Meet the President – Carl Lee
In this interview series, we wanted to showcase some of the people who support our club. Today we talk to Carl Lee.
Carl, what’s your current role with the club and what does it involve?
President, Auskick Co-ordinator, U9 Coach, U13 stand-in Coach and fill in barista. A light workload. I will step down as President at the end of next year, so a goal next year is find a replacement.
How many years have you been involved with the Maroubra Saints and why did you become involved?
This is our 7th year with the Mighty Saints. Why did we become involved? The honest answer is that the Pagewood Soccer Club was so unorganised on its recruitment night that it turned Sam (my eldest) off joining. You know it’s the little things that matter. We thought of the Saints at the time because the year before, I was out running with the boys in the running pram. We pulled up at the Heffron loo mid run (as you do) and James (a former Saints coach) approached with a bacon and egg roll in hand which he offered to me and we sparked up a conversation from there and it sunk in. Probably sums up much about our great Club.
Your business, LM legal, sponsors the club. Can you tell us a little bit about LM legal.
We are delighted to chip in a little to support the Club. We specialise in all legal aspects (contracts, employment, intellectual property, finance) of construction, manufacturing and engineering projects. We also deal with disputes both in that sector and more broadly in the commercial space.
Are there little things we could be doing to become stronger as club?
We always need more volunteers. And take an active role in the leadership of the Club. No amount of time is too little. Also, one of my goals is to get the Club a little more connected with our community at large. Recently some of our Mighty Saints and I, visited the Maroubra Shores Aged Care Facility with flowers. Such a great thing to do.
What’s been your proudest achievement over all the years you have been involved with the Saints?
One of the best things that has happened to me was that I reluctantly put up my hand to coach the then U5 (our younger son Callum was in the team) when Coach Darren (who is still around and a great asset to the Club helping out where he can) was unable to continue due to studying commitments. By no means to I do this on my own (there have been some fantastic parents taking an active involvement in our Might U9) but I am so proud of how the team (both kids and parents) have bonded as a team; work together and respect it each other.
Which footy team do you follow?
As an 8 year old living in Melbourne at the time I will never forget running onto the field post match (you could do that in those days) and shaking Trevor Barker’s hand. Trevor died way too young and was a legendary player in a mediocre St Kilda team. So I followed St Kilda from an early age. But I moved from Melbourne, travelling far and wide and really lost touch with both the game and with St Kilda. I have called Sydney home for a lot of years now, so we are well & truly a Swans family.
How many kids do you have playing with the Saints this season and in which teams?
Callum plays in the Mighty U9. Sam, to is his great credit, has stepped up and helped out the Mighty U13 Div 3 with numbers – Sam should be in U12 but hovers between the two teams and regularly plays two games on a Sunday.
You coach the under 9’s this year. What’s your usual pre game message to your team?
Don’t be a ROCKSTAR! I have been drumming this in for years. What it means is that Rockstars are just in it for their own glory as a goal kicker, as part of the Mighty Under 9 you are at team player and team goals are what count.
And post-game message to the team?
I normally turn to Patrick (one of our U9 players ) who knows more about the game than I ever will, for some post match analysis.
Saints members might have noticed you behind the new coffee machine this year. Can you share with use the secret to making a great coffee?
It’s easy:
- Clean quality machine
- Correct grind for the coffee you have
- The dose/extraction
- The tamping
- The milk
Long Black, Latte, Peroni or Skinny Cap?
It varies depending on the time of day and how sleep deprived I am. Mostly a long black but you might catch with a piccolo from time to time.
Bacon and Egg roll, Sausage roll, Salad roll or Meat Pie?
Egg roll. Hard egg. No sauce.
How’s your long distance running going? Any races coming up?
My next race is the City to Surf with Sam. His goal this year is to qualify for the sub 70 waive for next year. We are currently working through a running program together – some mornings I have to pinch myself that I am out running with my son, I am loving every minute of it.
What’s been the highlight of your own sporting career (so far)?
It was my 52 minute run in the City to Surf about 100-200 years ago.
