By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A MAN who has given close to 30 years of his life to the Endeavour Hills Rugby Club was formally recognised this month.
Endeavour Hills Rugby Club director of operations David Hawkins, who started as a player with the group in 1986, was picked as a finalist in RaboDirect’s Conversion for Community project, and received $5000 last Friday night to be spent on the club.
David found out he had been selected as a finalist in March after his wife Kathy nominated him for the award.
“I was extremely humbled, you don’t do this for the recognition, I do it because I love the game,” he said.
“I started as a player back in ’86 and really liked the place and the people and I stood on the committee, became treasurer and haven’t left the place.
“It’s got huge potential to be the best rugby club in Victoria.”
David has both captained and coached the club while also managing the junior teams, and in 2007 became the director of Operations after the roles of treasurer and secretary were combined.
Each Saturday morning, no matter the weather, David arrives at the club ready to set up the grounds at 7am.
And he’s the last one seen packing up the flags and pads well into the afternoon.
“There’s a large population in this area who are into rugby, we don’t struggle for numbers,” David said.
“We have a number of people who play the game as their first sport, and we also have number of kids who have played basketball and Australian Rules football and they come along.
“We’re always looking for new people.”
David urged people in the Casey community to “give the game a go.”
“It’s the best game in the world,” he said.
“Winning this award is hard to describe, I don’t volunteer for the recognition but the money is great.
“We’re in an AFL state trying to find sponsors, so the money will go back into the club.”
