Beaconsfield through and through. Erik and Judy Ruse are life members of the Beaconsfield Eagles and have been involved for the past 16 years. By Glen Atwell
The happily married couple has been involved with Beaconsfield for the past 16 years, a love affair that started with a meattray raffle ticket.
Judy explained that Erik used to buy tickets in the club’s draw from life members selling them at the pub.
“After a while, we got involved on the committee and have been going ever since,” she said.
Erik, ground manager, dedicates his time ensuring the Eagles have a suitable ground to play on, while secretary Judy looks after the daytoday running of the club.
He has maintained Perc Allison Oval for the past four years and spends 30 to 40 hours a week making sure the oval is in tiptop condition.
But the battle is hard work.
“We have one ground and so many teams playing on it,” he said.
“It’s used almost every day of the week, four games on Saturdays and three on Sunday, then training all week.”
The 65yearold said he loves being around the Beaconsfield Football Club, but is happier the Eagles are no longer the Tigers.
“I drove past the club for the first time in 1981 and the players were running around in Tiger jumpers,” he said.
“I thought, I’m not getting involved with that mob.”
Soon Erik and Judy were part of the family and enjoying every moment spent inside the Eagles’ nest.
“It’s hard to decipher what makes Beaconsfield what it is, but the people are friendly, honest and everyone makes everyone feel welcome,” he said.
Judy’s resume of service includes cleaning, organising and general secretarial responsibilities.
“I love being involved with the club, it’s a really great place,” she said.
The only thing Judy hasn’t done is sell pies and serve beer.
“I don’t step into the canteen very often and stay away from the bar,” she laughed.
Judy said the levelheaded attitude of the Eagles’ playing group made the Casey Cardinia club a very friendly place.
“There’s no big heads at the Eagles, everyone works as a team and offers handson help,” she said.
Judy said being focused on forward planning was a key to success for the Beaconsfield Football Club.
“Planning ahead is so important,” she said.
“Knowing how many juniors are coming through, the situation with coaches and things like that. If you know what to expect, things are a lot easier.”
It was a long day for Erik on Saturday when his beloved Eagles suffered their fourth loss of the season against Narre Warren.
Erik was all smiles at halftime when Beaconsfield trailed by only two points, but the scoreboard attendant could barely keep up with the Magpies in the secondhalf.
“It was a good game up until halftime,” he laughed.
