Local Legends: Livio’s Legacy at St Mary’s | NEWS

Livio Basile has been involved in the St. Mary’s football community for over thirty years and is a true legend of the Northern Football Netball League club.

Livio started volunteering at St Mary’s in 1992 when his son Damien suddenly decided to play under-10 football in the middle of the season. Livio would take him to training on Wednesdays and Damien would be on the pitch by Sunday.

From the outset, Livio threw himself into volunteering for the club and quickly became an indispensable member of the team. From 1992 to 1997, he was the linesman for every match his son played, and soon after he added coaching, canteen volunteer and player advocate at the court to his resume. It is no surprise that Livio was awarded a Life Membership at St Mary’s in 2001.

Over the years, his role within the youth club expanded and he held various management positions, including social director, competition director and in 2004 and 2005 even the position of chairman.

In fact, it was while he was president that one of Livio’s proudest moments at the club occurred, with St Mary’s Junior club being named the largest AFL junior club in Australia with over 600 players.

Another important contribution Livio made to the St Mary’s community was his role in setting up our Senior Club. After two attempts, they finally got an Under 19 team together in 2009 and so the Senior Club was born, providing a pathway for players from St Mary’s Junior Club to continue playing football with their friends at the club they love.

While the club began to see success on the pitch, it was still hard work as the club had no home ground. Livio hosted games and training sessions at 15 different locations until they finally found a permanent home five years later at Whatmough Park in Greensborough.

Nowadays, most people know him mainly from the bar service on Thursdays and Saturdays, but he is also team manager for the under-19 team, advocate for the players at the court and with his 15 years of experience as a trainer he still steps in when necessary.

Livio’s dedication has not gone unnoticed and in 2009 the Senior Club introduced the Livio Basile Award to honour his services. The prestigious award is presented annually to an individual within the club who has generously given a generous amount of time and dedication to the club and who demonstrates a strong passion for the St Marys ethos.

Now, thirty years later, Livio shows no signs of slowing down and is still there every week to support the club.

Tom Chapman, the first chairman of St Mary’s Senior Club, praised Livio for his dedication to the football club.

“Not many people can say they have volunteered at a football club for 33 years. People like Livio are rare and he has set the bar extremely high when it comes to matching his dedication, energy and passion,” he said.

“We are very pleased to have him as part of the St. Mary’s family.”

AFL Victoria’s Local Legends initiative aims to celebrate the local heroes who are the lifeblood of their local clubs and communities.

Whether it’s a coach, player, referee, local business owner, administrator or volunteer, AFL Victoria wants to celebrate the people who are the backbone of community football clubs. Community football clubs simply couldn’t survive without those who are willing to turn up every weekend to ensure the game goes on, the crowd is fed, players are supported and success is enjoyed.

Nominees for the AFL Victoria Local Legends initiative can be anyone who is involved in any way with a local football club, paid or unpaid, directly involved in the sport or a superstar behind the scenes. These legends are the ones who make local football what it is.

Do you know someone with a great story like Livio? Nominate him/her now.