With a greater allocation of funds and resources now being invested back into people, players and welfare programs, the Brisbane Lions are staking an even greater claim to being regarded as the ‘Family Club’.
The Club’s already strong family values were further strengthened this past off-season following the acquisitions of favourite son (and daughter) Craig and Melissa Lambert from Greater Western Sydney.
Over the past six months, the Lamberts have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Lions players – as well as their parents, siblings, and friends – feel part of the broader ‘family’.
10 players have already shown their commitment to the Club by re-signing in recent months, with more expected to be announced soon.
“It's critical that our philosophy at the Lions is that we don't draft a player we draft a family,” Lambert told lions.com.au.
“The more we invest in our players and their families/partners, the greater chance we have of having an advantage over our opposition.
“Our aim is to become the most inclusive family club in the AFL competition.
The work being done behind the scenes in the welfare division extends beyond the Lamberts and those who are employed at the Club.
The powerful Lethal Lions group, for instance, hosted a first-class induction weekend for all first and second year players and their families, which showcased some of the best that Brisbane has to offer.
A Player Parents Program also exists in Melbourne – formed by the long-standing Lion Hunters Coterie – which goes a long way to ensuring the families of Victorian-based families, in particular, maintain a sense of belonging at the Club.
As part of the program, parents are regularly entertained in first-class facilities by the Lion Hunter members.
An annual Parents Lunch is also hosted at the beginning of each season in Melbourne, the most of recent of which was attended by Lions Legend Kevin Murray, Craig and Melissa Lambert, Football Administration Manager Nicole Duncan, and more than 20 player parents.
Among those who attended were Josh Schache’s mother, Rachel, and stepfather, Darren, who as a life-long Fitzroy supporter growing up, was thrilled to meet ‘Bulldog’ and even get the opportunity to wear his 1969 Brownlow Medal.
Peter and Sandra Bastinac (parents of Ryan) and Alan Walker (father of Josh) were among the newest members of the Lions’ family to attend the lunch, while Peter and Rosemary Martin were on hand to accept their son Stefan’s second consecutive Lion Hunters Player of the Year award from last year.
The feedback has been overwhelming from the parents, who claim the program helps bridge the distance the separates them from their sons.
“We appreciate the warmth, interest and inclusiveness (the Lion Hunters) offer us immensely,” Rosemary Martin said.
Peter and Rosemary Martin accept Stefan’s Lion Hunter Player of the Year Award.
Lion Hunter President John Dall’Amico believes the Player Parents Program is an essential component of the Club’s overarching ‘family’ values, and helps validate Melbourne as the Club’s official ‘home away from home’.
“The aim of the Parents Program is to firstly knowledge the contribution that the parents make indirectly to the Club, and therefore to us as supporters of the Brisbane Lions,” Dall’Amico said.
“Secondly, it helps the new parents who have recently joined this football family to feel welcome and to have the opportunity to meet other like-minded parents who have seen their sons move interstate to follow their dream.
“The program provides an opportunity for the parents to get to know each other and become entrenched into this long established family club.”
Lion Hunter President John Dall’Amico, Secretary Chris Orton, and Josh Schache’s stepfather, Darren Waite.
Kevin Murray with Rachel and Darren Waite, mother and step-father of first round draftee Josh Schache.
Trending Articles
Schache Joins Illustrious Company
TBT: Laurence Schache Highlights
