Hurlstone Park Wanderers will be hosting their 10th annual Bruce Drake Memorial Cup this Thursday night at Ewen Park with both the Bill Brackenbury Cup and Grace Martin Trophy teams set to play in the must watch encounters.
Thursday night marks one of the most important dates in Hurlstone Park’s calendar as they look to remember one of their own, Bruce Drake.
Drake was a familiar face around Ewen Park for many years and was a long-standing committee member of the club he loved so much.
He formed a fantastic coaching partnership with current committee member, Billy Fraser, together the pair coached a team all the way from juniors All Age division one.
That team went on to make eight grand finals and won the highly-prized Champion of Champions across a magical 15 years.
“He was one of the guys that was more for fun than winning, he gave everyone a fair go,” Fraser said regarding his friend and coaching ally.
“He was a nice guy, easy going and always very supportive of the kids, constantly encouraging them.”
Hurlstone Park President, Rosalie Viney, is anticipating a healthy turnout this Thursday night to commemorate a man who placed so much of his time and effort into the one club.
“Everyone who had dealings with him, found him really helpful,” Viney said.
She hopes that much of the crowd on Thursday night will be the Hurlstone Park family who are encouraged to stay on after training to watch the matches.
“We’re advertising it to our own players and because we have training on beforehand so we’re hoping that some people will stay on to watch it.”
The BBC Men’s side will take on an All Age Men’s side consisting of some of Drake’s former players with kick off set for 7pm.
The Grace Martin Trophy team will also take to the pitch at the same time as they face off against Peakhurst United.
