Greg Petrie, of H.E.A.D.S. (Hillsburgh, Erin and District Soccer) is putting his money where his appreciation is.
Petrie was at Erin council recently with a $2,000 cheque to recognize Erin recreation director Graham Smith’s support of the local soccer club.
He quipped that he hoped the donation would start the meeting off a bit easier since he was not asking for anything.
“We’ve been lucky and now have over 750 kids in our club. It’s the biggest Sports club in town.”
He said the club has evolved dramatically in the past few years, part of which was the club’s hosting its first tournament last year.
He said Smith was a great supporter of the club.
Petrie said the first tournament hosted by the club involved 300 to 400 families.
He hoped the upcoming tournament will be a bigger venue and incorporate the entire town – providing a broader opportunity for the community.
“If you get 50 teams in, you are using fields in Hillsburgh and Erin and in doing so bring in 800 to 900 families for the event.”
Petrie added that he and Smith were talking on the phone recently about the fields and the repairs needed.
He said the club was managed well and with a surplus last year.
The decision was to use some of that surplus to repair the fields.
“It is not just our club using it, but a lot of other people too.”
He agreed the club and its 750 members would benefit, but so would the town.
Petrie hoped this would be a good start and something that could be continued.
