Valued member: Club president Justin Cleary presents the football club’s changeroom attendant Jim Kirkpatrick with a My Shout membership.
Free membership to the Rochester Football Netball Club will be offered to every Rochester resident as a result of the My Shout Membership prorgam.
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Schools will be given memberships to distribute to every family and staff member and there will be collection points around town including Ampol, Rochester Newsagency, Rochester Sportspower and the 4Rs.
People will also be invited to collect a membership from football or netball training on Thursday evenings.
Some of the intiatives the club has been able to implement due to the increased memberships include:
• a mental health worker from Beyond Blue at every home game;
• entertainment including bands and airbrush tattoos for kids at selected home games;
• reduced cost of playing for all RFNC players and
• support in the way of providing equipment (boots, shoes, training gear) for players who were flooded.
The club has formed a sub-committee to work with Lachlan Cozens from Campaspe Shire to develop a plan to engage different members of the community and capitalise on the increased visitors to town for home games.
Rivalries will be put aside, at least off the ground, for the April 8 match with Kyabram as Kyabram Football Netball Club members came in large numbers to Rochester to assist in the clean-up in the days following the flood.
There will be a band post-game, airbrush tattoos for kids during the day and involvement from the Rochester Junior Football Club and Rochester Netball Association.
"We know that connection is so important in maintaining mental health. We want people to know that the RFNC is a place where people can come to recover and reconnect, whether they have an interest in football or netball or not," club president Justin Cleary said.
"Over the course of the floods, it became evident that our community was yearning for a place to gather together. A place to belong. We are hoping that we can offer that to the people of Rochester this season.“
The club’s netball president Katie Rasmussen said the floods had made the community and club stronger.
“Everyone lived it and has their own story to tell. We want to be together," she said.
Committee member Sharon Weeks said it had been mindblowing to watch the memberships and messages of support roll in from all over the world.
“It made us realise that we are not alone in this journey. We have so many people willing our community on," she said.
"If anyone wants a membership, or knows someone who does, don't be shy. Get in to one of the local businesses stocking them, or make contact with the club and we will arrange one for you.“
Tiger family: A-grade netball coach Linda Rasmussen gives player Alannah Weeks a My Shout membership for her and her family.
Club legend: Netball president Katie Rasmussen presents a My Shout membership to netball club legend Christine Hooppell.
Free entry: Rochester Football Netball Club committee member Sharon Weeks presents Peter Pearson with a My Shout membership.
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