SOUTH Gawler Football Club volunteer Dave Cash has been named a finalist for the SANFL’s Statewide Super Volunteer of the Year award after almost 15 years of dedication to the club.
As a finalist, Cash will receive two Adelaide Oval football memberships for the 2021 season, a free financial planning session courtesy of Statewide Super, and is in the running to take home the David Shipway AM Medal and get his name engraved on the trophy.
On top of that, the winner will receive one night’s accommodation for two people at the Serafino Winery in McLaren Vale.
Cash said he first arrived at the clubs when his two boys stared playing Auskick, and after seeing what the club was doing for his family, he felt like it was only fair that he gave back.
“I love being involved and helping people,” he said.
“It’s a great club to be involved with, and there’s some great people here.
“I’m just here trying to help out however I can – I’m a trainer, but also if someone needs a hand to carry a barbecue, or fill up water bottles, I just want to help.”
Cash spends close to 20 hours per week at the football club, despite both of his kids no longer playing due to work commitments, and when asked if he’d think about settling down sometime soon, he insisted this was settled down.
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays I get here around 5.30pm and leave around 8.30pm, and on Saturdays we’re getting here around 7am, and not really leaving until 7pm,” he said.
“This probably is me settled down really – I’m semi-retired from work, and I enjoy being here, so as long as I’m enjoying it I’ll keep doing it.
“Some of the A-graders we have now, I watched them playing in Auskick, so it’s good to be able to watch them progress and develop all the way through.
“I’ve got great friends here, and Gawler isn’t a very large town, so you can’t go down the street without running into someone from the club, or an opposition club – it’s just really good to be involved.”
Cash said he’s excited to taste some finals football again this year after some lean seasons in the A-grade competition, and whether he wins the medal or not, he’s just proud to be nominated.