The Courier |
ONE club, one family, four generations.
For the best part of 80 years, the Schiltz family has established itself as a Redan institution.Now the link between the family and the Lions is as strong as ever.
It all started with Bill Schiltz, who started playing with the club more than 70 years ago.
From there, the tradition has only grown stronger.
His son, Norm, won three under-18 premierships in the 1950s and played five years of senior footy before moving to Bradvale in what was then the Western Plains Football League.
Then came Andrew; the current Lions under-18.5s coach and runner for the senior team.
And finally Ben, 19, who is playing his first year in the seniors this year.
It’s a tradition that cannot be broken.
Each Schiltz has had stints at other clubs, but it is the lure of the maroon and gold that ultimately proves unshakeable.
Norm played for 15 years at Bradvale, Andrew played, coached and was even president at Bungaree in the 1990s and Ben actually started his junior days at East Point.
But still it all comes back to Redan.
“It’s great being part of a footy club that you’ve grown up with and your family has grown up with,” Andrew
said.
“It gives us all something to look forward to every week, something we can all be a part of.”
The family tradition does not stop at just playing football. There is a bit of talent in the blood to go with it.
Norm won a league best and fairest in the former WPFL, Andrew won under-14 and under-16 BFL league best and fairest and Ben won the under-18.5 BFL best and fairest last year.
Ben moved to the club from East Point, where he played until he finished under-16s, once the family bonds became too strong to resist.
“It’s pretty much the only reason I came here, because the whole family have always played here. I’m glad I did though,” he said.
“It’s good on a Saturday with Pa watching on and Dad running around. You don’t really think about it too much when it’s happening but it’s still good.”
Norm probably sums it up best, however, when he speaks of watching his own flesh and blood on the field.
“I’m proud as punch. It’s like being re-born,” he said.
Redan hosts Bacchus Marsh at City Oval tomorrow, where the Lions will go in as hot favourites.
Bacchus Marsh coach Doug Hawkins has called on his side to stick with Redan early, aware that his young team has been lacking at the start of games.
Ben Shiltz will play reserves this week as Dean Chester also drops out of the Redan side through injury, while full forward Adam Skrobalak will miss for the Cobras.
Last time they met: Redan 19.16 (130) d Bacchus Marsh 3.5 (23), round 8, 2012.
PREDICTION: Redan too strong, especially at home.
