LIFE MEMBER:- awarded to Allan Barnes
Presented by Life Member – Lesley O’Hanlon
“Allan Barnes is the current Rye JFC President, and has held this position for the past five years. Allan, warmly known as ‘Barnesy’ around the club is an amazing asset to the Rye JFC its success and continued growth. Barnesy is the driving force behind the Rye JFC when he isn’t coaching or training. His motto when it comes to junior football is – ‘IT IS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS PLAYING FOOTY, IF THEY'RE HAPPY, I'M HAPPY.’
Barnesy is always behind the scenes making sure that whatever needs doing gets’ done. He is amazing at balancing his time between his four boy’s games, training sessions and the club as well as work and home.
Barnesy is always first at the club in the morning to set-up for home games, before he goes off to act as assistant coach, coaching his team or heading off to watch his kids play elsewhere. And at the end of the day, he is the last one packing up, making sure that all equipment has been put away and the club rooms are clean and tidy, ready for the next game. He has even been spotted working in the canteen, cooking on the BBQ, behind the bar at club social functions, not to mention volunteering on game day for his son’s teams, providing he will be there to see the whole game.
He oversaw each team, making sure that things ran smoothly and quickly dealt with any confrontations between players, parents, etc., as they arose. Barnesy has been a major instigator in developing a joint Jumper Presentation with the Rye Snr FC, which had its third year this year, and a joint club event which is growing. This initiative has helped bridge the gap between and the Snr & Jnr clubs.
Throughout the finals season, which included six Rye JFC teams, Barnesy made sure he was present at every game, even when they started at 8:00am, and none of his children were playing. These six teams played each week during the final series with two of them being successful in their Grand Final games.
A self-confessed illiterate when it comes to the computer, Barnesy still manages to communicate between club and league. He attends monthly meetings for the MPJFL as well as extra President meeting’s as they arise as well as they monthly club meeting and attends council meetings in regards to RJ Rowley Reserve.
Barnesy has his finger on the pulse of the Rye JFC and somehow manages to know what is going on in every part of it. Without Barnesy at the head to guide the club, it would not be where it is today. The hours and hard work that he puts into the Rye JFC is second to none, and the Rye JFC Community is totally grateful for what he does so that our kids can play football on a Sunday each week.
Barnesy selflessly puts an incredible amount of his time and effort into the Rye JFC without wanting anything in return. Overcoming any obstacle or challenge thrown his way with enthusiasm and pride, always keeping in mind that it is all about the kids. He is a major part of the Rye JFC providing a safe and happy environment for the children of our community to play their football and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Last Modified on 19/09/2017 09:03