by Chris Yeend, Macedon Ranges Guardian
Every sporting club depends on hard-working volunteers behind the scenes. Some clubs have lean periods on and off the field and work through a rebuilding phase to lift them off the canvass and thrust them back into success. Macedon Football Netball Club has had some low moments in the past 15 years, but it is dedicated club members such as Aaron Christiansen who have played a vital role in generating success on and off the field. The crafty small utility celebrated his 150th Senior game recently against Lancefield, a fitting reward for someone who has offered so much to the club.
Christiansen, a personal trainer by trade, originally played for Gisborne under his father, Gavin, who was coach of the club at the time. He was approached by Macedon in 2006 to jump on board and assist in getting the Cats back on their feet. He crossed with step-brother, Robbie Challis, and the pair went on a mission to help the club find success.
When Christiansen first arrived, the Cats had a tiny little room for team selection on Thursday nights where they would order pizza and raffle off a bottle of bourbon to make extra money for the football trip. Now Thursdays are fully catered and the new rooms are remarkable.
"We initially had some trying years but I have really enjoyed helping the club and players develop," Christiansen said.
The Cats were the cellar dwellers of the competition when Christiansen arrived. He walked through the doors of the club in 2006 and took on every role he possibly could. He captained the team, has won two best and fairests and played in finals. His greatest achievement was when he received the Best Clubman award as voted by his peers. This award became even more special when his grandmother won the same award in 2014, two months prior to her death.
"Aaron is the ultimate professional when it comes to footy," said aunt and club committee member, Lee Christiansen.
"The change in success is a significant part. When he and his father Gav arrived, Macedon were the easy beats of the RDFNL. Slowly, Aaron, along with many other people, have lifted Macedon to the new powerhouse of the league."
Christiansen is passionate and extremely dedicated to the Cats.No-one would take a loss harder and more personally than he would. The boys would joke about being on suicide watch after a loss, but they would never knock his passion.
The Cats returned to the finals for the first time in many years in 2008. Their most successful season in Christiansen's time at the club was in 2011 when the Cats were the only team to defeat eventual premiers, the Romsey Redbacks. They played in the first semi-final after three successive elimination final appearances.
"I am keen to keep helping the cause for the ever-elusive flag, one day, hopefully sooner than later," Christiansen said.
Last Modified on 12/06/2015 10:00