The spirit of Steve Sumner will live on after the re-establishment of an organisation he helped set up to support the development of football.

Sumner, who sadly passed away in February of last year after a long and brave battle with prostate cancer, was a key figure in the formation of The Centre Circle back in 1999.

Other former All Whites such as Bobby Almond and Alan Stroud were also part of The Centre Circle, the aim of which was to raise and provide funds for junior football in the Canterbury region.

In 2004, the organisation went into a hiatus for a number of reasons but one of Sumner’s last wishes was to see it rise again and play a key role in Canterbury football once more.

“In 2015, our good friend and team mate Steve Sumner was diagnosed with cancer and, for the next 18 months, he fought like the warrior he was to try and beat it,” explains Almond, who joined Sumner in the legendary 1982 All Whites squad that competed at the FIFA World Cup in Spain.

“During that time and in one of the many communications we shared, he asked me if I would start up The Centre Circle again and, in his words, ‘make it great again’.”

As a result of Sumner’s request, a few of the original members got together to discuss reforming the organisation and that process is now complete with an application to become a new incorporated society having been approved.

The newly re-formed Centre Circle has the support of Mainland Football with CEO Julian Bowden fully endorsing the initiative.

“Julian was very supportive and sees the Centre Circle as providing assistance to a vital part of the football community, without compromising the strategic plan and services of Mainland Football,” Almond says.

The aims of the new Centre Circle mirror those of its previous version with the funds being raised through social and corporate events.

“In essence, we want to help our young footballing girls and boys of Canterbury,” Almond says.

“The reformation of the Centre Circle is particularly poignant in that Steve was our chairperson and driving force behind the original group. We are humbled and privileged that we could make his wish come true.”

The following members form the new board of The Centre Circle:

Bobby Almond (Chairperson), John Brown (Secretary Treasurer), Graeme Archer, Peter Phelan, Alan Stroud, Laurie Blyth, Norm Withers, Kevin Nash

For more information or to donate please contact Bobby Almond at bobby@kirkroberts.co.nz

Article added: Wednesday 13 June 2018