Nathan (GRANDPA) Balym Hits 300

PROSPECT Knights' stalwart Nathan Balym's first game of soccer for the club was as a nine- year-old goalkeeper for Launceston Croatia's under-18 side.

On Saturday, the defender will play his 300th game for the club.

"It used to be on a Sunday and we had a mixture of football players, hockey players and soccer players and I'd rock up and they'd be short and Brian Davidson, who was coach, would say to go in goals because there was no age limit back then," 

Balym recalled.

"I went no good, I was just a fill-in."

Balym has found his career come full circle, lining up in goals once again for Knights in the Northern Premier League after playing several years in defence.

"I've got a lot slower as I'm aware," the 38-year-old said. 

"I was only planning to play reserves this year but [coach] Ray [Heald] needed a goalkeeper and I've kept in the past so I said to Ray, 'I haven't done it for a while but if you're looking for someone, I will do it'."

Balym started playing soccer at Launceston Croatia, which merged with Western Suburbs to become Western Knights and later Prospect Knights.

The 300 games is a figure that would be higher too had he not played 100 games for Launceston United and spent five years away in the army.

"Us older people have to stick around for this club to keep going," he said. "Hopefully some of these young kids can look up to that and think one day they can reach 300 as well."

Balym said the highlight was winning the premiership in 2011, the first for the club in its then 51-year history, but he was also very lucky to have played with his son Jye and stepson Mitchell Chugg.

Knights' president Marco La Palombara said Balym's contribution to the club was enormous.

"He's one of the rocks of the club, a stalwart of the club, and he's respected by all the players we have from the juniors, through the reserves and to the seniors," La Palombara said.                                 

"He's been a coach, a committee member, a players' representative, he's worked for this club since he was a young man in every position, so he's a very valued member and we're proud to have him play his 300th game here."

Also having played along side the fossil for a year i would also like to congratulate Grandpa on the milestone!!!