Ang Kalatas July 2016 Issue | Page 24

24 SPORTS THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 10 | JULY 2016 Bevan Calvert ‘Player of the Season’ FIL-AUSSIE handball sensation Bevan Calvert had an exciting close of the 2015-16 German handball competition. He was voted as "Player of the Season", by the Mecklenburg Schwerin handball club fans. When asked to comment about this accolade, Calvert said: "I was honoured to be named Player of the Season. But it's only the result of my team bringing out the best in me. Without them, it wouldn't be possible". This was the second time that the Schwerin fans had expressed their strong appreciation of Calvert's handball skills and his presence in the club. They voted him the "Player of the Month" on his first month of playing for the club. The fans were glad to hear that Calvert re-signed a contract with Schwerin for the 2016-17 season. The close of the competition season brought joy to Calvert with the fans acknowledgement of his passion for the sport but it also posed some difficult decision-making for him. He was faced with the desire to go back to Kiel where his long-time girlfriend resides and to secure better job in addition to playing handball; however, this would mean leaving Schwerin and joining a club in the lower division. The fans expressed their sadness on the social media when it was announced he was leaving the club. Calvert commented: "It was a rocky period deciding whether to stay or leave. I am trying to set myself up for what happens after handball and that was the major factor in staying." The news of him staying drew happy comments posted on social media. The last competition season was not all rosy for Calvert. t. In late September he suffered ered an injury which side lined ined him for ten of the thirty hirty games. However, he still managed to score a total of 87 goals, 35 of which ich were from 7 metre shots.. Surprisingly, his average goals of 4.35 in the 2015-16 competition etition season was even higher igher than the previous competition season's n's 3.50 goals. Mecklenburg Schwerin club and d the fans have another her reason for a celebration, ration, Analysis of spectators' ators' attendance showed d that Schwerin had the highest attendance of 64 clubs lubs in the Men's 3rd Division, n, with a total attendance of 19,817 817 and an average of 1,321. It also drew w the highest spectator attendance of 3,387 87 in the local derby game. Calvert celebrated ated this good news. "Having the highest ighest number of spectators in thee 3rd is a homage to our awesome esome fans who stuck with us through tough times. I'm proud to be fighting for them,"" he said. Renews contract with Schwerin Club Bevan Calvert going for a goal.Photo Credit: Dietmar Albrecht.