LOCAL LIFE
MY OTHER LIFE : Melissa Crane
by Greg Martin
She doesn ’ t have the finishing skills of a Pele , Maradona , Lionel Messi or Sam Kerr , but boy-oh-boy , can Melissa Crane kick a goal when it comes to serving the World Game .
This remarkable woman ’ s efforts in promoting soccer have been rewarded – not that she seeks accolades through her deeds – by being bestowed with two coveted awards in 2024 .
Earlier in the year , at the Hawkesbury Australia Day Awards , Melissa was named Sportsperson of the Year , and then in October , she was awarded a coveted State Award by Football NSW for her unstinting efforts in fostering the game in the Nepean Football Association . The citation read : “ A dedicated member of Pitt Town FC since 2015 , Melissa has held numerous key positions within her club , including President , Secretary , Registrar , Treasurer and Age Coordinator .
“ In addition to her administrative roles , she has also served as a player , coach and manager , executing each of these roles with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm .
“ Melissa has been instrumental in driving significant changes within Pitt Town FC , propelling the club to achieve a 2-star Club Changer program status .
“ Her advocacy for the program is exemplary , and she has generously offered her expertise to assist other clubs in achieving Pitt town FC ’ s first star .”
The Club Changer star ratings recognise clubs for building welcoming and inclusive cultures and to educate them on positive environments for players , coaches , volunteers and officials .
That 2-star Club Change rating earned Pitt Town FC the honour of eight of their young girl players invited to participate in the 2023 Women ’ s World Cup .
“ In Australia ’ s semi-final against England , they were members of a guard of honour as the teams went onto the pitch ,” said a still very proud Melissa .
Melissa explained that she , as did many parents , became involved in Pitt Town FC through her children , Cooper , now 18 and in the third year as an apprentice electrician , and 16-year-old Emma , who has just commenced Year 12 at Bede Polding College .
“ Cooper joined the club as a six-yearold and played for several seasons while Emma down the years has provided a helping hand on match days serving in the canteen ,” Melissa said .
“ In 2013 I expanded my involvement from just being a spectator , as it was obvious that hands on deck were needed to operate all aspects of running a canteen and other aspects of club management .
“ So down the years since I ’ ve been canteen manager , player registrar , treasurer and since last winter , president .” Pitt Town FC is the second largest club in the Nepean Football Association , boasting 62 teams and 612 players – boys and girls , men and women from under 4 years to those competing in over 35 years competitions .
And at start of the 2024 season , Melissa thought that in increasing her fitness levels it would be a good idea to play soccer .
“ We had a ladies team up to 2022 before it folded but I was able to roundup 16 ladies and we competed in the Nepean Association ’ s Level 5 Ladies competition and would you believe it , we finished runners-up ,” said an obviously proud Melissa .
“ I played in any position allotted me by our coach , Samantha Norman , and I love it !”
And she also loved it at the presentation evening at which she was the recipient of the Most Consistent Player trophy !
Since moving into Pitt Town 23 years ago , Melissa has been a proud member of Pitt Town and District Sports Club , joining the board in 2022 as a director .
Her business acumen – developed in various stages since she entered the workforce , has been a boon both to the sports club and Pitt Town FC .
Since leaving Parramatta ’ s Macarthur Girls High during Year 10 – she says she “ hated school ”, Melissa ’ s education in business was honed in various occupations and in completing several training courses .
Down the years since working as an office assistant at Barclays Bank in the city , Melissa has earned a quid as a medical receptionist ( completing a diagnostic course ), an office and practice manager in
That ’ s our gal ! An obviously proud as punch Melissa Crane with her Football NSW award . And just as joyed in Melissa ’ s success is Linda Cerone , CEO of Nepean Football Association .
aged care , business manager , and in more recent years as Health , Safety , Quality and Environment ( HSQE ) manager .
She has recently commenced her own HSQE business M & Co Consulting .
I asked Melissa did she have time for anything else in her life . “ Yes , my garden ,” she quipped . “ It is my happy place and I ’ m putting to good use all that information I learned in completing a horticultural certificate I did in my early 20s .
“ I ’ ve always had a passion for gardening , and I just love getting out tending the vegie patch and flower beds where I grow native grevilleas which attract plenty of birds , butterflies and bees .”
You only live in this place once , and lemme tell you , Melissa Crane is making the very most of it !
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ISSUE 176 // JANUARY 2025 9