Flinders Park president Sam Snowdon to retire after 200th senior game

A local footy club president will call time on his playing career after competing in his 200th senior game this weekend.

A local SA footy club favourite will call time on his playing career after celebrating a major milestone this weekend.

Flinders Park president Sam Snowdon will play in his final and 200th senior game for the Reds this weekend when his C Grade side takes on Salisbury North.

The 38-year-old, who is the son of Port Adelaide Football Club board member and former football manager Rob Snowdon, has been playing at the club for 20 years but said he was looking forward to giving his body a rest.

“I’ve got mixed emotions about it really,” Snowdon said.

“It’s been 20 years and my average of 10 games a year isn’t great but I guess 200 is a pretty good milestone to celebrate.

“Im sure it will hit me that I’m not going to be playing again after Saturday’s game but it’s going to be a big day with a few other milestones to celebrate so I’m just focused on enjoying it at the moment.

“My body is also pretty shot so I’m looking forward to giving it a bit of a rest.”

Flinders Park president Sam Snowdon will play his 200th and final game this weekend. Picture: Ann Marie O'Connor

A dedicated stalwart at the Reds, Snowdon has played for all of the grades through his 20 years with the club and has also filled a number of roles on the sidelines.

He said he had a number of standout memories from his playing career, including four C Grade premierships.

“Right from the start of my time here the club has been so inclusive and just a great, supportive family club,” Snowdon said.

“We’re a fairly young club but the culture is the main thing and we accept people for who they are.

“As a player you want to win premierships and I was lucky enough to experience a few and also be involved in a few B and A Grade flags on the sidelines during some injuries as well.

“The club winning four flags in 2011, one for each grade, has probably been the biggest highlight.”

Snowdon in action for the Reds in 2013. Picture: Jayson Vowles

Snowdon has been on the Flinders Park board for six years but took the opportunity to become president of the club at the start of last season.

He has overseen a number of major successes in footy, cricket and netball at the Reds since, including an A Grade division three flag in the Adelaide Footy League last season.

“Being president is a challenge at times but we’ve got a great executive committee and I’ve really loved it.

“Last year was massive for us as a club on and off the field.

“We just wanted to go back to enjoying our footy and we saw success follow, but we also had a bunch of kids join our juniors and had a successful year in both footy and cricket, as well as a few netball premierships.

“The spot we’re in right now is amazingly positive and we’re going to go from strength to strength in the coming years.”

The Reds will make A Grade finals in division two this season and could move up to third during the final fixture of the minor round this weekend.