THE South Australian National Football League has honoured long-serving River Murray Football League treasurer Jack Underwood for his 28 years of service to the local competition.
Underwood was presented with an SANFL Merit Award for his outstanding contribution to Australia Rules Football two weeks ago during the affiliated league’s luncheon at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide.
“I thoroughly enjoy it, the people you meet along the way ... the repetition and comradely you build up with people is great,” Underwood said.
“You feel like you are doing something useful.”
He is the first person from the River Murray Football League since Colin Norrish in 1986 to receive the award.
“You feel humble when you look up at who has received it in the past,” Underwood said.
“I’m the first recipient from here for a while.”
Underwood has been involved with the River Murray league for an astonishing 57 years, first beginning to play for a combined Mannum and Mypolonga junior colts side in 1950.
He then progressed up the grades playing senior colts and reserves for Mannum, before leaving to go on National Service in 1954.
When he returned, he became actively involved on the Rambler Football Club’s committee where he again worked his way up the ranks to become president in 1977.
In 1979 Underwood was invited to join the RMFL as treasurer.
“The football league needed a treasurer and I wasn’t really interested to begin with,” he said.
“After a few weeks I thought I would take it on for a year.
“Some 29-years later and I’m still here.”
Underwood was awarded RMFL life membership in 1990 and has been involved for 27 consecutive years in the RMFL finals series and Lovelock Shield carnivals.
He has also been recognised by the Australian Football League’s volunteer program with 10 and 25-year service awards.