Ron Cole is the president of the Kyneton and District Soccer Club. On January 26, Mr Cole accepted the Healthy People and Environment Award at Macedon Ranges council’s award ceremony on behalf of the club. He spoke with Oliver Lees Kyneton’s efforts to achieve gender parity in the sport, and everything there is to look forward to in 2022.
Q1. What is your connection to Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges? (A chance to talk about where you grew up, community work, etc.)
I moved to Kyneton in the late 70’s for work after growing up in Castlemaine and playing soccer there. I started playing for Kyneton and have been involved ever since. Having settled in Kyneton, I married my wife Anne-Maree and had four children, three boys and a girl, all of whom have been involved in football, cricket, tennis, little aths, basketball, netball, dancing, and of course, soccer. I have seen and been involved in many changes over my time at the club, from entering our first ever women’s side to the continued growth now in female football, not only at our club but throughout the whole state.
Q2. The Kyneton District Soccer Club has been getting plenty of accolades for its inclusive program. As club president, has this always been a focus for you?
The club has always put a big emphasis on being inclusive and welcoming to everyone who comes along to be involved, no matter what age, gender or ability. Our priority has always been one of growing the club through participation. The committee has worked tirelessly especially over the last couple of years dealing with the ever changing COVID-19 restrictions by keeping our players, parents and members engaged.
Q3. Many community sports have struggled financially and in terms of personnel throughout the pandemic. How has this period impacted your club?
The club has been fortunate to have a great deal of fantastic sponsors who have come on board to support the club over the last couple of years, which has helped keep the club in a financially stable position.
Q4. Does the club have anything exciting coming up this year?
The club continues to hold a successful Mini-Roos program from October to March with numbers increasing year on year. A Go Girls program was added last season for young girls to come along to try without having the pressure of training in a competitive environment. The club continues to look at other programs such as Soccer Mums and are currently exploring the option to conduct an All Abilities program during the year.
Players numbers continue to increase and with the club running at 42 per cent female participation, we are on the way to achieving a 50-50 gender split by 2027, which is something which is an objective established by Football Victoria. Along with the Australia Day Award presented by Macedon Ranges council, the club was also awarded Football Victoria’s Regional Club of the Year for 2021 which was a fantastic reward for the effort put in by the committee and volunteers.
