Geelong Soccer Club legend Bob Hayes a finalist for Viva Energy Community Legends Awards

VOLUNTEER Bob Hayes is one of ten community ‘legends’ who have been shortlisted as part of the Viva Energy Community Legends Awards for his tireless work at the Geelong Soccer Club for close to 60 years.

Viva Energy Community Legends Awards started in 2017 with the aim to discover and recognise local heroes who offer their time, expertise and passion to help others in the Geelong region.

Mr Hayes has been part of the Geelong Soccer Club since 1964 and has taken on several volunteer roles including the presidency, cleaning and maintenance, senior and junior matchday coordinating and also famously led the club through a successful merger with the East Geelong Soccer Club.

The 73-year-old has helped create a strong culture of inclusivity and an environment where players of all ages and backgrounds can develop a love for the game.

Thanks to Bob’s tireless work, the club is now the largest soccer club by player participation numbers in the Geelong region.

Hayes is approaching his 59th season of volunteering with Geelong Soccer Club in 2023.

“Being involved in a sporting club, players are known to prank you and I swear to God, I thought it was a prank when I found out I was a finalist for the award,” Hayes said.

“As a volunteer you don’t expect to get something like this, mostly because you don’t do it for that reason or for the accolades.

“I’m quite humbled by being nominated, it’s certainly not a joke, it’s real.

Hayes will be into his 59th year of service when 2023 comes around and said he absolutely loves being apart of the club and seeing the development of its players, staff and volunteers.