25/07/2026
Message from Richard
A few recollections from a 9-year-old boy, playing under 12 Soccer in 1958.
Just imagine there was no junior Football or as we Aussies call it Soccer.
Well in January 1958, a man knocked on my parent's door in Wattle Street West Ryde and asked if they had any sons. His name is Lester Waud and the rest, as they say, is history. What a great man who we got to love respect and admire, what a dreamer and a doer.
I had the privilege to be close to Mr Waud as we called him, He came to all our games managed coached, doctored our injuries and delivered the magic when we needed it. "Your just winded Rich" he'd say and pour on some of that "holy" water, and you'd be up and running in no time. I think it was his calming voice and gentle tone I remember most.
Pure kindness when you needed it. Funny how you remember these moments all these years later – and other things like the telephone number of Mr. Waud back then "WL1720" as you had to ring and find out where the game on Saturday would be and if you needed a lift.
An amazing time of my life, from running away to Meadowbank Park from home just to play by the tip and scrounge for pushbike parts in a swamp – an adventure, but mums today would freak out if they knew the dangerous stuff we got up to.
Then came West Ryde Rovers – organized, fun, competitive, and parents knew where their children were – at least while they played for Rovers.
Our family knew the Waud family of Mavis (Mum) though I always called her Mrs. Waud, Lester Jnr, Alan, Doug Barry and Karen as much as we knew all the rest of our teammates and their families. Pretty soon we all had a community – starting from that knock at the door by Lester Waud. He later appointed father, Bill as Patron of the club.
After 70 years the West Ryde Rovers community is thriving as is the Waud family name still synonymous with the youngest of the original family The president of our Club Karen Waud OAM – or as I still call her "Waudie".
Tens of thousands of West Ryde Rovers have played various sports since 1956 and it is a tribute not only to the ever-present Waud family but to all the volunteers, mums n dads who donate the most precious part of their lives – their time.
Congratulations on reaching 70 years – I am sorry not to be able to attend the celebrations, so I will try and make the 75th - all I need is some more of Mr. Waud's Magic to get me going.
Richard Wakeling - Not Nine anymore! But still love West Ryde Rovers.
