Kevin Matherson VAFA Certificate Of Merit Award
Congratulations to our long serving committeeman, past president and former best and fairest Kevin Matherson on his Certificate Of Merit award presented at the VAFA season launch on Wednesday April 11.
Kevin's award comes after 27 years continuous service to Prahran Assumption Football Club. Kevin's involvement with the club started with the then State Bank in 1985 after coming down from Lake Bolac in the Western District to play for Collingwood Under 19’s. Kevin played 99 games including Captain and Best and Fairest in 1986 and Premierships in 1987 and 1990. Kevin was club captain from 1986-1990 and retired from playing in 1991. Kevin was bought out of retirement at the age of 40 to fill in for the reserves in 1999 but age and the body made him realise that off field was his preferred position.
A life member of the club, Kevin was named best clubman in 1995, 1996 and 1998.
When State Bank was re-named Southbank in the early 1990s Kevin remained involved as a committeeman. He has served on the committee since 1989 in various roles which have included Social Director, Vice President, Football Manager, Football Director, and Sponsorship Manager and culminated with Kevin being President of Prahran Football club from 2005-2010.
In recent years Kevin has been Football Manager, at times also officiating as goal umpire and in 2012 takes the role as Football Director. Kevin Matherson has been a constant presence at the club through three mergers and name changes and his passion for the club has never faltered.
Kevin was also a key driver in getting the Prahran Under 19’s off the ground and we competed for three years until lack of numbers forced us to withdraw the team. The Under 19’s produced six senior premiership players in 2011 so his passion has benefited the club greatly and will continue for many years.
Kevin Matherson has always put the club first and has also looked after teammates, recently Kevin was one of the main drivers to raise funds for a former teammate that was suffering from prostate cancer. The club with its many past players raised over $7500 for the former player to help with medical bills. This is also a reason he is held in such high regard by our club.
Kevin has also contributed financially over the years with his company being one of our major sponsors for many years. The committee feel that without Kevin Matherson’s involvement since 1985 PAFC would probably not exist as his passion, belief and tireless contribution has been a driving force to us being around today as the newly created Prahran Assumption Football club.
His legacy at the club will be evident for many years to come as his sons Jack and Tom are playing for the club and his son Jack was a key member of the 2011 Premiership side. He also has two younger sons playing junior football at the moment but they both have Kevin’s love for the game. No doubt one day we will see all four Matherson boys playing for our club.