Broadie to give back to marvel
VOLUNTEERS are the heart and soul of AFL community clubs across the state, with their contributions normally going unnoticed each season.
At Broadbeach, there’s a particular person who’s made an extraordinary impact – Kelly Hardy, the Cats junior girls co-ordinator.
And this quote is indicative of her positive spirit.
“I have been fighting bowel cancer for over 18 months and I can’t continue to fight it for ever,” she said.
“So in true Kelly style I am having a living funeral. If my friends and family are going to turn up to celebrate my life I am sure as hell going to be there.”
Kelly hosted her own “living funeral” last weekend when all junior and youth girls games were played at home.
This weekend, it’s the club’s turn to give back.
Kelly arrived at the Cats in early 2019. At the time the club had one under-17 girls team.
Within two years and with Kelly’s dedication, the club has grown to seven girls teams in junior and youth competitions.
Broadbeach juniors president Jason Cunningham said Kelly had been instrumental in the growth of female football at the Gold Coast club.
“We all know female football has grown organically over the past few years but I have no doubt Kelly’s passion for girls footy has contributed to the significant growth at Broadbeach,” he said.
“As a club it’s important for us to have people like Kelly who the girls feel safe with and has their best interest at heart.”
Sadly, in 2019 Kelly was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and has recently been told by doctors her disease is now terminal.
“The first thing Kelly said to
me when she got the news was that she didn’t want to stop being involved in the club; she will always be a valuable member of our committee,” Cunningham said.
“Never once has she said, ‘why me’ or ‘this isn’t fair’. It’s honestly a true testament to the positive woman Kelly is.”
A devoted fan and Suns member, Kelly has never missed a home game. She has planned her treatments around the Suns’ fixture.
She says the next 12 months are about living every day to the full, making memories, watching her daughters grow up and continuing to be handson at the Cats.
Cunningham said Kelly was a volunteer every club dreamt of having.
“She pours her time and energy into creating a healthy female AFL community,” he said.. “Both her daughters umpire and play for Broadbeach in the under-13 and 15s competition, and her legacy will live on in them,” he said.
On Monday, the Cats will host a club “FUNraiser” to raise much-needed funds for the Hardy family. “It’s a way for our club to give back to a lady who has given so much,” Cunningham said.