Our Royals Family: Deniel Condon – Team Manager Extraordinaire
In this edition of a series of features looking at some of the people and sponsors who make the Royals a fantastic place to be, we catch up with Deniel Condon, a fantastic example of a proactive volunteer and Team Manager that makes everyone in her son’s Under-10 Blue Kangas team feel welcome and supported.
In 2019, Deniel Condon had no involvement in football and no experience with the sport in her life.
Fast forward to 2021, and Deniel is a shining light at the Essendon Royals as an exceptional volunteer and team manager.
In her second year as a team manager, Deniel’s organisation, communication and commitment to her team and her role as Team Manager have been a joy to behold by all involved at the Royals.
This year, Deniel is the team manager of the Under-10 Blue Kangas team.
When her son expressed a desire to play the round-ball game, Deniel bought her son to the Royals seeking a family-friendly and inclusive environment and she soon found herself right in the thick of things.
“I didn’t know anything about soccer, this is why I was happy to volunteer because I do like learning about stuff and how things work”, Deniel said.
Deniel was willing to put herself out of her comfort zone to learn more about the game her young son took an interest in.
Once learning her role, Deniel loved being able to coordinate the team.
Her role includes; managing the team, communicating with the club and team, setting up and packing up grounds, bringing correct equipment to games and making sure the boys all wear the right colours and correct kit.
After the year off in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Deniel continued her role into 2021.
“I love the team, I love doing things for the team and to be honest, I just enjoy helping out”, Deniel said.
A sterling example of the type of person who helps community clubs run, Deniel took on such a critical role without any prior experience in the game and has played a big part in helping the young boys in her team get to learn the game and have fun.
Her support for team coach David De Nicolo allows him to focus on coaching the players, allowing all involved to get the most out of training sessions and matchday.
Deniel said she cannot see herself at any club other than the Essendon Royals, describing the club as full of friendly people and family-oriented.
“I love that the club is very well organised with their communications… that makes my job easier because they are so great at keeping their coaches and team leaders up to date with what’s going on,” Deniel said.
Deniel said her son loves coming and being able to see and play with his friends.
Deniel’s favourite memory at the club is when the club organised an intra-club match for the kids as a curtain-raiser to a Friday night senior game at Cross Keys Reserve.
The youngsters also got to join the Senior Men running onto the pitch to warm up.
Deniel is super grateful that many other parents also put their hands up to help out with things that need to be done on game day.
“It is incredible to see everyone come together and help out,” she said.
Essendon Royals are so grateful to have Deniel and her family as part of the club and all other volunteers and junior players. Without these people, clubs do not have junior teams and cannot create memories or share the love for the game.
Everyone at the Essendon Royals would like to thank Deniel and all our Team Managers for their incredible work at the club throughout 2021.
Stay tuned for more great stories from the Essendon Royals community.