lots of volunteers and I’m just lucky enough I’ve got the gig I’ve got,” Hultgren said.
“Every club relies on volunteers and good people that want to give back.
“People love being involved where the kids are and they need the club.”
Being around the club two to three days a week is an outlet for Hultgren, who hasn’t looked back since becoming senior team manager in 2013, the same time Jamieson became coach.
Tomorrow will be extra special for Hultgren, whose two sons Dylan — captain of the reserves — and Rhys — senior player — will both be vying for premierships.
Hultgren is hoping the club can relive the emotions it felt after winning the 2015 premiership.
“We never take it for granted and feel very blessed to be in the position we are in,” he said.
“2015 was huge and it was great to be involved.
“It brought so much joy to so many people.
“Win or lose everyone will be together Saturday night because that’s what a club does.”