Around the Grounds – June 18

By Tim Habel

On Saturday I attended an amazing event at St Kevin’s for their Pride Cup day with games scheduled against Old Xaverians and Melbourne University.

It was a day of colour and celebration, and some interesting stories of how it all came together.

Key organisers were Stephanie Augustes (also Committee Member) and Grace Mills who designed the jumpers and t-shirts.

At a lunch I was warmly welcomed by Pat Mount (President), Lisa Ginies (VP), Lisa Ring, Tom Purcell (Saints Coach) and many, many others.

The reserves team were in a massive quandary just a few days out from their match. Xavs had been hit with low numbers and sadly had to forfeit the fixture. But the Saints would not be left hanging. Calls were made and texts ran hot as fellow clubs stepped in to fill the void. In a great show of camaraderie amongst the competition, players were drawn from Monash Blues, Mazenod, Melbourne Uni and West Brunswick to band together and form the “Pride Allies” for the day. Melb Uni provided the Pride jumpers to wear and the game went ahead in brilliant sunshine. Footy was surely the winner on the day, but Pride was triumphant. As Monash Uni posted “Today a handful of our players pulled on a different jumper in the name of pride…Proud of everyone that was involved today. Football is a place for everyone #pride”

The most common question and discussion was around “what now for 2023”?

Tim Habel
VAFA Board Member