AFL RIVERINA RECORD – ROUND 1
Coolamon’s opening round game against arch-rivals Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong marked the start of their campaign for back-to-back RFL titles. But the reigning premiers also used the occasion to lend their support to something more important than football.
The club has been right behind the newly-formed Coolamon Shire Community Drug Action Team and dedicated its opening game of the season to raising drug awareness, as part of a campaign to help educate and inform the community.
“It’s come to people’s attention that drugs are an increasing problem for the younger generation,” said Coolamon President, John Piltz. “A group of us got together to recognise that we know there’s a problem, and formed a committee. It’s not particularly in Coolamon, it’s everywhere. The drug problem is no longer about ‘the people over there’. It affects all areas, so we thought let’s get out there and talk about it.”
In an age when businesses buzz with phrases like ‘corporate and social responsibility programs’ Coolamon’s initiative is a reminder that footy clubs are ahead of the game when it comes to playing a positive role in the community.
“Apart from giving people the opportunity to play sport in a community, they also have a critical role in bringing people together united in a common purpose,” Piltz said. “And in particular they give young people an opportunity to come together. In a small or regional town like Coolamon, it’s critically important. You need a focus for interaction.”
Winning the flag for the first time in 14 seasons helps everyone recognise the common purpose.
“It’s massive,” said new coach Lew Roberts. “You just see that night, back at the Sport and Recreation Club, the number of people there, it’s unbelievable. And the way people talk about it for months afterwards. The town really holds out for it. Now they can’t wait for the footy to start again.”
Sharing that premiership with a tight-knit community drummed home the impact sport can have beyond the boundary.
“It didn’t just lift players and members, it lifted the whole town. It was just incredible,” recalled Piltz. “Even people who aren’t involved in the footy club get a kick out of the team winning the premiership. It’s the unique aspect of being in a smaller place. We can have a bigger impact because of who we are in a small town.”
The drive to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs has the support of the entire club. New coach Roberts could have been forgiven for focussing purely on on-field issues… After taking over as senior coach from Matt Hard, he’s tasked with getting his team ready to defend a premiership.
But Roberts says the players realise that they also have a broader responsibility. “We want to get out there and help get the right message across. When kids see people from the footy club involved, it’s the same blokes they see playing on the weekend, and it can really have an impact.”
Times have changed since Roberts debuted for Coolamon as a schoolboy. A footy club’s involvement in a drug awareness campaign is a reflection of both the positive and negative aspects of those changes. “Life seems more complicated now. And society definitely has better awareness of issues, so that’s reflected in footy clubs too,” Roberts said. “It’s important to be an open footy club, to have the communications lines open. And for people to know — if you’re battling, talk to someone.”
GGGM was the only team that stood between Coolamon and an undefeated season last year, with the Lions pulling off an upset win in the final round of the home-and-away season. But the campaign to combat the use of drugs has united fierce rivals.
“I think it’s a great cause and really admire what John Piltz and Coolamon are doing,” said Ganmain committee member Phil Hatty. “We’d be naïve to pretend it’s not an issue. We’ve always had a strong stance at this club and talk to the players every year about alcohol and drugs. Footy clubs are great places for kids and the more we can do keep them on the right track, the better.”
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