For Wendy Povey, she needed the Morpeth Bulls just as much as the Junior Rugby League Club in the Newcastle-Maitland region needed her.
Behind every strong club are great foundation members, good administrators, groundswell of players and volunteers – and Povey is all of those wrapped up in the one dynamic bundle.
“I was one of about eight people that started the club in 1992,” Povey said, after accepting the NSWRL’s Gordon Lowrie Memorial Award as 2022 Volunteer of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal.
She is one of 26,500 volunteers across 700 Rugby League clubs in NSW, who want to take their commitment to their district a little further.
Povey is the Treasurer and canteen supervisor, ordering all the stock. She also orders and purchases all the merchandise, jerseys, balls and other football equipment.
She is the first one to arrive at the ground each week to set up the gear and put the pies-sausage rolls in the oven. And she’s the last to leave.
Povey was also central to the Bulls adding a girls team to the club in 2021.
“With some clubs I’ve found, you were just a number as they seemed to have plenty of people,” Povey said, explaining why she became a founder of the Bulls.
“But there wasn’t a club where the kids, who might not be the fastest or most skilful, could play so we started the club because not every child can be a winner.”
The Morpeth Bulls began with five age-group teams and currently has 12 teams.
It’s not as famous as other Hunter Valley clubs in the area like the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers, but the Bulls are celebrating their 30th birthday this year.
Povey said the club has been a sanctuary for families where every child looks forward to playing.
“My three boys started with Morpeth – but that was years ago,” she said.
“They are well out of it now as my ‘baby’ is 41!
“Even my grandchildren don’t play anymore but I’m still there for the love of it.
“I get great satisfaction out of volunteering at the club and seeing those pass through it. You feel like you’re doing something worthwhile.
“It’s hard to put into words what the community around a Rugby League club can do for you.
“I’m a widow now so the club has become ‘my family’. I’m lucky that I have two – my home family and my football family.
“I’m ‘Nan’ to everyone now – the old girl who just loves Rugby League. I’ll be hanging around until I fall over.”
