FOOTY clubs have long been considered the bastion of men but that is not the way Ellen McConochie sees them.
McConochie is a feature of the Coolaroo Australian Rules Football Club, having devoted the past 33 years of her life to the ‘Roos.
The mother of two of the club’s players, Craig and Brett McConochie, has filled many positions with Coolaroo since moving to Toowoomba in 1977.
She started off working in the canteen and has been the manager of the senior team for the past two decades.
“I’ve been with Coolaroo 33 years and I just love it,” she said.
“I used to work the canteen. I’ve done everything basically. The only thing I haven’t done is play.
“I come to the games anyway, so you may as well do something.”
And while footy clubs are generally seen as the domain of men, McConochie says that is not the case at Coolaroo.
“There have always been ladies involved, but more so now,” she said.
“I think more ladies are coming to watch and they want to get involved, especially the ones with little ones.”
It could be McConochie’s example that has sparked the female influence at Coolaroo, because her years of service have been recognised by AFL Queensland.
Last Saturday she received the AFL Queensland Female in Football Award, which recognises the role women play in the sport.
The Coolaroo volunteer is secretary of the ‘Roos and has also previously held executive positions with the now defunct South East Queensland Australian Football Association and subsequent Queensland Australian Football League.
She also served on the committee of AFL Darling Downs for 15 years and was rewarded with life membership.
The AFLQ Coach and Volunteer Awards night was held in Brisbane, but such is McConochie’s love of Coolaroo, she opted instead to attend the club’s 40th anniversary dinner last Saturday.
Coolaroo president Larry Heuston made the effort to have the Female in Football Award sent to Toowoomba, so he could present McConochie her prize in front of fellow members of her beloved club.
Heuston is happy to have McConochie at Coolaroo.
“She has been the manager for about 23 years, donates the best and fairest trophy each week and washes jumpers,” he said.
“She does a lot of things for the senior grade. She’s been a club stalwart for years.”
McConochie volunteers her time for the love of the game but is chuffed her efforts have been recognised by the state governing body.
So much so, she holds her Female in Football Award in the same esteem as being bestowed life membership at Coolaroo.
“Probably being a life member of Coolaroo is the highlight, but I think this might be it,” McConochie said. “It was all of Queensland, so I think I’m lucky actually.”
The Female in Football Award caps a big year for McConochie, after her beloved Collingwood broke a 20-year AFL premiership drought last month.
And nothing will keep the Coolaroo stalwart from continuing in the sport as she eagerly awaits the start of next season.
“Now it’s finished I miss it and I can’t wait for it to start again,” she said.
Story & Photo: Toowoomba Chronicle Sat 20th November
Last Modified on 14/01/2011 11:03
