The crucial role volunteers play at local football and netball clubs goes largely unnoticed each season.
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From sorting the team sheets, to running the water, washing the jumpers and cleaning up after each game, their tireless actions help keep clubs afloat.
In essence, they are the heart and soul of clubs.
But as we exit the cancelled 2020 season, football and netball clubs are entering a pivotal time of their existence.
Volunteers are more important now than ever before.
And it's time to showcase and appreciate the hard work completed by our loyal club servants.
There is no arguing Leigh Hanning's heart beats true for the red and the blue.
His involvement with Shepparton United Football Netball Club began at an early age.
After donning the club's colours as a junior, he instantly fell in love with his beloved Demons.
But he also soaked up the invigorating atmosphere football and netball clubs deliver.
The early morning frost on the oval, the sound of tooting car horns after each goal, to the packed bar full of former players and the roar from the netball courts.
This was and still is his home.
And after a brief period of competitive cycling, he signed up as a United member in 1981 — a tradition that has never stopped in 40 years.
During those four decades, Hanning decided to give back to a club that means so much to him.
“I started doing little bits and pieces of volunteering back in 2006 and that was only part-time until I retired,” Hanning, 63, said.
“Once I retired from work in 2015 I had a lot more time on my hands and that's when my involvement really ramped up.
“I do a lot of jobs around the club, I put my hand up to help out if they need a hand for anything.
“I help out with ordering supplies in, sorting out all the jumpers, cleaning up the rooms after games and tidying up after functions.”
But for all his volunteering around the club and off the field, Hanning spends a lot of time in the clubrooms with the football sides.
“I help out with the stats in the seniors and I try to get to each training to help out,” he said.
“But I like to help with the ressies, they are always forgotten in between the thirds and senior games.
“I was team manager for the ressies for about five years, it was something I really enjoyed doing.”
Volunteering at Shepparton United has brought Hanning plenty of enjoyment over the past 15 years.
He has forged many friendships, that still continue to this day and, although he has dedicated almost a quarter of his life to volunteering, he still unearths and creates many more.
“I like the social side of mixing and meeting new faces,” he said.
“Since I've started I've formed some great friendships. I like to keep in touch with all the past players and people that come and go.
“You meet some wonderful people. It's fun and you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
“It gives you another outlet and I just really enjoy being around the club.”
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