04-07-2025
Hot water services, chalk, boots: footy greats celebrate 'spirit' of local sports clubs
If it's bucketing down with rain and too nippy outside for the house moggy, you'll still find the heart of local communities beating strong.
Volunteers all around Australia make their way to local junior footy clubs in rain, hail or shine to chalk up pitches, roll out the BBQ and clean kids' sports boots.
It's some of those volunteers who paved the way from Diamond Creek junior footy club in north-east Melbourne to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG for Collingwood champion Heath Shaw.
It comes as Shaw is recognised for an iconic moment at the 2010 Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St Kilda that enthralled fans.
His dogged smother of a footy off St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's boot that day has been immortalised in Toyota's 'Legendary Moments' ahead of the Good for Footy Round on July 4.
Football great and media personality Brian Taylor credited the gritty smother to Shaw's skill and acknowledged grassroots volunteers who help kids all around Australia achieve their dreams.
"This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said.
Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs.
Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008.
Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy.
"My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots.
"The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy."
Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother.
"To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special.
"I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said.
If it's bucketing down with rain and too nippy outside for the house moggy, you'll still find the heart of local communities beating strong.
Volunteers all around Australia make their way to local junior footy clubs in rain, hail or shine to chalk up pitches, roll out the BBQ and clean kids' sports boots.
It's some of those volunteers who paved the way from Diamond Creek junior footy club in north-east Melbourne to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG for Collingwood champion Heath Shaw.
It comes as Shaw is recognised for an iconic moment at the 2010 Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St Kilda that enthralled fans.
His dogged smother of a footy off St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's boot that day has been immortalised in Toyota's 'Legendary Moments' ahead of the Good for Footy Round on July 4.
Football great and media personality Brian Taylor credited the gritty smother to Shaw's skill and acknowledged grassroots volunteers who help kids all around Australia achieve their dreams.
"This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said.
Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs.
Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008.
Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy.
"My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots.
"The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy."
Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother.
"To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special.
"I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said.
If it's bucketing down with rain and too nippy outside for the house moggy, you'll still find the heart of local communities beating strong.
Volunteers all around Australia make their way to local junior footy clubs in rain, hail or shine to chalk up pitches, roll out the BBQ and clean kids' sports boots.
It's some of those volunteers who paved the way from Diamond Creek junior footy club in north-east Melbourne to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG for Collingwood champion Heath Shaw.
It comes as Shaw is recognised for an iconic moment at the 2010 Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St Kilda that enthralled fans.
His dogged smother of a footy off St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's boot that day has been immortalised in Toyota's 'Legendary Moments' ahead of the Good for Footy Round on July 4.
Football great and media personality Brian Taylor credited the gritty smother to Shaw's skill and acknowledged grassroots volunteers who help kids all around Australia achieve their dreams.
"This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said.
Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs.
Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008.
Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy.
"My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots.
"The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy."
Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother.
"To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special.
"I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said.
