Goodwood Saints win Good Sports Awards’ best national junior club title

An SA footy success story has trumped 10,000 others across the country to be named the best junior sports club in the nation.

Goodwood Football Club president Craig Scott, junior football director Andrew Braley, with players Holly, 8, and Harrison, 11. The Saints have been named the best junior sporting club in Australia in Adelaide. Picture: Morgan Sette

Goodwood Saints prides itself on being “like a country club in the city”, according to its president.

It’s a place where youngsters can feel safe and have fun while playing footy with their mates.

Now volunteers and members have been rewarded for the efforts after the Saints were named the Sports Junior Club of the Year at the Good Sports Awards last month.

Goodwood was up against 10,000 other clubs from a variety of different sports across the nation but was recognised with the top gong for its “outstanding dedication to inspiring positive change and building a healthier, more family-friendly club environment”.

The club, which has 10 junior boys teams and five girls sides, was presented with its award at a ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra.

Saints president Craig Scott was proud the club had been recognised nationally.

Goodwood club President Craig Scott, junior football director Andrew Braley, Holly, 8, and Harrison, 11. Picture: Morgan Sette

“It’s pretty amazing when you think about 10,000 clubs that are in Good Sports, it’s a bit overwhelming to be honest,” Scott said.

“One of our catchcries is that we are part of the community.

“We get told quite often that we are like a country club in the city.

“It’s a lot about looking after each other.

“We encourage our juniors to look at the changerooms after the games and make sure it’s clear before they leave, take their plates and glasses up to the kitchen and push their chairs in – I know that’s never going to win premierships but it’s about culture at our club.”

The Good Sports Awards recognise clubs and volunteers who give their all to their sport and work hard to improve the health and wellbeing of members, families and sporting communities.

Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program and has helped build strong community sporting clubs for the past two decades.

“We’ve been part of Good Sports for more than five years and it helps us with polices and procedures and it’s certainly been a worthwhile organisation to be involved with,” Craig said.

Goodwood’s A grade men’s side won last year’s top tier flag, beating Rostrevor Old Collegians by 24 points and dedicated the victory to former teammate Shane Tuck, who died suddenly three months before the grand final.