Safety comes first at Parramatta City FC

Newly appointed Parramatta City Club President Damien Lum has wasted no time in ensuring safety and the well being of his club participants as well as visiting teams was one of the first things that needed to be ticked off his list after he took charge in June this year.

“We have gone to significant lengths about ensuring we remain COVID safe including but not limited to social distancing signs and other signage around the canteen and toilets.

“Having a ‘sign in’ sheet at the front of our ground as well as introducing a QR code to scan for all players and spectators.

“We also have COVID-19 officers assisting to ensure we adhere to all Football NSW guidelines. This did take a few of us out of comfort zone as this is obviously unprecedented.

“Thus far, we’ve had minimal incidents of anyone being upset with the extra measures.

“All our players and spectators in the GDSFA have been very understanding.”

Based in the Granville District Soccer Football Association, Parramatta City have long been a highly passionate and driven club with Lum now given the honours of taking them to the next level.

“I originally joined Parramatta City Football Club (PCFC) in 2016.

“This was through my son who played in the Under 6’s that year. He previously played at a different club in the association in 2015, however we found it did not have the community atmosphere.

“Hence, some of the other parents in my son’s previous team said they were going to PCFC which was a more community orientated and grassroots focused club, so I also followed.

“I have been at the club since 2016.

“I was coach of the under 7’s in 2017 (son’s team), coach of under 6’s in 2018, then under 7’s again in 2019 (daughter’s team both 2018 and 2019).

“I was made Vice President post-2019 season and then stepped into the Club President position in June this year.

“I am still Manager/assistant coach of the Under 8’s team – I thoroughly enjoy the coaching part.

“There were a few hiccups at the start with a change in some of the executive team (including myself) and a few teams dropping out (once again because of COVID-19 impacts) and lack of players.

“Once the “starting whistle finally blew” after the rough start, it has gone absolutely brilliant.

“My committee probably gets sick of me saying it but I am so proud of how each one of them have been so proactive to make this season a great one.

“One other thing I have always loved about PCFC is the willingness for so many of the parents to assist with volunteering whether it is setting up fields, packing up, Canteen duties, COVID-19 officers, coaching, and managing. We are an incredibly lucky club to have this community feel.”

Asked how registrations had gone during the reboot of the new Grassroots season, Lum stated that COVID-19 did play a role in the numbers declining slightly.

“We currently have around 80 registered players and 7 teams this year.

“Historically, our club would have around the 120 mark, however we have seen numbers down this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

“This seems to be apparent with other clubs in our association also.”

Lum was quick to praise once again the hard work and efforts of his dedicated volunteers who continue to pull in the long hours week in week out ensuring all their teams are playing the game they love.

“Our club is wholly ran by volunteers from the committee, canteen, coaches, team managers. No one is remunerated within our club like most grassroots football clubs.

“Whilst the people I have mentioned above have titles, it does not take away from all the other parents and guardians that assist with the field setups and packing away, the parents that put their hands up as referees and ground officials, our BBQ cooks, COVID officers and the list goes on.

“Additionally, we have a highly active sub-committee (mainly consisting of ex-players, ex-committee members and life members) that are always there to provide guidance to the committee and have been instrumental in the last three months with the current committee.

“I have no issue admitting that without Volunteers, PCFC would not operate as a club, hence volunteers are vital to our existence.

“Further to this in my weekly newsletter, I write a piece on a “volunteer of the week” to express my gratitude for the time that that individual dedicates.

“Lastly, I am very much of the adage of “Many hands make light work” – PCFC is a shining example of this and has been since I’ve been in the club and I imagine since its existence which is a reason for its longevity.”

Top left to right: Rey Lum (Registrar), Robert Zwatrzka (Competition Secretary), Damien Lum (President), David Coles (Vice President), Nicole Christoy (Treasurer)

Bottom left to right: Jackie Pateraki (Equipment and Uniform Manager), Fiona Diacopoulos (Canteen Manager), Christina Santellis (Secretary), Linda Gaitanidis (Marketing and Sponsorship)