Profiles of Players for whom MUAFC trophies are named
Ivan Blyth
Our First Grade Best & Fairest trophy is named after Ivan Blyth. Ivan played from 1983 until 1997 and returned to play again in 2001. Ivan was born in Melbourne and went to high school in Ryde before becoming a student at Macquarie Uni.
Ivan won the First Grade Most Consistent Award in 1987. He played representative football for NSW Amateurs in 1985 and for Combined SDFA in 1986. He won the League’s Reserve Grade McFarlane Medal in 1993 and also won the Club’s Best and Fairest in that year. Ivan was Reserve Grade Coach in 1990, 1991 and was Captain Coach in 1993. He played 194 matches including 131 first grade games.
Ivan was President 1984-1986 and in 1988. He was Secretary in 1991 and Assistant Secretary in 1987. He won a Club Colour in 1988 and was Best Clubman in 1986. Ivan was also a Life Member of the Club. Ivan was a solicitor and often assisted the Club by representing players at Tribunal hearings.
Unfortunately Ivan had a sore on his foot that wouldn’t heal. It was eventually diagnosed as a melanoma in August 2001 and he died aged 39 on 14 January 2002. He was married to Melanie and had 3 sons. Melanie lives in Brisbane and has remarried and has 3 more sons and 2 stepsons.
Scott Uglow
Our Players’ Player Award is named in honour of Scott Uglow. Scott joined MUAFC in 1979 and continues to play in 2009. Scott holds the club record of 355 matches including 193 first grade games. He has also played 49 games for University of Queensland in Brisbane and continues to play Masters Rules. He played junior football for St Ives. Scott played in the 1998 Premiership team and also won a premiership with University of Queensland.
Scott won the Club’s 1st Grade Best and Fairest Award in 1982 and was Runner Up in 1993 and 1995. He was our Most Improved player in 1981. He played representative football for Combined SFA in 1990 and 1995. Scott was the league’s leading goalkicker in Reserve Grade in 2000.
Scott was President briefly in 1984 before moving to Queensland and Vice President in 1990. He is married to Jacquie and has 2 sons and a daughter.
Roger Sheeran
Roger was one of the founders of Macquarie Uni AFC in 1969. He played in the Club’s first match in 1970 and played until 1981. He played 139 games including 120 in First Grade. He was 1st Grade Captain in 1971 and Captain-Coach in 1972-1974. He was leading goalkicker from 1970 to 1973 and in 1978. He was the League’s leading goalkicker in 1972 and Runner Up in the Hart Medal. Roger was President from 1975-1978, Vice-President 1972-1974.
He won a Half Blue in 1972, a Club Colour in 1982 and was a Life Member. He was Best Clubman in 1970-1972. Roger served as Vice President and President of Macquarie University Sports Association. He later worked as Deputy Executive Officer of MUSA and was involved in coaching with junior sides with East Coast Eagles.
MUAFC’s Best Clubman Award is named after Roger.
John Benson
John played for Macquarie Uni from 1998 and 1999 and from 2001 to 2002. He played in the 1998 and 1999 premiership sides. He played 63 matches, all in 1st Grade. In 2000 he played for East Coast Eagles in their Premier League side.
John was originally from Launceston in Tasmania where he played junior football up to about age 12. In his second year at Macquarie Uni he resumed playing football. He won the Club’s Best and Fairest in 1998 and was Runner Up in 1999. John played representative football in 1998 for Combined SFA.
John was awarded a Half Blue by Macquarie Uni in 2000. He was nominated for MUSA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1999, but lost out against several Australian Commonwealth Games representatives. This led to John’s nickname of Rookie. The Rookie of the Year Award is named after John. Macquarie Uni and Sydney Uni play annually for the John Benson Cup which was won by Macquarie Uni for the first time in 2009.
John died in a plane crash in Manila in the Philippines whilst on a trip to go surfing. He worked for the Commonwealth Bank and was engaged to Niamh.
Ron Aitken
Macquarie’s Most Improved Award is named after Ron Aitken.
Ron Aitken played for Macquarie from 1976 to 1987 and from 1990 to 1992. He played 227 matches (including 39 1st Grade games) which was the record at the time of Ron’s death. Ron played for Baulkham Hills in 1988 and 1999, but was persuaded to come back to coach our first Under 20s in 1990 and 1991. In 1992 he coached our Reserve Grade side. He was Captain of Reserve Grade in 1981, 1984, 1986 and 1987. He won the Reserve Grade Best and Fairest in 1984 and was Runner Up in 1977 and 1985. He was Most Consistent in 1980, and Most Improved in 1976. Ron was Vice President 1979-1982, 1986. He was awarded Life Membership and a Club Colour. He won the Best Clubman Award in 1978 and in 1980.
Ron was married to Glenda and was a boatbuilder. He was very fit, even during his illness and in 1993 he was often Runner for two grades for Macquarie, then was Runner for Sydney Uni Reserve Grade on the Sunday. He had a blockage in the bowel late in 1992 and was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. He died aged 37 on 6 January 1994.
Last Modified on 27/01/2010 12:12