The following individuals were awarded Life Membership by the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL) in 2024 and 2025.
All have been formally recognised as Football Victoria Life Members at the 2025 FV Annual General Meeting in May 2026.
Darryl Brown (2024)
A Life Member of the Echuca Moama Border Soccer Association, Darryl has exhibited over three decades of outstanding commitment to football in the region, serving as a BASL Committee member for 15 years where he fulfilled the Executive roles of Secretary and Treasurer for more than half that period. A highly respected coach with the BASL representative program he was named the All-Stars Women’s Coach of the Year in 2017.
Ron Cole (2024)
Ron’s prolific playing career (over 300 matches) is only matched by over forty years of service to Kyneton District SC, where he has been recognised as a Life Member. A referee for over twenty years, Ron was a committee member with BASL for over 15 years, serving as Vice President for seven years. Ron was previously recognised by Football Victoria as Volunteer of the Year in 2023.
Andrew Mertens (2024)
An active and highly valued member of the BASL Board for well over a decade, Andrew held the Executive positions of President and League Secretary for five years and was a pivotal contributor to the Strategic Working Group and GDT & ROC Working Group. He also served as Team Manager to the BASL representative program for many years.
Ian Schepers (2025)
A player with distinction at FC Eaglehawk, Ian’s enduring passion for refereeing and upholding the laws of the game has been evident through his continued involvement in various officiating roles, most notably as Referee Appointment Officer and BASL Tribunal Panel Member, exhibiting a lifelong commitment to the betterment of the game in the Bendigo region.
Note: BASL Life Members prior to 2016 were previously recognised by Football Victoria in 2016. More information on these individuals is slowly being uncovered and can be found in the Life Members archive.