A passion for soccer

By Lia Bichel
A LOCAL Rotarian with a passion for soccer is kicking goals with students across Casey and Cardinia.
Pakenham resident and member of the Narre Warren Rotary Club, Rob Hastings, founded the Cardinia United Junior Soccer Club and together with the Football Federation Victoria (FVV) and local councils, hosted the Casey Cardinia Inter Schools 5-side soccer tournament last week.
Almost 200 Grade 5 and 6 boys and girls from across Casey and Cardinia battled it out to win the tournament, which was held at Lakeside Reserve, Pakenham, on 22 March.
Three separate games were held simultaneously on six pitches with no goalkeepers and no off-side.
The most valuable boy and girl received a Memorial Trophy donated by the Narre Warren Rotary Club to honour the life of Graeme Maggs, a passionate soccer enthusiast who lost his battle with cancer in September last year.
The recipients were Reece Robic from Oatlands Primary School and Sarah McDougal from Pakenham Consolidated School.
Mr Hastings said the event was a great success and a positive experience for the students.
“The kids had an absolute ball,” he said. “Many of the sides had a strong representation of children from overseas countries and it was wonderful to see such a spirited, competitive and all action team event with an equal number of boys and girls taking part.”
“The coming together of so many youngsters from different backgrounds, races and cultures in a fun, but seriously competitive environment, was most refreshing and speaks realms for the ability of our sport to bring about racial harmony and understanding,” he said.
Mr Hastings thanked the FFV for supporting the tournament and providing popular Socceroos scarves for all the winners and to Melbourne Victory for donating caps, which put a smile on the faces of the losing finalists. Mr Hastings said he looked forward to next year’s tournament and hoped it would be bigger and better.