Clubs to remember a mate

JOEL RITCHIE

FOUR Northern Suburbs amateur soccer clubs will get together this Sunday to remember a fallen rival, team mate and friend.

The Bellambi Hotel, Ryan’s Hotel, Sandon Point and Cabbage Tree Hotel Amateur Soccer Clubs will play for the Adam Smith Memorial Cup at Cawley Park, Russell Vale, on Sunday.

The cup is in honour of former Bellambi Hotel captain-coach Adam Smith, who died in September 2003, aged 23.

Proceeds from the event, which has been held each year since Adam’s death, go to Camp Quality. More than $5000 has been raised so far.

Adam was born on January 7, 1980. He went to Bellambi Public School and Corrimal High.

He joined Bellambi Junior Soccer Club aged six before he and his brother Wayne played youth grade for Bellambi.

When Adam was 19, he, Wayne and some mates were asked to join Bellambi Hotel by his brother-in-law, who was the coach.

After a couple of years as a player, Adam was approached to the captain-coach position in 2003.

Adam readily agreed, as he relished a challenge. Unfortunately, the team did not have a very successful year.

Adam died on September 28 of that year, aged 23.

In January 2004, Adam’s parents, Laurie and Gail Smith, were approached by Bellambi Hotel Soccer Club members to a memorial day for Adam – an idea Laurie and Gail readily embraced.

Bellambi Hotel invited the Ryan’s Hotel, Sandon Point and Cabbage Tree Hotel to compete.

Fittingly, Bellambi were the first winners of the competition.

This year’s event will be held at Cawley Park, with the first games kicking off at 10am on Sunday.

Meanwhile, nominations for the Corrimal Leagues Club Amateur Cup close on Tuesday, February 26.

Only the first 32 teams will be entered in the competition, while the draw will be held on Wednesday, February 27.

Games will be 20 minutes each way with an immediate turn around.

Nominations are $20 per team plus $20 per game day for referees for rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4.