Drysdale footy club embraces baby boom with new initiative

DRYSDALE Football Club is embracing its recent baby boom by adopting some new family-friendly options during home games.

Renee Wilson, wife of reserves player Jordan Wilson and mum to almost two-year-old Indi, has launched a new initiative that focuses on including the families of players by making the club a more social and healthier place to be.

“It’s hard for mums and dads to come down to the footy and support our partners, week in and week out, especially when it is cold,” Renee said.

“So I thought why can’t we make everyone feel a bit more included, and bring the focus inside the football club?

“Let’s welcome the parents and give the kids something to do, so we can actually watch our partners and have a chat and be more social and warm.”

Renee said the new initiative included a “kids’ corner” in the clubrooms with a chalkboard, games and books, plus snack boxes at the canteen that contained fruit, vegetable sticks, dip, crackers and cheese.

“It takes a while in the morning to get organised for the football and to have all the food ready and packed for the whole day, so I thought instead of feeding the kids chips, why not offer a healthier option like snack boxes?” she said.

“The kids love them and they are well priced; a packet of chips costs $4 and the healthy alternative is only $5.

“We have even had the netballers and mums buying them – we sold out last week!”

Renee said they also had a “ladies’ lounge” during the third quarter of the senior’s game, encouraging mums and partners to come in for a social gettogether, a beverage and something to eat.

“We had mums from the other club feel welcome enough to come in and join last week.

“I was able to chat to mums I wouldn’t have normally chatted with and it’s a nice feeling.”

Renee said that to have good players, the club needed to support their families, not the other way around.

“Bringing the families together will create a better atmosphere and more support for the club.

“The boys spend so much time away from home, so we all miss out, and I know they love it and we want to support them, so changing the dynamics and the focus of the club will really help in the future.

“It may actually encourage players to stay on that extra year or stay at this club, as it sets us apart from the others.”