Bill bears torch
Uminas Bill Vrolyks, 74, has been selected as one of the Olympic torchbearers for his services to New South Wales soccer.
Bill was "absolutely stoked" to be invited to carry the torch on August 28 at Bateau Bay, after his granddaughter Kim had nominated him.
Kim had nominated her grandfather for his outstanding services to soccer as a player, coach and administrator over 52 years, as well as for other community involvement such as working as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 10 years.
Bill is still a soccer coach.
"At 74 years of age, I must be one of the oldest coaches around," he said.
He also was awarded an Order of Australia in 1988 for his services to the game.
Bill played 450 first grade games and has coached Sydney first grade sides and NSW teams.
However, one of his longest legacies is to the development of youth in the game.
Bill was one of the instigators of the Parklea soccer complex in Sydneys western suburbs.
Parklea has five fields and accommodation for 160 young players.
Parklea is now the headquarters of Australian soccer.
"People thought I was crazy at the time and it took 10 years of hard work to get the place up and running," he said.
Asked if he was in training for the 500-metre torch relay, Bill replied that he and his wife ran along Umina Beach every morning.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay will travel over 27,000 kilometres and be carried by 11,000 torchbearers in what is the longest torch relay in Olympic history.
Carl Spears, April 10