Away match days can sometimes be a little chaotic. Throwing a federal election into the mix adds a degree of difficulty to the juggling.
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For some of the Robertson-Burrawang crew it meant being at the polling door ready to vote at 8 am, knowing they might not quite make it back before the 6 pm close. Of course it also meant the opportunity to grab a quick bacon and egg roll and some scones in the process - so not a bad start after all.
Related: The Beryl Fitzgerald Cup results
With teams playing in a number of locations it takes a bit of planning for families, coaches and players. As an example, our family of six players writes a list of the matches we have to be at as players, managers and coaches and then works out exactly how the two adult drivers are going to get us all where we have to be. Then we liaise with the other coaches and players to work out how to cover it all.
For Life Member Emma Green it's more of the same. Coaching four teams and playing in two certainly creates some challenges.
This time it meant President Damien Plain coaching her U9s at Gib Gate and collecting one of them at their 8am date at the polling booth, so Emma could coach her U7s at Ironmines and not miss too much of her U13s match at Yerrinbool. For me it was U13s at Yerrinbool, back to David Wood to catch the end of the U10s so Damo could leave in time to get to Hill Top for the 1 pm ladies Maroon match, and then collecting five kids plus three to take to Hill Top to catch up with their parents and spend the afternoon cheering them on - aka playing in the bush.
It can be a big challenge to navigate a day of sport when the whole family is involved. Some of our parents really work wonders to make it happen. And then there are the mummies and the intricate dancing they do to get a turn at taking the field amongst all the other balls they keep in the air. It can take many forms - packing a ridiculous array of snacks and activities to keep the kids occupied, planning mates for them to share the time with, having dad drive around the little ones after they fell asleep on the way, or arranging your sister-in-law to come along with her two to watch your two while you have a quick run.
The beauty of it all is that the others sporting the maroon and gold are always there to back it up - to pick up the only other player left in Robertson after 12 pm when their lift falls through, to hold the bub when the other ones demands are more pressing, to find the ball magically lost on a flat, open field. It's truly something special to be part of the extended family that is a sports club.
Our under 12s had a hard run, going down 5-1 to Bowral Bandicoots.
The U13s team had one of those 'moments' that occur in sport. Starting off messy and being down 4-1 to Moss Vale at half time. After a half time pep talk from coach Emma they returned to the field and turned it around completely, taking out the match 6-4.
Beau Johansen scored two, and was well supported by Ashleigh Wilson and unlucky not to get his hat trick. Duke Garske added two to his total, and Harry Eyding and Hamish Chapman came away with one each.
The U15s had 'one of those days' in their Jan Plain Cup match, going down 8-0 to Moss Vale.
Our youth grade team participated in the HSA Cup in a hard fought match, ultimately going down to Bundanoon 2-0.
The men's Maroon team missed a match which was deferred to be played at a later date.
The men's Gold team played Yerrinbool Black in the George Auld Cup and got up 3-2, with a goal each to our new South American trio Luiz Goncalves, Jefferson Valencia and Yeison Guevara.
The Maroon ladies met Hill Top again in what is always a tough match. We went down 2-1, with Abby Doyle scoring on the volley off a corner.
The Gold ladies welcomed new comers MBK from Goulburn into the competition with a close match resulting in a 1-0 win. Young Tannah Warner hit a well-executed goal from a good way out with her customary style on the back of a promise of an airline ticket from her father. Where is that ticket Marcus?
Our ladies teams meet in a Noelene Munro Cup match on Wednesday night at Hampden Park in what is always a competitive and entertaining match. It will be an odd event with much encouragement from the players of each team to their opposition club mates but with a good dose of competitiveness along with it.
Last year the Gold team got the jump on Maroon scoring the first goal. There are often a few stories to tell after these matches and the ladies are looking forward to it. Watch out Maroon - Gold are coming for you!
Our next matches on 25th May will be at home at Hampden Park.