Passion for soccer

By Lia Bichel
A LOCAL Rotarian with a passion for soccer is kicking goals with students across Casey and Cardinia.
Pakenham resident and member of the Rotary Club of Narre Warren, Rob Hastings founded the Cardinia United Junior Soccer Club. Together with the Football Federation Victoria (FVV) and local councils, the club hosted the Casey Cardinia Inter Schools 5 Side Soccer Tournament last week.
Almost 200 Grade 5 and 6 boys and girls from across Casey and Cardinia battled it out to win the tournament, which was held at Lakeside Reserve, Pakenham on 22 March.
Three separate games were held simultaneously on six pitches with no goalkeepers and no off-side.
The most valuable boy and girl received a Memorial Trophy donated by the Narre Warren Rotary Club to honour the life of Graeme Maggs, a passionate soccer enthusiast who lost his battle with cancer in September last year.
The recipients were Reece Robic from Outlands Primary School and Sarah McDougal from Pakenham Consolidated School.
Mr Hastings said the event was a great success and a positive experience for the students. “The kids had an absolute ball,” he said.