By TONIC PRUSAC
LIVERPOOL legend Bill Shankly once said: “Football is not a matter of life or death, it’s more important than that!”.
Well, even the legendary Shankly would agree that, in a lot of cases, even his own legendary observation is somewhat of an embellishment. Especially in situations involving a tragedy or, in the following local instance, a good cause.
Last weekend an admirable case of great sportsmanship was enhanced by admirable humanity during a Geelong Regional Football Committee (GRFC) under-15 fixture between Elcho Park Cardinals and Surf Coast FC.
North Geelong Warriors technical director Josip Zilic, whose son Karl plays for the Cardinals under-15s was evidently touched by a post match incident at Banyul Warri Reserve that highlighted all that’s good with the local football community
“A sincere thank you and respect to the Surf Coast Football Club,” Zilic explained.
“As there was no referee appointed for the game and being the home side, Surf Coast’s Sam Nicholas bravely stepped up in very trying conditions and officiated the game. After the match, instead of accepting the match-fee payment, to which he would have been entitled, both clubs instead donated the fee to my Dry July campaign.
“We all have someone in our lives either directly or not far from direct that has been affected by cancer. My own mum battled with melanoma – she’s my inspiration to sacrifice a little to achieve a lot.”
Zilic lost mother Sofija to cancer in 2011.
“To everyone involved from both the Cardinals and Surf Coast, many, many thanks for your kind donation to a terrific cause. You gotta love the football family,” Zilic said, adding that $45 was donated from last Sunday’s game.
Supporting Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre at University Geelong Hospital, the proceeds from Zilic’s Dry July campaign will help improve patient care and the provision of quality cancer services for the people of Geelong and the western district.
Donations to his campaign can be made at au.dryjuly.com/profile/josipzilic.
