Geoff Coleman was one of those wonderful people who gave back to the organisations he chose to be part of, which is perhaps why he is remembered so fondly.
Mr Coleman wasn’t just involved in sport for his own purpose, rather he tried to improve the sporting lives of those around him.
Mr Coleman, an honorary life member of the Port Hacking Rugby Club (now Southern Districts) and the Sutherland District Cricket Club, passed away after a fall at home earlier this month.
Mr Coleman enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Port Hacking, firstly as a player from 1968 to 1972.
He made 41 first grade appearances and 83 games for the club overall, including a reserve grade premiership win in 1969 when Port Hacking won all four grades in the Sydney second division.
Mr Coleman then become an administrator, becoming Port Hacking’s auditor and financial manager as he helped drive the club toward a more professional approach.
This included securing the funding for the construction of the licensed clubhouse overlooking Forshaw Rugby Park at Sylvania Waters and the development of the tennis courts at the southern end of the club’s car park.
But it wasn’t just rugby union where Mr Coleman made his mark, with cricket also sharing his sporting life.
A 215 match veteran for Sutherland, Mr Coleman scored 5,372 runs including six centuries and took 233 wickets in a career that enjoyed three distinct eras.
He played in two fourth grade premiership teams, separated by 19 years, in 1967-68 and 1985-86.
Mr Coleman also had the unique distinction of having played at least one match in all four of Sutherland’s club championship seasons in 1967-68, 1986-87, 1997-98 and 2001-02.
He became club president in 1994 and always made himself available to fill any last minute withdrawals from fifth grade.
Mr Coleman was also at the forefront of developments at Sutherland, including the construction of the Lynnvale dressing rooms complex on the southern hill overlooking Caringbah Oval, as well as the subsequent construction of the scoreboard, clubhouse improvements and pathway from Condon Street to Breen Park.
Then there was the relocation of the turf practice pitches and extension to four enclosed nets with 10 turf practice pitches, the construction of the picket fence around Caringbah Oval and Tonkin Oval facilities upgrade.
Mr Coleman was also honoured as the club’s patron in the 2002-03 season and continued to be a strong supporter of the club behind the scenes.
A loving family man, he leaves behind wife Diana, daughters Catriona and Alison, son Scott and his grandchildren.