Ruggero relieved as Football returns with a bang at Hornsby Heights

Proud Hornsby Heights FC President Cathy Ruggero was one happy administrator when Community Football returned to NSW last weekend.

The Northern Suburbs Football Association based side saw its 887 registered players buzzing with pure joy upon hitting the pitches across the football mad area once more.

“It was a mixture of relief and excitement upon seeing and witnessing the first weekend of the return to football once more after the COVID-19 lockdown in March.

“To see all the kids running around playing the sport they love with big smiles on their faces was such a great feeling.

“Everyone was simply excited to be back playing amongst their friends and having a good fun time.”

It’s been a huge year for Ruggero herself as the female administrator was really looking forward to her first season as President of the mighty Hornsby Heights FC but COVID-19 struck, delaying her introduction as the head-honcho – thankfully restrictions eased which allowed Cathy to recommence her duties following her five-year involvement with the club.

“I have been involved with the club for the past 5 years but mainly in coaching or managing roles.

“I have also been involved in the female football side of the club.

“This year is my first year as president and it is both challenging and rewarding.

“My role or duties within the club are many and varied and include the overall management of the whole club including the committee and volunteers as well as attending association meetings.

“I spend a lot of time solving any issues that may arise along the way and implementing ways to overcome these issues and improve the way the club runs.”

A dedicated volunteer to the sport herself, Ruggero plugged her wonderful volunteers at the club who she stated to Football NSW, continue to give so much to the sport year in year out, especially this season under tough circumstances due to COVID-19.

“We have a general working committee of about 12, with support from other members within the club that have sub-roles within the committee or assisting the main roles.

“Overall with coaches and managers and the committee we have over 167 hardworking and extraordinary volunteers of which we would not be able to offer as much as we do without them all.

“It’s taken a lot of time and effort from a large number of people, both committee members and other volunteers to get the club to where it needed to be to comply with COVID-19 safe guidelines.  As a whole, parents have been really understanding which makes everything so much easier.”