Situation vacant: Any takers

After 17 years manning the Chapel Street gate on home match days for the Phillip Island Football and Netball Club (PIFNC) on Saturdays, Rod Spottiswood has announced he is finally “hanging up his boots” - and is on the lookout for his replacement.

Rod enjoys the job, selling entrance tickets and catching up with the island’s footy families, young players and visitors on alternate winter Saturdays down at the Cowes Rec Reserve, but ill health has taken its toll over the last 12 months, and he is no longer able to continue.

Rod first volunteered his services as the Chapel Street gate keeper 17 years ago, when he noticed then PIFNC president Noel Burrell doing the job.

“It occurred to me that Noel already had plenty to do on Saturdays, running the entire club, and that I could step up and take a bit of the load off him.

“With my kids enjoying footy and netball on Saturdays, I thought that was the least I could do,” Rod said.

Rod’s kids have long moved through the football and netball players’ ranks, but he remained on the job because he enjoyed it.

He starts the day at 9.30am and finishes at 3pm. The Club sends morning tea and lunch across to him as the day wears on, and the workload is simple.

In the early days, cash was the ticket currency but these days the vast majority of spectators simply swipe their credit cards, which makes life very easy and simple.

“I am no technophobe,” says Rod, “so don’t be daunted from using the card machine if you are interested in the job. It is a very simple operation.”

He is offering on-the-job training this Saturday for anyone who might like to take over from him. With just another two home games scheduled for the remainder of 2023, his replacement will have plenty of good practice in time for next year.

About nine home games are played over the footy/netball competition season, with the final series played at other grounds.

Rod said the gate shelter is quite a comfortable place to spend a few hours on a Saturday – but in inclement weather he takes refuge in his reserved car park beside the ticket shed, and runs the gate from there.

He takes a benevolent approach to the occasional spectator who has suddenly found themselves minus their wallet or membership card.

“I have heard every excuse in the book, but it all sorts itself out in the end.”

He also performs another important community service from his vantage point at the gate.

On more than one occasion he has had to intercept an adventurous toddler heading out toward Chapel Street, with no mum or dad in sight. His pocketknife also came in handy when he rescued another child who managed to impale himself one day in the barb wire fence behind the shed.

“It’s all fun” he says.

If you would like to contribute to the community, and join the hundred or so PIFNC volunteers who help out in a variety of capacities each week at the footy ground, Rod would love to hear from you.

With just three games left this year, now is a good time for anyone interested to put their hand up, and Rod will teach you the ropes this Saturday. Male or female, it does not matter, says Rod.

“It’s easy to help out and I have found the role very rewarding.”

Speaking on Monday, PIFNC president Chris Ross thanked Rod for his outstanding contribution to the Club as gate keeper over 17 years.

“We are forever grateful. We are looking forward to meeting Rod’s replacement, just as soon as he has found one, and welcoming him or her into our team of volunteers.”

Rod can be contacted on 0400 488 770.