At almost 80, Vance Bond still spends several nights a week helping out at Canning Vale Senior Football Club.
He opens and closes the club, cooks for Army Cadets, helps with game-day setup and pack-up, works in the canteen when needed and is now also part of the club committee.
Vance has been involved with the club for about seven years after first visiting through the Riverton RSL to take part in an Anzac Day service.
“I went over there to do the Ode for Anzac Day, and then I’ve been there ever since,” he said.
As time went on, he became more involved with the football club and its volunteers.
Vance said the club had become an important part of his week.
“I enjoy the football club. I just enjoy the young fellas and the girls, watching them play,” he said.
“I live on my own, so it’s something for me to do two nights a week and during the football season every Saturday.”
He said one of the things he valued most was the relationship he had built with the players.
“Probably the respect that I get from all the players,” he said.
“They really look after me when I feel sick. They’re concerned for me. They’re always asking about my well-being and if I need help with anything.”
Vance has spent much of his life in service roles.
He joined the military in 1966 and served eight years in the Royal Austarlian Navy, followed by 28 years in the Army.
He has also spent 26 years with the Army Cadets and remains involved with them.
His contribution to Canning Vale SFC recently led fellow club member Scott to nominate him for the Bunnings Legend of the Tongs campaign, which recognises volunteers at grassroots football clubs.
Scott said Vance first became involved with the club after it contacted the Riverton RSL while planning an Anzac Day event.
“Vance came down and has been part of the Cougars ever since,” he said.
Scott said Vance had since become one of his club’s most dependable volunteers.
“He’s there for game day setup and pack-up, he cooks the Thursday night BBQs, he jumps into the canteen whenever help is needed and he’s the first to put his hand up for any job, big or small,” he said.
“His contribution isn’t occasional; it’s week in, week out, season after season.”
Scott said much of Vance’s work happened before or after other people were around.
“He arrives early to make sure things are ready before anyone else shows up. He stays late to clean up when most people have already gone home,” he said.
“He’s also the kind of person who notices what needs doing before anyone asks and just gets on with it.”
Vance said he was surprised when he found out about his nomination. He said the reason he continued volunteering is because: “They welcomed me with open arms when I first started going there, and that’s why I keep going back.”
“I just do as much as I can for the football club because they do a lot for me,” he added.
Vance is among the Perth volunteers taking part in this year’s Legend of the Tongs campaign, with public voting available through the Legend of the Tongs website until September 6.
Two finalists will be chosen through the public vote, while another six will be selected by a Bunnings and AFL judging panel.
All eight finalists will receive a trip for two to the AFL Grand Final, while the overall winner will receive $25,000 in Bunnings products and materials for their club.
