By RUSSELL BENNETT
FOOTY is truly a game for everyone. It doesn’t matter what your personal circumstances are – the hardships you’ve gone through, or the ones you’re currently battling. It’s truly a game for anyone who wants to pull their socks up and give it a red hot crack.
Anyone who has seen the Casey Cobras play, or met their players or support staff, will know they’ve seen the enjoyment of footy in its purest form.
The club plays in the RecLink competition, which through its own motto is all about “rebuilding lives through sport and arts”.
Many of the Cobras have done it tough, or still are. The completion is designed for socially disadvantaged people, such as those with problems with alcohol or substance abuse, mental illness, or who’re homeless. Anyone can play – footy is just a great release.
But on the verge of the 2016 season, the Cobras – which was set up a little over 15 years ago in Doveton as the ‘Casey Kangaroos’ – is desperately on the lookout for more players and community support. The future of the club is in jeopardy.
Make no mistake – this side is used to winning, having won premiership, after premiership, after premiership – but winning isn’t the be all and end all. The love of the game, and mateship, is.
Casey’s president – and its only ever coach – Gary Lambert knows that better than anyone.
With the prospect of an AFL umpiring career ahead of him, his life was turned upside down in a 1992 car crash.
“It pretty much took my whole life away from me – I went through serious depression and that type of stuff, but it (the club) has helped me in my own mental self,” he said.
“I’ve been here since day one and I’ve got a good relationship with a lot of these guys. They can ring me up at any time of night and they know that. If they’re struggling they can ring me and we’ll have a talk.
“I want to see these guys get better and succeed. They’ll use an excuse – saying they’ve got schizophrenia or bipolar – but I don’t care.
“I’ve got depression, and when I was really sick I thought about taking my own life as well. For me to go from the lowest point I was at to where I am now … I’ve lived what they’re living. I’ve experienced it.”
Gary has a loving wife and a big, supporting family. In fact, through his footy club, he has two families.
As well as sponsors to help cover their expenses, the Cobras are desperately searching for as many as a dozen new players to cover those who retired at the end of last season. Age, fitness, gender, or experience in the game are irrelevant. Absolutely anyone is welcome.
The Cobras are now based at Lawson Poole Reserve in Cranbourne, and play every second Wednesday during football season. For more information or to pledge your support call Gary on 0425 763 072 or email jaygee5@bigpond.com.
