Northcote Community Soccer
The community soccer game is in it's 5th year and is still happening every Sunday morning. In 2005, Christmas Day fell on a Sunday and they all decided to still play. The adults toasted each other after the game with champagne and then everyone went on to their various families for Christmans lunch. Playing soccer with the community on Christmas morning worked so well that they decided to do it again last Christmas even though Christmas Day fell on a Monday.

As a result of these games, the group decided to all go away together on Australia Day. Eight families and 34 people all together, and of course there was a soccer game in the caravan park. The eight families have already booked for next year. Billy the dog came to every soccer game and you can see her here at her last game as she died the following day at age 17. Of the matches themselves, Jeff says: “I like the casual aspect of it. Sometimes we sit down at the end of the game and one of the kids will come back to our house or Harry and Joe will go to their house … It gives you a good sense of community and you get involved with people in your area that you wouldn’t normally see. It is relaxed and doesn’t take up much time, which an organised sport would.”

Harry says “it’s good, very very very very good. After the game we have a rest and chat to people and the kids play with (younger brother) Owen. Sometimes people have birthdays there playing soccer. After the birthdays the kids have so much lollies and ice-creams and have a run around with Owen. Still after the game, we invite people over to our house or go to their house. I really like soccer so much.”