Deniliquin's Ricky Gittens continues to impress for his side.Ricky Gittens of Deniliquin during the MFNL football match between Moama and Deniliquin. Photo by Cath Grey.
Photo by
Cath Grey
With a premiership in his debut year, many individual accolades and a respected reputation, it will come as no surprise that Ricky Gittens will be celebrated like a king tomorrow.
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His 200th senior game fittingly comes on the King’s Birthday weekend, when the Rams take on Finley at Hardinge St Oval.
The club will go all out to mark the milestone for the reigning best and fairest winner.
“I’m so excited for my 200th senior game, I can’t wait,” Ricky said.
“I have enjoyed being at the club and around the people; you meet different people as they come and go.”
In a celebration of the Gittens family’s legacy with the Rams, Ricky will join his father Rob in the list of life members after this weekend.
The honour is bestowed on all 200 gamers.
“I’m really proud of myself for the achievement,” he said.
Rob was made a life member for his years of service to the club - a role he loved and thrived at before his passing.
The senior footballers and netballers will come together on Saturday at 2pm in honour of Rob Gittens and his family, wearing football jumpers and netball bibs designed specifically in Rob’s honour.
“I feel really honoured for our family,” Ricky said.
“I can’t wait to see the boys and girls in them. It’s going to be a really good day.”
Ricky is described as a strong in and under midfielder who consistently gets the job done.
He has the ability to sneak forward and kick a few goals whilst “resting”.
He is one of the most talented and respected players to be playing in the Murray League.
The ultimate team man, he is described as “highly skilled, gutsy and incredibly loyal”.
Ricky has enjoyed plenty of personal success over his many years at the club.
He is a three time club B&F winner, was the Murray Football League Rookie of the Year in 2011, and in his debut year of senior football played an integral part in the 2011 premiership side.
He has also participated in an indigenous football carnival every year since turning 18.
“The Rumba (Rumbalara) boys actually made me aware of it,” he said.
“It’s a Victorian based competition, so unless they told me I would not have known.”
The competition is played in a round robin format and Ricky said the winners get “bragging rights”.
“I think it’s fantastic you get to all catch up and have a bit of fun.”
Ricky joins illustrious company as a 200 senior gamer, but he is the first indigenous player to reach the milestone for the Rams Football Club.
“I’m super proud of that.
“My heritage is important and it’s a big honour.”
Other 200 senior game Rams are Colin Thompson, Greg Danckert, Phil Sefton, Johnny Fisicaro, Billy Bourke, Ron Chivers, Michael Williams and Wayne Pitts.
Rams life member Rob Gittens (middle) with club president Clint Free (left) and vice president Wayne Pitts (right) on his induction in 2018.
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