Groundsman “Willie” keeps Popondetta Park in top shape for Rangers

MT DRUITT Town Rangers’ humble hero, Michael Eskelinen, has been nominated for a Service to Sport Award after six years of stellar groundskeeping.

Michael Eskelinen has been involved with the Rangers his whole life and for the last seven years he has voluntarily looked after Popondetta Park as a groundsman. Picture: David Swift

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MT DRUITT Town Rangers’ humble hero, Michael Eskelinen, has been nominated for a Service to Sport Award after six years of stellar groundskeeping.

The 51-year-old builder has renovated toilets, mounted a scoreboard and installed change room cubicles.

The self-employed builder works fulltime but still manages to spend several hours, four or five nights a week, making sure Popondetta Park looks its best.

Aside from faithfully, maintaining the field with the straightest lines the club’s members have ever seen, Mr Eskelinen has reinstalled Popondetta’s toilets adding a change table; fitted the team change rooms with individual cubicles “just like the big boys”; mounted their scoreboard and fashioned a trophy display cabinet from leftover windows he found at work.

Michael Eskelinen loves stepping up when someone needs help.

His tireless efforts for the club have earned him the affectionate nickname “Groundsman Willie”.

Rangers secretary Scott Payer said: “While Popondetta Park would not be what it is without the support and input of Blacktown Council, it is absolutely without doubt that the playing surface is arguably the best natural grass surface in the Football NSW program because of Mick’s efforts to repair and fill scuff marks and divots with sand week in week out.”

Mr Eskelinen said he was humbled by the nomination.

“There’s a lot of people who do a lot of hard work,” he said. “I see the work the club does and the community members and it just makes me want to do more.

“I don’t necessarily think I deserve an award for it. I love to help people. If I can help someone out, I’m more than happy to step up. I don’t expect recognition for it. It’s nice, but it’s one of the humbling experiences.”

Rebel is the major sponsor of the NewsLocal Junior Sports Star Awards.