Editorial: Congratulations Chilli

By Michael Sholly – @vafaceo

It was a pleasure to see the admiration shown to Kevin “Chilli” Segota on the weekend when he achieved the milestone of officiating in his 800th VAFA game on the weekend.  Chilli chose to have his 800th at Old Xaverians and in the goals at the other end was long time mate Anthony Damen who was officiating in his 560th match.  The words that spring to my mind when you think of VAFA football are loyalty, commitment, friendship and community and Chilli encompasses all these qualities.

We can’t all play the game forever so the clubs need to create an environment that is an enjoyable place for all its members. Whilst I am not here to make social commentary but the recent decline in attendance at some institutions has meant that football clubs need to provide a safe haven for the youth and not so youthful to acquire their community values.

The VAFA is filled with people who have spent years leading our clubs and made them a cultural beacon for their respective communities.  This week I had the pleasure of attending a function to celebrate the 30 years that former Old Xaverian president Robert Ralph made to his club. In 1986, at 25 years of age, Robert came onto the committee as the president. Old Xaverians had just been relegated to B Section and Robert was able to steer the club back into A Section in his first year and help build towards six consecutive senior premierships in the 1990’s.

There are many current presidents that spring to my mind who have contributed so much to their clubs.  Wayne Dyer has announced that he will not be continuing after 17 years as president of Collegians. Collegians were down in C Section in the early 2000’s. They won the B Section premiership in 2006 and then back to back titles in the Premier Section in 2011/12. Wayne has taken that club on a great journey throughout his time as president.

One can’t talk about loyalty and commitment without including Oakleigh President, Barry Alexander. Barry was president of Oakleigh Sacred Heart in 1986, and instigated an amalgamation with two other local clubs to form the Oakleigh Amateurs. These clubs were playing in the Eastern Suburban Churches League and the decision on whether to join the VAFA or the Southern Football league was in the hands of the committee led by Barry.  Oakleigh Amateurs made what we believe was the right decision and joined the VAFA in 1992. Barry was the inaugural president and remains to this day as the one and only president of the club.

Pulling out names is fraught with danger as you would all know of people at your club who are as loyal, hard-working and community focussed as these gentlemen. At the VAFA Sportscover Season’s Launch each year we recognise the services of these people when we award the Certificate of Merit.  As one who sits on the panel I get to read the amazing application from the clubs of these volunteers. It never ceases to amaze me. For many people attending the function, this award leaves them in awe at the amount of time, energy and devotion these volunteers contribute to their clubs. From the feedback we receive this is their highlight of the night.

There is as much or more camaraderie between the off field administrators as there is amongst the players on field. Players may have a life span in the game of an average of five to ten years but for the volunteers it can be a lifelong commitment to their club. They have all been through the ups and downs of VAFA football, from Premier to Division 4, from the unders to the clubbies, they all devote their time for the love of the game.

Feature Photo © Ari Hatzis