Congupna president Debbie McColl claims AFL Victoria Merit Award for 40 years’ service

It’s the rhythm of her winters, and has been since the mid-1980s.

Recently, McColl was formally recognised for her dedication with an AFL Merit Award, a distinguished accolade handed out at the AFL Victoria Community Football Awards at IKON Park on October 10.

“We’re all volunteers and we don’t take on roles for recognition; we’re doing our bit for our community clubs. But it is nice when someone says thanks for your effort,” she said.

“While I’m really humbled to have this award, every community club is a team effort and we have some great people at our club that I work alongside with and (who) support me. A big thanks to all our Congupna community.

“I’d also like to thank my family for their support. I couldn’t do it without them.”

For four decades, family and friends have kept McColl tied to Congupna.

And how fitting.

Both drew her to the club in the first place; her brother was the connection - he played junior football at The Road - with McColl starting off playing netball before landing on a ladies’ committee.

Then came the meeting that would cement Congupna as McColl’s true north.

“I met my husband who was recruited to the club from Queensland,” she said.

From that point on, the club wasn’t just part of her life; it became the surrounding framework, and nowadays, McColl’s fingerprints are everywhere, from the clubroom walls to the culture.

She’s served as secretary, treasurer, committee member and now president — a trailblazer who, around 2011, became one of country Victoria’s first female football presidents.

“I’m not sure if I was the only one, but definitely one of the first because back in those days, I guess it wasn’t the done thing,” she said.

“But our club was really supportive and they wanted me to do it.

“I thought I’d pretty well held most of the roles in the club and I was really honoured that the club approached me and said we’d think you’d do a good job.

“I thought that was terrific that they’re backing in a female to come into a role like that.”

That spirit of giving people a go still defines Congupna today.

Under McColl’s stewardship, the club has become something of a model for what a regional sporting organisation can be with sustainability, family-orientation and ambition stitched into the Congupna storyline.

Though the tasks of a volunteer have changed since she began - more paperwork and compliance documents to fill out - The Road’s ethos hasn’t wavered.

“We’re a club that’s very focused on looking after all the people that are involved in our club, and that’s on and off the field,” McColl said.

“I think we do that well; we really are a community and we do look out for people, and that makes me really proud that we’re inclusive.”

McColl knows the importance of promoting a holistic approach in sport.

After all, it can be such a powerful vehicle - and The Road is a perfect example.

“I just think it’s great to see so many people involved in sport; I think it’s so important for people to make new friends, to have broader opportunities,” McColl said.

“Sometimes it might be a work opportunity, sometimes it’s a social aspect and for the younger players, it’s a safe place for them to be with their mates, to enjoy it and it gives them a purpose.“

Those qualities have kept Congupna humming through the lean years and the triumphant ones.

McColl recalls when The Road wasn’t a greased and geared premiership machine.

But as they say, build it and they will come.

“The years I’ve been out there, there’s been some low moments at the club where there wasn’t a great deal of success on the footy field and the netball court,” she said.

“To work our way to where we are now, it’s fantastic.

“We have a full complement of juniors, we’ve added a netball team into the SNA which was the first time last year, we have a Roadrunners program where we work cooperatively with Tallygaroopna Footy Club.

“I think it’s great; we’re getting stronger and stronger.”

When autumn’s coattails ride into winter and the time comes where footies need pumping and registrations need filling, McColl returns.

Her motivation? To ensure the club thrives long after she eventually steps back.

“I guess what drives me to come back is to make sure in five years time our club is still flourishing, we’re still growing, looking at new ways of doing things, supporting players and people.

“I’m really proud of what we achieve, and I just think being around such a great group of people, that’s what really keeps me interested.”

So, forty years on, The Road still leads her home.