Very few things connect people to one another and to their surrounding community better than sport.
Whether its soccer, hockey, athletics, baseball or basketball, theres no shortage of opportunities among the 50 different sporting organizations in Richmond to meet new friends on the field or fellow parents on the sidelines.
Wearing a badge that says Richmond Soccer, Richmond Blues or Richmond Chuckers, also rapidly breeds a sense of belonging to the city youre living in.
The concept of community sport bringing people together and lending them a sense of worth is not lost on the citys sports council chair, Jim Lamond.
This is especially so, given that many people would struggle to pick their next-door neighbours out of a crowd.
You can go down to the soccer park on any weekend and you will see hundreds of parents, said Lamond, whos been involved in Richmonds sporting community for more than 40 years.
Theyre watching their children play, of course. But theyre also talking to other adults, meeting people, some they know, some theyve never met.
People will forge friendships and connections that will build up and usually last a lifetime.
I dont think they would make half the connections they would make if it wasnt for community sport.
And when youre wearing the badge of your community to compete against other cities, the emotional investment and belonging to something is multiplied.
Weve produced some wonderful athletes over the years, said Lamond.
And I think people here are very proud of that and, when they play, theres a real sense of being part of something special in this city.
It certainly helps to draw you into the community you live in when youre part of a team in Richmond.
Those connections and relationships also help foster the volunteering spirit that has people happily giving up much of their free time for their chosen sport.
I see people giving so much back to their community sport, because theyve received so much pleasure as a child, added Lamond.
And I think if they feel theyve invested that time, then it only makes the connection to the community even stronger.
