Monica Bacha continuing to fly the volunteer flag at Rydalmere Lions

Anyone that has played for the Rydalmere Lions FC or against them would have noticed one hard working volunteer busily doing her thing ensuring everything is where it needs to be week in week out – known as the heart and soul of the club’s backroom staff, Monica Bacha continues to churn out the huge hours which she has done so for the one club for the last twenty years.

The club’s Administration and Media Assistant, Bacha really had no choice but to fall for the beautiful game of football all thanks to her parents.

“You could say I was born into the sport.

“Forty-one years on and thanks to my parents who met through football, we are still here proudly assisting the club.”

On top of her parents meeting thanks to the world game, the football obsessed administrator has a brother and cousins that are also involved with the sport making it pretty much a family affair for the entire Bacha household.

Apart from her Administration and Media duties, Bacha continues to hold various positions at the ambitious club, such is her drive and passion for her beloved Lions.

“I have a few roles at the club.

“I am part of our club Committee and my duties consist of Administration, arranging uniforms for all players as well as merchandise for our supporters.

“I also assist on match days when required for our Association teams as well as our NPL/SAP teams and offer support in the club canteen.”

As promoted in recent articles on the importance of volunteers in our game, Bacha is part of a quality squad behind the scenes ensuring everything is on point at the club.

“We are fortunate that we have 12 highly devoted full-time volunteers who work around the clock in getting us to where we need to be today.

“The message is simple, without volunteers the game would not exist and we are very proud of what we have achieved and have set targets on getting the club where it deserves to be in the not too distant future.”

Monica was rewarded for her hard work and efforts in 2019 at the official Granville & District Soccer Football Association Presentation evening finding herself an award winner for her fantastic services to the game.

Rydalmere Lions are in the midst of a major facility upgrade, $2.5 million to be exact, jointly funded by the NSW Government’s Great Sydney Sports Facility Fund and the City of Parramatta Council.

Photos have emerged of the progress at Rydalmere Park and the feedback has been red-hot.

A state-of-the-art synthetic grass pitch, fencing and lights amongst other wonderful upgrades benefiting not only the club but the Parramatta City community on a whole.

It’s been a major win for the sport in the area but its been a bigger win for the hardworking volunteer and her colleagues who have seen the club rise from its early grassroots beginnings to where it is today.

“Happy seeing this unfold is understatement, we’re all over the moon.

“It has been a long time coming to have our facility upgraded especially with a synthetic pitch.

“The synthetic pitch will not only benefit our club but also the local community, local schools as well as other association clubs.

“We are big on being a family club, with our upgrade this will bring everyone closer together.”

You couldn’t blame Bacha for being down in the dumps when her beloved football was put on hold via the COVID-19 outbreak in March this year, something she struggled to get used to but has been delighted recently with the news of training sessions only being implemented to the football community once more.

“I have missed the sport so much.

“When we were advised that the season was suspended in March I was devastated more so for the players involved, as they were so excited for the 2020 season to commence.

“As a club, we had a great preseason which had all players and coaches as well as spectators excited for the season to kick off especially with our new synthetic pitch being built.

“I’ve missed the social aspect of it all, being part of the club for so long I have made a lot of new lifelong friends along the way and not being able to see them on a regular basis really upset me.

“We’ve been given great news recently and I was so excited that the restrictions were slightly lifted however we knew there would be risks involved if we were to commence without contact training.

“We will work together as one in ensuring we comply with the rules and regulations in getting back our weekends playing competitive football, something myself and of course the entire club cannot wait to see especially at our newly upgraded facility.”