FIVE NEW INDUCTEES JOIN 300-GAME LIFE
MEMBERSHIP CLUB
By Chris Chick
Last year, the Western Region Football League
introduced a new 300-Game Life Membership
concept in which club and umpiring legends were
recognises for the outstanding contribution to the
league.
Calling on nominations for candidates who have
played/umpired 300 or more open age games in
the FDFL/WRFL earlier this year, five more
inductees have joined the growing list of 300-Game Life members.
After nominations were reviewed by a sub-committee, chaired by Spotswood legend Len
‘Spud’ Murphy, Charlie Pagano (North Footscray), Andrew Fregonese (Umpires & West
Footscray), Lindsay Howarth (Spotswood), Trevor O’Shannassy (Albion) and Sean Weir (Port
Colts) will join last year’s crop of inductees.
The inclusion of the five men will see a total of nine WRFL 300-Game Life Members, joining
2013 inductees Gavin Langlands (Spotswood), Brett McQuade (Port Colts), John Sutton
(Kingsville/Umpires) and Glen Thompson (Seddon/Umpires).
It is a fantastic achievement by these men and well deserved recognition for the service
they have given to not only their local club, but to the league over many years.
West Footscray champion and WRFL umpiring legend Andrew Fregonese says it is a
wonderful honour to be awarded Life Membership.
“It’s not every day something like this happens,” he said.
“Joining some other long time servants of the league who have been involved for a long
time, it is a great honour.”
Andrew first got involved in the WRFL as a junior, playing all his football in the red and white
Roosters jumper right through to the seniors.
When the time came to hang up the boots, Andrew was keen to continue his involvement
with football, on the hunt for something to keep himself fit. With a family history of
umpiring running through his blood, Andrew decided to pull on the whites and become a
well known league umpire.
Adjudicating in five Grand Finals throughout his career, Andrew says that they rank up there
in the most enjoyable moments with the league.
“Obviously umpiring the Grand Finals was a highlight, but also playing in premierships with
West Footscray and playing milestone games were among my favourite moments....but
there are too many to name,” he said.
Another man to join the new batch of 300-game life member inductees is Spotswood legend
Lindsay Howarth.
“It is not only a fantastic individual honour but it is more of an honour getting rewarded
with the four blokes that join me in getting the award,” he said.
Lindsay has been at Spotswood as long as anyone can remember, playing his entire junior
and senior football with the Woodsmen starting way back in the Under 11s.
Reminiscing on his career, Lindsay recalls one of his many highlights when he pulled on the
green and gold jumper in the seniors for the first time as a 14-year-old.
“In my first game of senior footy, I played in the thirds when I was just 14,” he said.
“Those boys taught me football and anyone who tried to run through me that day didn’t
make it off the ground.”
Since hanging up the boots, Lindsay has remained at Spotswood, working with the club right
up until Round 4 of this season, before having to take some time out for medical treatment.
However despite his health issues, Lindsay says that he continues to keep an eye out for all
the latest news and results, and will be in attendance at the finals as long as Spotswood are
still alive and well in Division One.
A 300-Game Life Membership is a fantastic achievement for this group of league legends as
we congratulate them on what has been an outstanding career with the WRFL.
Follow Chris on Twitter @chrischick24