Super volunteer Darren Rigg

Montmorency Junior Football Club (MJFC) was established in 1968 and prides itself on an inclusive club. MJFC has one of the largest junior memberships with over 500 players. They’re Good Sports Level 3 accredited, the highest level, and proud.

Like father, like son

“I volunteer my time to the club because I have three kids getting a life experience from this footy club and see it as appropriate to be part of the fabric of what we do and how we do it.” said Darren.

“I feel a sense of achievement when people say a simple ‘thank you’ or tell me the club has a real community feel about it.”

Darren played for Monty, in the outer northeast suburbs of Melbourne, for nine years. His father filled the shoes of the role of President. Since Darren’s own children have started playing for the club, he has been a coach and committee member for the past nine years. He’s taken on the role of President for the last two and gives up more than 20 hours of his own time each week to run the club.

First in, last out

Monty Vice-President Daniel Thorne said Darren is a key driving force behind the club’s healthy and welcoming culture.

“Darren is very active in his participation to the point where he takes too much on at times. He’s always the first at the grounds to open up and the last one there at the end of the Sunday to lock up,” Daniel added.

Keeping everyone connected

Although the club can’t currently train or play matches, the committee and Darren are working hard to keep everyone connected. They’re sending out video messages to members and their families and posting social media challenges for junior players to participate in.

“We have asked players and families to tag us on social media with any impressive football things they do and have offered vouchers for to the best posts as incentives for everyone to stay connected. Our committee has started meetings via Zoom to keep on top of things as well,” said Darren.

A fantastic role model for the Montmorency Junior Football Club

The main reason Monty club joined Good Sports is to promote sport to children, focusing on the game and their participation rather than the exposure to alcohol. Darren and the committee believe in the program. The changes the club made because of participation have been positive already. It’s due to passionate volunteers like Darren that these changes can be so successful.

“Volunteers like Darren are the backbone of community sporting clubs and work tirelessly to ensure people can enjoy the many benefits of sport,” said Good Sports Acting Victorian Manager, Daniel Vautin.