Top sport: Richard Haugh, rugby volunteer of the year.
By Noel Murphy
GEELONG rugby mainstay Richard Haugh is the kind of community fixture who typifies the best sport has to offer a community.
Player, coach, selector, manager, social secretary, fundraiser with the Geelong Rams Rugby Club – he’s been everything from an on-field premiership star to bus driver.
It’s why Mr Haugh won Victorian Rugby Union’s volunteer of the year award this year.
He’s now in the running for national rugby volunteer of the year.
“I’ve done just everything in the club,” he laughed.
“I very much love the sport. I’ve been brought up with sport and both my eight-year-old kids are playing the sport.
“Volunteering in community is very important. If you don’t have volunteers in clubs and sports you don’t survive.’’
Victorian Rugby Union’s Charlie Bamford described Mr Haugh as “a tremendous asset” for his club and the sport in general.
He was a worthy winner of the Victorian award, Mr Bamford said.
Mr Haugh believed his hard work was reaping dividends on and off the field.
Junior numbers had all but doubled in the past year, which he put down to a visit to Geelong by Melbourne Rebels as much as local word of mouth.
“It’s pleasing to see those kids come through and play senior rugby. It’s tough game but I put it this way: rugby has a position for everyone no matter their shape or size.
“I just love seeing us doing well on the paddock. Seeing the kids enjoying it, I get huge satisfaction.
“And the team’s doing well, too. All the hard work of the last few years has paid off – the other clubs know we’re up and about, that when they play us they’re in for a tough day.”
