Saturday 30 June saw the inaugural presentation of the Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde Cup for the Churchill Football Netball Club where Churchill took on Gormandale in the North Gippsland Football Netball League clash. The game was played out in wet and wintery conditions and at games end Churchill 116 were triumphant over Gormandale 33.
Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde was a much respected past player and official for both the Churchill and Gormandale senior football sides and a much loved Churchill local who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde Cup named in Ken’s honour will become a popular annual event hosted by the Hazelwood and Churchill Past Players Association each year. The cup is awarded to the winner of the senior football game.
Melina Bath, Member for Eastern Victoria Region said, “The Hazelwood and Churchill Past Players Association is active community group dedicated to honouring the memory of the club’s past and they help keep alive the hard work, commitment and passion of the Churchill Football Netball Club. “The Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde Cup is a fantastic example of a community event where the present and past come together.”
Many years ago Ken Rohde alongside his great mate Jimmy Stevens started the Hazelwood and Churchill Past Players Association and together they created a forum for past players of the Churchill Football Netball Club to come together.
“Remembering the past and honouring and acknowledging past players, members and officials in any community organisation is an important activity. While creating events such as the Ken ‘Bubbles Rohde’ Cup remind us what went into building and developing our culture and set the standard for the future.”
“Importantly they provide a moment in time where we can pause and catch up with old friends and relive our memories when our lives too often become busy with other activities,” said Ms Bath.
Sheridan Bond, The Nationals Candidate for Morwell said, “Congratulations must be provided to the Hazelwood and Churchill Past Players Association, the Churchill Football Netball Club, Gormandale Football Netball Club and the Rohde family for their involvement in this wonderful event.”
The Rohde family were actively involved in day from the toss of the coin through to the presentation of the inaugural Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde Cup. The proceedings were concluded with a dinner hosted by the past players association.
“It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet with extended members of the Rohde family. The Rohde name has been synonymous with the Churchill Football Netball Club over the decades and the family has produced many talented footballers and netballers in the Latrobe Valley region. I look forward to seeing the Ken ‘Bubbles’ Rohde cup go from strength to strength in the future,” concluded Ms Bond.
