After 50 years of training three generations of footballers, Busselton Magpies Football Club trainer Arthur Hutchins has been inducted into the South West Football League’s Hall of Fame.
Mr Hutchins started with the club in 1968 and has contributed to more than 2400 games of football in the SWFL (that’s not counting his time on the Wesfarmers side or pre-season games).
“Now we have the women’s side, I helped train them during their first year in the SWFL,” he said.
"It has been a long time.”
Mr Hutchins said the best part about being involved in the club was the comradeship he formed with other members and seeing children come up the ranks, some whose dads he used to train.
“I train the colts and under 17’s, I look at some of the players and think, gee I know your dad.”
It is not the first time Mr Hutchins has been recognised for his contribution to the club, he was also awarded a life membership along with his former teammate Richard Gray.
“Receiving a life membership was probably one of the greatest things, and being recognised for my 1000th and 2000th games,” he said.
“My wife Edith was the first lady to become a life member and they also named the change rooms after me.”
The dynamic duo have played many roles at the club from working in the kitchen to volunteering at events such as school leavers and Southbound, which helped support the club.
“I have volunteered for everything that has gone on at the club it is just part of the footy scene, it is a volunteer thing, with my wife as well, she has really been the backbone,” he said.
When he first joined the club, it was located at Churchill Park in Busselton before they moved to Sir Stewart Bovell Oval.
Mr Hutchins became head trainer at the club in 1972 after his dad retired from the job, the only year he had off was in 1991 when he suffered a heart attack.
“The changes that have gone on since then have seen the game get quicker and now you need more medical knowledge about the body, bones and muscles,” he said.
“Now we have a physio who is onboard, he does all the home games and comes along on Monday nights to examine all the injuries to work out which way we will go, it really helps.”
Mr Hutchins said back in the days when he played football people were less likely to sustain serious injuries which he put down to people having worked harder.
“You had more chores to do at home in those days, then you would have to ride your pushbike to footy training. You were a lot fitter and stronger than what people are now,” he said.
Mr Hutchins said it was great to be recognised for his contribution to the club and was the second person from Busselton to be inducted into the SWFL Hall of Fame.
The first member from the Magpies to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was Mike Adams, who presented the honour to Mr Hutchins at the 2018 Hayward Medal event.