ROSEALEA Perkins considers herself to be a lifelong fan of the Jeparit-Rainbow Football Netball Club.
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Her roots with the club go back to her netball playing days at Rainbow, long before the two clubs merged.
“I moved to Rainbow from Brim when I was married 50 years ago and have followed Rainbow every year since,” she said.
“My husband Colin is a Rainbow man and played football with Jeparit but then he moved to Rainbow.”
Perkins played in Rainbow’s last ever A Grade netball premiership in 1968.
“I vaguely remember that premiership but the game was totally different to nowadays,” she said.
“It was much more flow on. That was a great premiership but surely we will get another one soon, we live and hope.
“We do a great job here with all the football and netball teams.”
Perkins also tried her hand at coaching.
“I coached some little tackers at some point,” she said.
“They didn’t have as quite as many grades back then as they do now but I loved joining in with all the young ones.”
Perkins’ son Jason runs the water for the Storm’s senior football team. She has also had children and grandchildren play for the club.
“Jason has run the water for the boys since he left school around 18 and that’s great to see,” she said.
“All the boys love seeing him out there. My daughters Jacinta and Joanne played netball here too and my grandson Nathan plays for the seniors.
“My oldest grandson Sam plays for Great Western.”
Perkins said it was a juggling act trying to see all the family connections in action.
“I love getting around to see them all play,” she said.
“We try and work it that when there’s a bye at Jeparit-Rainbow we go to one of the others.”
Since the merger with Jeparit, Perkins has continued to support the club.
“I sit here and barrack for the boys then go over and see the girls and mingle with the supporters – I get to the ground early to try and get a parking bay at the fence,” she said.
“It was lovely to see the two clubs come together to form one. They are both great communities and both clubs were struggling with players and all that, so it was very good for everyone.
“The only thing the merger and then switching leagues changed was the mileage and I still go to the away games when I can.”
Perkins said coming to the football and netball each weekend provided a chance for all the supporters to come together.
“The function room at Rainbow is fantastic and I help out with the ladies and doing the afternoon teas but also just following all the children around,” she said.
