In 2012, the NFL was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the Victorian RSL for the ceremonies conducted by clubs over the corresponding weekend and the NFL and the RSL are very keen to build on that relationship.
Football has always played in important role within our armed services personnel; enhancing fitness, building morale, providing a physical outlet, negating boredom and providing a tangible link to home when on overseas duty. Even in the difficult terrain of Gallipoli, soldiers reportedly had kick to kick sessions between trenches and on the beach. During the WW1 campaign, there were matches played in London in front of royalty, matches played in France for the entertainment of locals and the famous portrayal in the movie Gallipoli of soldiers playing a match in front of the pyramids.
One particularly poignant account of a battlefield game was from the Somme, where the description of the match went as follows: "the ground was situated amidst the heavy system of entrenchments that had constituted the German front line on a pock-marked field; practically surrounded by trenches, the ground frozen and strewn with pieces of barbed wire and fragments of shells. Sheltering from the cold wind, the spectators viewed the game from the trenches, their heads just visible above the ground, within shelling range of the front line. A few plucky volunteers held the goal posts in position during the game. Behind the goal-posts on the southern end was a small heap of earth — the grave of dead soldiers — with the simple but sublime superscription ‘To unknown British Heroes’. Lieutenant L.G. Shout wrote: ‘the game had given the men fresh heart for it, and had carried their thoughts vividly back to those happy days when football was played in certain Melbourne suburbs they had called home."
It is upon return from active service that local football has had a major impact. Local football provided the opportunity for returned soldiers to immediately reconnect with their community and in turn, these soldiers provided a fillip for the leagues’ playing and volunteer ranks. Football clubs provided a supportive and positive environment where the elements of teamwork and mateship remained constant and familiar. Whilst never going to wash away the scars of war, football created an immediate interest which provided physical and mental stimulus.
Veterans in this area have contributed enormously to our competition; from WW1 veterans at the time of the DVFL’s inception in 1922, through to the modern day where many Vietnam Veterans (and other conflicts) remain actively involved with our clubs. Also, many active service personnel based at Watsonia participate in our league and so our connection to the military, past and present, remains strong.
Sport and war have long been synonymous with Australia’s identity. ANZAC Day and our commemorations over this weekend not only remember the losses we have suffered in the line of duty, but also recognises the enormous contribution veterans have made to our league and our sport.
Lest we forget.
