26 August 2026
As a kid chasing his football dream, Andrew Redmayne didn’t fully appreciate just how much was happening behind the scenes to make it possible.
Now a dad himself, he does.
Some of Andrew’s earliest and fondest football memories are of gala days at Gavenlock Oval on the Central Coast of NSW – spending the whole day running around, playing football and having fun with his mates.
But behind those memories were parents, coaches and volunteers giving their time to make sure the kids could simply get out there and play.
“Parents often stepped in to coach, the washing was shared around just like the half time oranges,” Andrew says.
“They all played a huge role for me and for all the kids in the team and club.”
The sacrifices you understand later
As Andrew progressed through football, the commitment required from his own parents became enormous.
At the time, he didn’t think too much about it. Looking back now, particularly as a father himself, he sees it very differently.
“I can’t fathom the hours Mum and Dad put in in the car to get me down to Sydney five days a week,” Andrew says.
“After working a full day, then having to commute down just to pick me up – I am forever grateful for that. They gave up so much for me to chase my dream.”
There’s one small detail that has stayed with him.
Whenever his mum or dad picked him up, they would have a hot meal waiting in the car so he could eat dinner on the way home.
“They went above and beyond for me,” Andrew says.
“Especially now, I realise the enormity of the time and effort they put in for me.”
The people who keep community sport going
Andrew also remembers the mums and dads who stepped forward to coach and manage teams, work in the canteen, cook on the barbecue and fill the countless other roles needed to keep a club running.
“Dads and mums would pitch in and fulfil roles to make things as easy as possible for the team to play well, enjoy themselves and for things to run smoothly,” he says.
“I remember Mum and Dad pitching in at the canteen or on the BBQ. At the same time, every club has those people who are always there – a friendly face.”
They are the people Andrew believes make community sport possible.
And his message to the parents and volunteers doing the same thing every week across Australia is a powerful one.
“The work they put in to allow everyday kids to have the best hour or two they have in a week is not lost on any children,” Andrew says.
“Although they may not appreciate it now, they will.
“The memories they create are down to all the parents and volunteers that keep community sport alive and thriving.”
Although they may not appreciate it now, they will.
Andrew Redmayne
On the parents and volunteers who make community sport possible
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