A legion of volunteers descended upon Intiga Stadium over the weekend as Inglewood United seeks to make the best possible start on season 2015. A Saturday morning busy bee brought together every aspect of club life through the shared goal of improving Inglewood’s playing arena and surrounds.

“There was a fantastic response to the busy bee,” junior president Dave Ewen enthused. “The volunteer help was up 400% better on last year. We had junior and senior players there along with people from the Junior and Executive Committee’s as well as a number of junior parents all wanting to pitch in and make a difference.”

In the last six months Intiga Stadium has hosted close to 130 games and been battered by the worst of Perth’s winter, so it’s hardly surprising the main playing surface came in for some special attention on Saturday. “Our main focus was pitch restoration and large areas of the pitch were re-turfed,” commented Ewen.

The large volunteer turnout meant several additional projects were also undertaken. “Work started on repairing and upgrading the lights, and site works were conducted in preparation for new surfaces around the bench dugouts,” said Ewen, before singling Sue Wright out for special mention. “Sue scrubbed hospital-clean the entire club change room facility single-handed.”

Ewen was thrilled with the attitude of those who did their bit for the club. “The pouring rain and gusty conditions didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, everyone just ploughed on through it,” he said. “The Inglewood spirit is hitting home and people want to a part of our club and the culture change … we have definitely become Inglewood United.”

Although a mountain of work was done on Saturday, it is only the beginning of what has been scheduled for coming months at Inglewood. “Over the summer we plan to reticulate and restore the training pitch as well as have a massive general clean-up of the grounds and facilities,” revealed Ewen. Stay tuned for details of ways you can help your club prepare for 2015.