University Blacks Future Fund

Andrew “Andy” Smith lived and breathed community sport and had the Uni Blacks running through his veins.

A selfless club servant, Andy worked tirelessly behind the scenes and devoted more than 60 years of his life to the club he loved most.

Regarded as the “heart and soul” of the Club, Andy was loved and well respected by generations of Uni Blacks players, a tight-knit community he considered his family.

Although Andy passed away last year, he ensured his loyal service and passion for the University Blacks would continue for generations to come, through leaving a generous gift in his Will to the club he shared such a deep connection.

Andy’s bequest, a first for the Blacks, is being used to establish the Melbourne University Blacks Football Club Sub-Fund of the Melbourne University Sport Foundation. The Sport Foundation is a Trust established at the University to provide opportunities to support University sport and our sporting clubs.

Whilst officially the University Blacks Sub-Fund of the Melbourne University Sport Foundation, it will be referred to as the University Blacks Future Fund as, ultimately it is about supporting the long-term sustainability of the Uni Blacks.

“His generosity allowed us to start this, and Uni Blacks footy can benefit from it for years to come,” said the University Blacks Football Club President Patrick Barry.

The money will be invested with the University's long-term investment portfolio.

“It’s just excellent. We didn’t want to spend the money down but preserve it.' said Patrick.

“The annual income made available from the University Blacks Future Fund will support the Blacks and allow future generations to have access to great coaches, a community that will support them, access to trainers and support staff and physios that will allow great young players to be attracted to the club.

“All of these things can continue. That is Andy’s legacy.”

With the cost of running a club such as the University Blacks exceeding $200,000 annually, a future-focussed sub-fund secures the Club's longevity, taking the pressure off the committee and allowing them to focus on creating a more solid foundation.

“We want players to come out of the club as better people who go into society and become leaders and a success in whatever area they embark on,” said Patrick.

Many would remember Andy Smith as a character who always had a smile on his face but one who was never scared of speaking his mind. If you didn’t play well, he’d let you know.

A staunch supporter of the University Blacks, Andy attended all the games, even when his health was failing him and he had to stop driving.

Far more than an official who kept time, managed teams, or field umpired, Andy knew all the players and officials, young and old, and was a welcome participant in the Blacks' social life. The Blacks’ annual award for the best clubman was changed to the A.M. Smith Perpetual Trophy for Andy’s honorary contribution to the life, times and prosperity of the Blacks.

But it was time to hang up the boots and stopwatch for Andy after 60 years, when he let one quarter play on for 39 minutes.

“I’ll never forget that quarter, the opposition scored a goal as the siren was never blown,” recalled Patrick.”

Everyone knew Andy was generous to the club without a fault. You couldn’t pull him away from it. And he would defend the club with his last breath.

What most didn’t know about Andy, and that he never revealed, was the $100,000 legacy he left to the club in his Will and the difference it could make to sustaining its long-term future success.

Establishing a fund for the future of the Uni Blacks was something the Club had spoken about over a long time. The impetus for doing so has been Andy’s generous bequest.

“We didn’t know he left this gift in his Will, so it came as a complete surprise and shock to us that he decided to do this,” said Patrick. "We are overwhelmed with emotion, that here’s a person who dedicated so much time to the club, over 60 years, to then bequeath to Uni Blacks footy is quite humbling for me as a President to be involved with the calibre of such people like Andy supporting it.

“What he has done is show his passion and his belief in the Club. And allowed us to move forward through the establishment of the University Blacks Future Fund.

“Andy paved the way, but for us it’s only a starting point.”

There are two ways to support Australian Rules Football at the University Blacks Football Club:

Support the immediate needs of Australian Rules Football at the University Blacks: You can make a gift in support of the immediate needs of student participation through a gift here:

Support the long-term sustainability of the Melbourne University Blacks Football Club: You can make a gift to support the long-term sustainability of the Melbourne University Blacks Football Club through a gift to the Sub-Fund of the Melbourne University Sport Foundation, the University Blacks Future Fund.

For more information on how you could support the University Blacks Future Fund through a donation or a gift in your Will please contact:

Patrick Barry, President University Blacks FC, on pbarry@pwg.com.au or 0404 008 475

Chris Harvey, Director of Development, University of Melbourne on ch@unimelb.edu.au or 0430 465 533