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Re: Things that you rate!
Footy clubs. Full of good people doing great things most of the time.
A regional football club has created a goal flag contraption allowing a club legend to continue doing what he loves after losing his hand to cancer.
For almost 40 years Mark Depledge, 57, has been a part of the Wallaroo Football Club as a player, coach and volunteer helping out whenever he could.
After a six-year battle with a rare cancer, the former carpenter lost his right hand earlier this year, making him unable to umpire.
Club members decided to help the father of three where they could, hosting a “Mark Depledge Day” on Anzac Day, raising more than $2000 and showing off the new contraption allowing him to be a goal umpire and remain an active part of the community.
It’s good for me because it makes me feel useful at the club again,” he said.
“I spoke to (club president) Jason (Niotis) a while back and said I’d be happy to help out with tasks like time keeping that don’t require two hands, but they came up with this idea and I couldn’t believe it.”
Joining the club in 1987 as a junior, the club life member wanted to pursue goal umpiring at a higher level, aspiring to umpire in the SANFL or AFL if given the chance.
“I thought I’d have to move on from goal umpiring but Jason and (vice president) Scott (Mumford) gave me the chance to continue doing what I enjoy,” he said.
“I’ve had trouble mixing in with people since I lost my hand, so this has been a good way for me to become social again.”
Mr Depledge said he loves the flag contraption.
“I umpired last week and it was quite successful, when they kicked a goal I’d grab the contraption and hold it up with my left hand,” Mr Depledge said.
“The goal umpire on the other side of the oval said it looked really good and it was really easy to see the flags.”
Mr Niotis, 53, said it was important to look after members of the local community.
“We knew Mark was going through a tough time and wanted to give back after everything he’s done for the club,” he said.
“Scott Mumford, our vice president, came up with the idea and we got help from a local business called Sea Cruiser Fabrications to make this contraption to keep Mark involved.
“It sticks in the ground and the top piece made out of aluminium shaped like a Y, pulls out so Mark can hold up the two flags for a goal.”
After initially injuring his hand at work, Mr Depledge noticed it wasn’t recovering properly, and was later diagnosed with myxofibrosarcoma – an aggressive soft tissue cancer.
This led to the father of three undergoing seven surgeries over six years in an attempt to remove the tumour, but each time it grew back, leading to the decision to amputate.
With his rehab completed, Mr Depledge looks forward to umpiring for Wallaroo for the rest of the season and volunteering alongside his adult children Tom, Alisha and Bradley.
A regional football club has created a goal flag contraption allowing a club legend to continue doing what he loves after losing his hand to cancer.
For almost 40 years Mark Depledge, 57, has been a part of the Wallaroo Football Club as a player, coach and volunteer helping out whenever he could.
After a six-year battle with a rare cancer, the former carpenter lost his right hand earlier this year, making him unable to umpire.
Club members decided to help the father of three where they could, hosting a “Mark Depledge Day” on Anzac Day, raising more than $2000 and showing off the new contraption allowing him to be a goal umpire and remain an active part of the community.
It’s good for me because it makes me feel useful at the club again,” he said.
“I spoke to (club president) Jason (Niotis) a while back and said I’d be happy to help out with tasks like time keeping that don’t require two hands, but they came up with this idea and I couldn’t believe it.”
Joining the club in 1987 as a junior, the club life member wanted to pursue goal umpiring at a higher level, aspiring to umpire in the SANFL or AFL if given the chance.
“I thought I’d have to move on from goal umpiring but Jason and (vice president) Scott (Mumford) gave me the chance to continue doing what I enjoy,” he said.
“I’ve had trouble mixing in with people since I lost my hand, so this has been a good way for me to become social again.”
Mr Depledge said he loves the flag contraption.
“I umpired last week and it was quite successful, when they kicked a goal I’d grab the contraption and hold it up with my left hand,” Mr Depledge said.
“The goal umpire on the other side of the oval said it looked really good and it was really easy to see the flags.”
Mr Niotis, 53, said it was important to look after members of the local community.
“We knew Mark was going through a tough time and wanted to give back after everything he’s done for the club,” he said.
“Scott Mumford, our vice president, came up with the idea and we got help from a local business called Sea Cruiser Fabrications to make this contraption to keep Mark involved.
“It sticks in the ground and the top piece made out of aluminium shaped like a Y, pulls out so Mark can hold up the two flags for a goal.”
After initially injuring his hand at work, Mr Depledge noticed it wasn’t recovering properly, and was later diagnosed with myxofibrosarcoma – an aggressive soft tissue cancer.
This led to the father of three undergoing seven surgeries over six years in an attempt to remove the tumour, but each time it grew back, leading to the decision to amputate.
With his rehab completed, Mr Depledge looks forward to umpiring for Wallaroo for the rest of the season and volunteering alongside his adult children Tom, Alisha and Bradley.
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