By Joe Stroud
Ferntree Gully’s local sporting clubs have always been a beacon for the kids in our community.
For decades and in some instances, over a century, local clubs have provided a sanctuary of activity where the stressors of a child’s day-to-day life can be temporarily discarded and where they can develop their athletic skills. However, the skills a child learns in this environment are not exclusive to the sporting field – they are lessons that will travel with them throughout the rest of their lives.
We are all aware of the opportunities to improve social skills and introduce comradery that organised sport provides for young people, but also we can easily see the other positive impacts that it produces. It instills a sense of community pride and tradition and provides a connection from our past to our present. It places a premium on the values of respect and appreciation, not only for each other, but also for our public amenity, while also offering a safe and constructive outlet for the energies of youth to be joyfully channelled.
But perhaps most importantly, sport creates the opportunity to create lifelong friendships.
A child may only play a few seasons of junior sport but can end up making friendships that last a lifetime. These connections are often the bedrock that inspire the next generation of community club coaches, administrators, and volunteers to take the reins when the old guards retire their posts.
Ferntree Gully Footballers Cricket Club is proud of each and every one of our junior players and proud to be an ongoing part of a fabric that helps our kids grow, achieve and be safe in the community.
If you would like to know how to get involved, contact Lachlan on 0423518156 or email secretaryfootballerscc@gmail.com