A COMMUNITY sense of pride has allowed the Osborne footy club to earn kudos on social media for all of the right reasons.
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This club nestled in the Eastern Riverina near Lockhart in southern NSW can be found in the middle of farming land.
In fact, locals laugh that it is a footy club without a town. But it’s a footy club that has earned the respect of many.
It has produced top players, multiple premiership sides, and is considered a top training ground to encourage young people in football and netball.
On a tree, on the side of the road, there is an honour roll of achievements. Every year, since 1981 (except 2010) the club has had either a premiership football or netball team to support.
Locals know the ground looks good. But when a photo taken by Jason Gooden was circulated on social media recently even those at the club were surprised and heartened by the reaction.
Mr Gooden is the president of Osborne Football Club and says the maintenance of the grounds was certainly a community effort.
He his helped by Jason Webster who is the president of the Recreation Ground. Mr Webster’s canola crop borders much of the ground.
The purchase of a specialist hydraulic turf mower by the club has allowed the field to have a “manicured” or striped look.
And Mr Gooden sought plenty of advice about grass varieties, care that was needed, and fertiliser regimes from specialist ground keepers who were working in the sporting industry.
In fact, the look of the ground inspired him to write a poem which was also well received on social media.
Osborne footy ground poem by Jason Gooden: “Last game of home and away, a club without a town, with canola in the background.”
The impetus to take the groundskeeper roles to the next level occurred in about 2000.
At this time the Riverina – and much of Australia for that matter – was in the grips of one of the worst droughts.
During this time the ground was inspected and deemed too hard to host games.
“The community worked hard to get it working … since then we have had a lot of new improvements,” Mr Webster said.
“The community and the people here have worked hard and created a culture that is truly a family orientated club,” he said.
Meanwhile, the importance of the volunteer in making this club a success was penned by Andrew Hunter.
The power of the volunteer by Andrew Hunter:
Everyone who visits Osborne comments on the quality of the playing surface.
Having visited two other leading venues lately I think it is safe to say it is the best in the region. All this is on some hard red clay (according to Jason Webster who is known as Spud) which used to be regarded as Osborne’s version of an anti-welcome mat, complete with bindii eyes. How has it been achieved? Largely through volunteer power. This year 200 tonnes of sand were carted from Wagga by volunteers, and spread by volunteers.
Donated lime, gypsum and fertiliser were spread, by volunteers. The ground was seeded by volunteers. Donated chemicals again were applied by volunteers.
Another $9000 or so was spent on seed, to purchase sand and the running expenses. A large portion of this money was raised through volunteer efforts. And on top the ground is mowed, marked and generally maintained (including seasonal covering and uncovering of the pitch) by volunteers.
Professional guidance given by Patrick Madden on a voluntary basis ensures everyone’s efforts are well directed.