By Luke Voogt
Newtown City Hockey Club could unearth the next great Australian goalie with Claire Barnes’ Club Legend Award prizemoney.
The goalkeeping granny has an eye for talent and put her $2000 runner-up prize from 2017 toward kit for the under-10s.
“The goalkeeping gear we had for them was too big,” the 64-year-old said.
“One of the teams has a boy who has the potential to be really good.”
Claire, who received an Order of Australia Medal in 2017, has played 717 games with the club over more than 40 years.
She also dedicated prizemoney to a Hockey Geelong all-girls competition.
“It’s really lovely to see them develop and become good members of the community and hockey club as well as good players,” she said.
Claire was thrilled to see “so many people doing so much good for so long” from other Geelong clubs at last year’s awards.
Inaugural Club Legend winner Roger Allen agreed.
“We’re not on our lonesome,” he said.
Roger put his $5000 prize toward new hard-wicket nets at North Geelong Cricket Club.
The junior coordinator, who also won an OAM in January, has been with his beloved club for 57 years.
Roger urged readers to vote for the $2000 People’s Choice award at clublegend.com.au before 2 September.
“I’m sure any club in Geelong could put that money to good use,” he said.
Club Legend winners will be revealed at a presentation night on 6 September.
