By Lachlan Mitchell
Volunteers are the beating heart of local sporting clubs.
They’re the people who are working well before the sun comes up and get home well after the sun has gone down.
At Cranbourne the light…quite literally…is always on.
Andy Ligt was unanimously nominated to be this week’s Volunteer of the Week by the who’s who at the Cranbourne Football Club.
When asking around who should be this week’s Volunteer of the Week…a unanimous “where’s Lighty” chorus was heard all around Cranbourne’s home base of Livingston Reserve.
After a quick search for the man, he was found collecting the cash from the till.
Andy currently holds the position of Treasurer and also lends a hand during the cricket season.
’Lighty’ can usually be found where ever a job needs to be done, or wherever someone needs a helping hand.
“I’m treasurer and work in the bar obviously,” he said jokingly.
“I also help out in the canteen when you can on Thursday nights. Whatever needs to be done or whenever someone needs a chop out.”
Andy played his junior footy at Cranbourne and has seen the club grow and evolve since those humble days at the old racecourse footy ground in town.
“I have grown up in Cranbourne for over 50 years,“ he said.
“There are still people running around from when I was a little fella, I’ve been here for years.“
Andy is happy to put his hand up and help where ever necessary. The man of many talents is not only a feature on game-day but helps out with training as well as club events.
“I have been working at the club for probably five years, I had a bit of a break,” he explained.
Andy has witnessed premierships as well as seeing club legend Marc Holt kick his 1000th goal for the club.
The atmosphere and the environment of the Cranbourne Football Club is what keeps bringing Andy back for more.
“It’s a friendly club, when you’re helping out and you get that appreciation for just chipping in and doing a bit of work around the place, it’s great,“ he said.
“I’ve been to a few clubs where you can work and volunteer your time, but people don’t appreciate it and can trample on you.“
The family feel and camaraderie at Cranbourne makes it all worthwhile for one of the great guys at the club.
When asked why he does what he does, his answer was in true Lighty style.
“Someone has to…basically,” Andy said.
Volunteers play such a big part in the make-up of local sporting clubs.
Without the likes of Lighty and others who pour the pots or ring the sirens, sporting clubs would certainly lack that spark.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised, please let us know. Let’s make the volunteers even bigger stars than those on the footy fields and netball courts around the region.
