Team Photos
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the recent team photographs. A special thanks goes to Lesley, Daniel and those committee members who generously sacrificed their time, organising teams and distributing over 800 sausages across four chilly and sometimes rainy evenings was a monumental task.
Vale to Will Taylor
It is with a heavy heart that I address the profound loss our club has experienced. The untimely passing of our former junior and first team player, Will Taylor has left a significant void in our soccer community and in the hearts of all who knew him. Will was more than just a talented footballer; he was an intelligent, respectful young man who embodied the core values we cherish. His dedication to the sport and his exemplary character made him a role model for many, and his presence illuminated our fields in a way that will be deeply missed.
In recognition of Will’s passion for soccer and the positive impact he had on those around him, we are honoured to announce a special initiative. In consultation with Will’s family, Ashburton United and Mt Waverley have agreed to establish a scholarship in his name. This initiative will serve as a lasting tribute to Will’s legacy, ensuring that his spirit and love for the game continue to inspire and support future generations within our club. We are also pleased to announce the creation of the Annual Will Taylor Charity Day. This special event will take place annually and will feature a pre-season friendly match between our club and Mt Waverley Soccer Club. The match will be played for a trophy dedicated to Will’s memory, reflecting his spirit and dedication to the sport. All funds raised during the charity day will be donated to Team Sports For All, an organization dedicated to supporting financially restricted players. This initiative will help ensure that the joy of participating in sports remains accessible to all, just as Will would have wanted. Thank you for joining us in remembering and celebrating Will’s remarkable life. May his memory inspire us all to embody the same dedication and kindness he showed throughout his time with us.
We hope you will join us in honouring Will’s legacy and supporting this worthy cause. Further details about the event will be shared soon.
Grounds and Facilities
As we approach the end of another season, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every member of Ashburton Soccer Club for your unwavering support and contributions throughout what has been a challenging year both on and off the field.
This season has been marked by significant disruptions due to delays in the development of Dorothy Laver Reserve and Ashburton Park. These setbacks, combined with further restrictions imposed by the council to ensure the longevity of our assets, led to considerable difficulties in providing suitable facilities for our teams. The timing of these issues was compounded by unseasonal wet weather during the winter months, which added another layer of complexity to our operations. Despite these hurdles, our club has worked tirelessly to maintain fixtures and provide training and playing opportunities by making the best use of available facilities and rearranging fixtures as needed.
Looking ahead to the next season, we are optimistic that we will have complete and unrestricted access to our grounds and facilities, which will greatly enhance our ability to accommodate the many teams across all ages and abilities.
The Committee deeply appreciates your patience and understanding during this challenging period. We are committed to continuing the legacy of Ray Verratti by advocating for the council to provide us with a dedicated home venue, including synthetic playing surfaces to ensure uninterrupted use throughout the year.
To that end, I want to thank our members for taking part in Boroondara Community Plan 2025 – 2035 Survey that closed on 16th August. Your individual feedback to Boroondara Council, about what’s most important to you, will help shape the Council’s long term community plan for including for the delivery of resources.
On a personal note, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching our teams represent the club with exemplary sportsmanship in recent weeks. I hope that our club’s reputation for fair play and respect is something we continue to be proud of.
A Call to Arms
Lastly, our club thrives because of the dedication and passion of individuals like you. We’re always on the lookout for volunteers to join our working groups, which include sponsorship, policy, social events, and the general committee. We recognize that time is a precious commodity and that balancing commitments can be challenging, but I assure you that contributing to our community sporting organization is both fulfilling and impactful.
Whether you can spare a little time or a lot, there’s a role that could benefit from your unique talents and experience. Your involvement, no matter the level, will make a significant difference in enhancing our club for everyone.
I encourage you to consider how you might get involved, particularly with our Committee of Management, as we have currently have some vacancies. Visit https://ashburtonsoccer.com.au/get-involved/ to lodge your EoI with our Club.
It’s on that note that I’d like to acknowledge our departing Committee member, James Tan. James has been a wonderful contributor on the Committee and we’re going to miss his insight, energy and business acumen. Fortunately James won’t be lost to the club, as he will continue as a junior coach, master’s player, sponsorship and social media coordinator. A big thanks to Jim and all our volunteers for everything they do to support our club.
Warm regards,
Alan Cubbon
President, Ashburton Soccer Club
