Ross Anderson proud to be a Passionate Volunteer

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The sport of football possess many advantages other sporting codes wish they had; apart from being the number one game in the world, the round ball game has the best volunteers, ensuring our training sessions and games go off without a hitch – one such volunteer that has devoted almost thirty years of his life to the game is Chipping Norton Chargers’ Honorary Chairman Ross Anderson.

The 63-year-old has been involved with the Chipping Norton Chargers club for 27 years and it was all thanks to his eldest son who kicked off his love affair with the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association based side.

Like a footballer’s progression from grassroots football to the top, Anderson followed the same pathway which has seen him grab volunteer opportunities with Football NSW at various tournaments, Sydney FC in the A-League and Asian Champions League, FFA at international matches as well as the crowning jewel thus far, working for the AFC during the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

Holding down the Club President’s role for a while at ‘Chippo’, Anderson also had his fair share of coaching some of the teams at South Park, the spiritual home ground of the Chargers.

“I was President of the club for 15 years.

“Nowadays I am the Honorary Chairman. I assist at the Club’s Presentations and I’m the returning Officer at the AGM.

“I also coached at the club for most of my 27 years. I coached all my son’s at one stage or another but had the longest run with my middle boy Robert, from Under 9’s through to the Under 21’s.

“I also coached the Under 16’s Girls for a lengthy period.”

Chipping Norton Chargers boost some of the best volunteers in the South West of Sydney, Anderson of course being one of them.

“When you consider coaches, managers, committee members and various other helpers, Chipping Norton would probably have around 100 volunteers who contribute to making the club tick during a football season.

“They really are a special breed of Champions who continue to put in so much of their time in getting things ready whether it be at trainings, match days or presentations.”

Anderson’s first ever volunteer gig in Sydney was at the ‘Palace’, also known as Marconi Stadium.

It was there he realised during a National Soccer League match looking after ball kids for the Marconi Stallions that it was something he wanted to do.

“My first volunteer gig was looking after the ball kids when the Marconi Stallions were playing in the National Soccer League.

“A wonderful lady named Lisa Severin got me involved.

“Since then, I have been a volunteer with Sydney FC since the start of the A-League in 2004, Football NSW at tournaments such as the State Cup and Champion of Champions, the FFA for International games and the AFC with the Asian Cup and Asian Champions League.”

Football cannot operate without our wonderful volunteers, without them, the game does not move forward, something Anderson believes in strongly.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the game.

“Grassroots level football would not survive and flourish without them.

“They also play an important part in match days at a higher level.

“Volunteers are there because of their passion for the game and it’s participants.

“Australia have such a rich history when it comes to volunteering as with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sydney and other events showcasing to the world how passionate we really are about this.”

Asked what his fondest memory has been as a fleeting volunteer so far, Anderson could not pass up the experiences he encountered at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Tournament.

“I think my warmest memory as a volunteer was working at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Tournament.

“I worked at all of the matches at ANZ Stadium including the Final which the Socceroos won.

“We had a tremendous group of volunteers and a terrific crew of ball kids.

“The entire tournament was something I will never forget.”

The COVID-19 break did throw a spanner in the works for the tireless volunteer as the football shutdown all but put a hold on his volunteer gigs with Sydney FC in the A-League as well as the National Premier Leagues.

“The COVID-19 break didn’t do me any favours as it shut everything down.

“I have really missed my Sydney FC games in the A-League and NPL and the kids I work with.

“Also, I’ve been too much of a couch potato, although I’ve gotten back into a walking routine in recently.”

In recent weeks, the game received a huge boost with Level 1 restrictions announced allowing teams to train once more with plans to play competitive football in July all going well, something Anderson was eagerly anticipating.

“It’s a relief to see the restrictions easing somewhat and football in particular starting to re-emerge from the shadows.

“It’s been great this week to see the kids back training at South Park.

“I am looking forward to the coming weeks when games at all levels recommence pending State Government and Football NSW confirmation of course.

“I have to admit that I am really looking forward to getting back with my ball kids and fellow volunteers at A-League games come July.

“In the mean-time, I’ll be sneaking down to South Park to watch some of our Chipping Norton teams play when competitions hopefully kick off once more, fingers crossed.”