Fay, footy’s top woman

By Bridget Cook
FAY Hendy is the epitome of a woman making a mark in the football world – something she has been doing for more than 35 years.
Ms Hendy, who has been involved with Doveton Senior Football Club for 28 years, longer including juniors, was named MPNFL Woman of the Year at the fourth annual MPNFL Women Making a Mark ladies day luncheon last week.
Upon receiving her award, Ms Hendy said she was honoured.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time there (Doveton Football Club), or I wouldn’t still be there,” she said.
“When my husband died, it was what kept me going.”
Ms Hendy joined the ladies committee at the Doveton Lions junior football club in 1975, where she was involved in fundraising, working in the canteen and other duties.
It was when her son Darren crossed from juniors to seniors in 1982, that Ms Hendy and her husband Bill, now deceased, became heavily involved.
In 1983, Ms Hendy started working in the canteen, something she continued for another 23 seasons.
During those 23 years, Ms Hendy was also involved in preparing all players and supporters meals every Thursday night and preparing meals and supper at all club functions.
While she is no longer involved with the canteen, she is still actively involved with the club. She helps out with social functions and now washes and mends the entire senior and reserves jumpers every week – a job she has had for the past 12 seasons.
MPNFL administration manager, Sue Jones, who presented Ms Hendy with her award, said she has had a great impact at the club.
“She has been a mother figure to a lot of youngsters at the club with her boys always coming home with two or three mates on a regular basis who would stay for days with the Hendy house commonly known as the halfway house,” she said.
“Fay still thoroughly enjoys her time at the club and currently has a lot to enjoy with four granddaughters playing netball, grandsons Ryan and Travis playing senior footy, oldest son Steve as football secretary, granddaughter Melinda netball secretary and you wouldn’t believe, daughter-in-law Janine and son Darren managing the canteen.”