The local soccer community were saddened last week following the passing away of Ron Moss, one of the game’s stalwarts in the South West. Ron took on multiple roles both on and off the field for over 40 years after arriving in region from his home city of Cardiff. The fact that 3,500 soccer players take the field locally each weekend during winter is a tribute to the pioneering efforts of Ron. Whilst he was a loyal supporter of the Bunbury Dynamos club, there is no doubt his real passion was the growth and development of soccer as a whole.
Ron’s achievements were recognised by his induction into the South West and Western Australian Soccer Halls of Fame. He was the first life member of the South West Soccer Association (SWSA) after holding the offices of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar. He was also known for recording history of the game, compiled from his own experiences and memories, also memorabilia, newspapers and books collected over many years, this culminated in the publishing of the book ‘History of South West Soccer 1898 to 2006’.
His commitment to furthering the game in the South West involve a number of innovative approaches including guest appearances of England Internationals Bobby Moore and Alan Ball, establishing television and radio shows focussing on local soccer and leading in the development of the Hay Park South complex. Interesting enough Ron also started a team out of the Bunbury Regional Prison which competed in local fixtures for a number of years. Though based in Bunbury, Ron had a long-standing interest in the history of soccer in Busselton. Indeed he was part of a group in the 1970’s that looked at building the region’s soccer headquarters on land adjacent the Restawhile Motel on the Bussell Highway.
Ron made many friends among the soccer fraternity and was widely respected for his knowledge, vision and with a genuine interest in all of those that he encountered. Even last season at the age of 83 years, Ron was a regular spectator at SWSA games with his trusty camera in hand, still contributing to the local soccer scene.
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