THE spirit of the Nangwarry Saints was on display for all to see on Tuesday evening when dozens of footballers hit the track less than a week since the clubrooms were destroyed by fire.
The devastation of last Wednesday night’s events was not enough to deter more than 50 men and women of all ages from pulling on the boots.
In fact, Nangwarry coach David Stratman believed the unfortunate situation had made the club and its stakeholders more united.
“You could not be prouder of the way everyone has responded,” Stratman said.
“It makes it a pretty special place to be.”
Those comments resonated in the smiles that beamed on the faces of the players as they kicked footballs in front of the backdrop of a clubrooms which were now unrecognisable.
With beers on tap and the same familiar faces cooking the barbecue, dozens of supporters of the club were in attendance to show a united front in the wake of a difficult situation.
President Shane Ploenges said it was just the Nangwarry way.
“Everyone has stepped up to the plate since last week – I might be President, but there are so many people here who just want to see this club go forward,” Mr Ploenges said.
“There was a positive vibe before this event and then you have a downer for two or three days, but since the weekend it has all been really positive.”
Having only coached at the club for two years, Stratman said he felt for all the people who had lost so many sentimental items in the blaze.
“Of course things can be replaced, but for those guys who played in the premierships, it will not quite be the same,” he said.
“Those flags they wrapped themselves on the field after those wins are now gone, the premiership cups they drank out of are gone.”
Captain Aidan Mills is one player who has devoted many years to the club and he said he was overcome with emotion when he heard the news.
“It was not the greatest feeling – I was angry, disappointed, sad, but there’s just nothing you can do,” he said.
“Everyone has a lot of memories in that place – whether you have been here for one year or 10 years, thankfully those cannot be taken away.”
Like Mr Mills, many were still coming to terms with all that had been tarnished, but one thing the fire definitely did not take was the pride and determination of the Nangwarry Saints.
“It’s unfortunate of course, but it’s just one side of it, we have to move on and continue to galvanise the team and the club to make sure we are around for a long time,” Mr Stratman said.
Part of moving on, is shifting the everyone’s focus back to their number one goal – winning a game.
“When it happens, it will be up there with our 1993 premiership, in a different way,” Mr Ploenges said.
“It’s just going to have a significant impact on everyone involved given everything that’s happened.
“I have thought about it and I can imagine people from not just Nangwarry, but from all over the South East will be here for the celebration afterwards.”
