That’s what it means to me
Bill Lovel is one of the more familiar football personalities across the region.
The Natimuk publican quickly recognises the value of community football and netball, having been a player, coach, president, general volunteer and sponsor.
With Horsham District Football Netball League set to play its first round for 2021 this weekend, The Weekly Advertiser asked Bill to provide his thoughts on the value of the games in the region –
For me, it’s the social aspect of it all – where us ex-players can have a chat with old team-mates and hang a bit of rubbish on each other.
But it also gives you a chance to get away from a work environment and you get to see the development of kids.
I played my last game when I was 48 with Horsham United, but before that, played with Natimuk, Homers and Minyip-murtoa. I also originally played at Maryborough.
The whole environment just brings the community together and focuses everyone on the one place and point in time.
It can’t be undersold for its social side because it attracts people from all walks of life – whether you’re a solicitor or someone who might be struggling a bit.
For a club to be successful, everyone needs to be able to rely on each other and your social standing doesn’t mean too much. The people in football-netball clubs are always vastly different.
I returned to Natimuk while getting into the pub game and was obviously keen to continue to be part of the footy club. But we’re supporters of the sports generally, also sponsoring Edenhope-apsley and Noradjuha-quantong clubs.
At Natimuk United there are a lot of blokes there who I played with, from both Horsham United and Natimuk, and our kids have played there as well. Then there’s the relatives and family ties through marriage. It’s great.
I think it will be good for everyone across the region when it all starts again. It is a critical social outlet and important for our communities.
Bill and Anne Lovel, right, recognise the value of community sport and love being involved in Horsham District league