A SPORTING club president’s job is never done – just watch fleet-footed Rosewood United Soccer Club official Tammy Crawford in action.
Tammy has been exceptionally busy in recent weeks setting everything up for the new Queensland Christian Soccer Association (QCSA) season.
She was dashing around non-stop at the club’s final training session at the Thagoona fields last week, welcoming families, finalising teams and providing new playing kits.
Despite the extra demands, Tammy was elated to see the Crusaders fielding 15 junior and senior teams in 2024 QCSA competitions which kicked off last weekend.
“We have had growth this year, up to 185 players, which is amazing,” Tammy said.
Last year, the Rosewood club had 160 players across 13 teams.
She said she was pleased to see added enthusiasm across the grades from under-6 to Crusaders senior men’s and women’s sides.
That included the return of the club’s 15/16 years boys’ team and girls’ sides in under 7 and under 12/13.
The club also embraces 3 to 5 year olds who learn the basics in the Tiny Crusaders program.
“It has been a challenge this year with the growth but it’s getting there,” she said.
Tammy said she received great satisfaction watching kids and adults play soccer.
She said the increased 2024 interest was due to positive off-season recruiting and “a great year last year”.
“[It was] the Matildas [Australian women’s team] as well,” she said.
“We’ve got to give them some credit here. They’ve spurred it all up for us [during the World Cup and qualifying for this year’s Paris Olympics].”
Tammy praised club helpers for holding regular Friday night and Saturday morning fun drills since January to “make sure the kids got involved with the big kids and learnt a lot”.
“That was really good,’’ she said, having been club president since October 2021.
Other members of the Rosewood United Soccer Club committee are registrar-treasurer Lisa Fairbridge, secretary David Graham and Brianna Corry, who has stepped up as junior co-ordinator.
The club leases three Ipswich City Council fields at Caledonian Park, after moving to Thagoona two decades ago.
Recent wet weather provided some soggy issues in and around the playing surfaces.
“I had about four days of feeling rather ill,” she said, as she was concerned about all the rain.
However, Tammy was relieved there was no major damage, as it just needed sunshine to dry everything out.
Crawford was excited about the year ahead, watching nine games at Caledonian Park to launch the season.
Crusaders players can also trial for West Zone teams heading to the state titles next month, and possibly represent Queensland sides at national championships in October.
“Then hopefully, fingers crossed, everything goes well and we have a country carnival at the end of the year again,” she said.
Last year’s carnival hosted by the Rosewood club was “an amazing day. It attracted more than 700 people.
Tammy said one of the club’s longer-term goals was advancing the women’s and men’s teams from Division 4 and 5 respectively to higher level soccer.
“To keep building and keep going as far as we can,” she said.
“My only priority is to make sure it all runs as smooth as it can.”
