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Faith wins over football
27 May 2008
Linden Chuang
Public relations editorial assistant
Faith is of a higher priority than football for several Sabbath-keeping Avondale College students playing with a Lake Macquarie-based Australian Rules club.
About 20 students are registered with the Lake Macquarie Crows, but with most of the club's regular season games scheduled on Saturdays, many of the students are choosing not to play on that day. "The boys are stepping up and taking ownership of their faith," says Sam Sirilo, a fourth-year Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Teaching student.
Crows head coach John Jamison respects the students for choosing to honour their beliefs. "It hasn't been an issue since day one," he says. Jamison is also appreciative of the positive contribution the students make to the club. "They've been fantastic, and their attitude and commitment to training has been excellent," he says. "They've really helped us out through a major injury crisis."
According to Sam, the students who have put faith over football found the decision as easy one to make because of the influence they hope to have on the people around them. "No matter where you are or what you're doing, people can't help but take notice," says Sam.
The Crows play in the Black Diamond Australian Football League. While most of the Avondale students play for the reserve-grade team, several have been selected for the first-grade team. This team represents Lake Macquarie in the Black Diamond Cup, the highest level of competition in the Central Coast and Hunter regions.
The students enjoy playing with the Crows and appreciate the club's willingness to let them play. "The Crows look after their own," says Lucas Robinson, a second-year Bachelor of Business student. "The club has opened up its arms to me and the other boys who enjoy a game of AFL."
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