The pride and passion for our club has united us for generations.
Those words from Roosters coach Trent Robinson epitomise Stuart Roots and his family’s love for the Club.
Stuart’s love affair with the Club started in 1970s, and now there are eight Members in his family across three generations.
Stuart developed a keen interest in rugby league as a child growing up in central western New South Wales.
His father supported the Balmain Tigers, but Stuart didn't follow in his fathers footsteps and now his family bleeds red, white and blue.
“I started following the team in 1973. I am not sure why as it was a bad year,” Stuart said.
“The next two years, 1974 and 1975, were great years and I have followed them ever since.
“When I lived in Sydney I used to go to the games, but since moving to the west coast I decided to become a Member so that I could continue to show my support.”
Stuart, his wife Judy, their children Brendan and Amy, and grandchildren Ace, Olive and Lily are all Members.
The latest addition to the family, William, was signed up as a Member the day he was born on May 1st.
As one of the Club’s youngest Members, William will soon get to witness and enjoy his first Roosters game with the competition resuming this weekend.
Stuart and Judy live in Karratha, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, and are looking forward to going over to his son Brendan’s house to watch the footy with him and Brendan’s children Lily and William.
Although he will be watching Friday’s game in Marble Bar, Stuart hopes he can watch a game with William for the first time when the Roosters take on the Broncos next Thursday.
His daughter Amy and grandchildren Ace and Olive live on the Central Coast, and due to being on the opposite side of the country to each other, there are very few opportunities for the family to watch the Roosters play together.
One of Stuart’s highlights as a Roosters Member was when the family was able to reunite and watch the games live together.
Even when the Roosters aren't able to get the win, cheering on the Roosters with his children and grandchildren meant the world to him.
“In 2018 we went to our game in Adelaide. As half of our family live in WA and the other half live on the Central Coast, we were able to meet halfway,” Stuart said.
“We all had a great time. I get a lot of joy knowing that my grandchildren enjoy the same team I have been supporting for so long, I can’t put it into words.
“It is just a wonderful feeling. “My first grandson Ace just loves the Roosters, and I am sure William will go on to be the same.
“I signed up Ace on the day he was born. Unfortunately, Memberships were off sale when Olive was born, but I signed her up as soon as they were back on sale for the next season.”
Like Stuart, there are many passionate Roosters Members who ensure the love for the Club continues in their family.
There have been a number of cases where children have been signed up on the day of birth or within just a few days.
The Membership team have also assisted Members signing up a child before they are born, so that another relative can’t get the child to support another NRL club.
While some of our youngest fans were born before the start of the season, there will be some parents sharing their baby's first Roosters game when the Club take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.
The Roosters have 155 children signed on as Baby Members.
Among our Members, 11 were born this year. William is one of three Roosters Members that were born this month.
Stuart can’t wait to watch a game with William, but he’s just excited the NRL is back.
“Sport plays a big part in small towns. I’ve always loved watching rugby league and I am just looking to watch the Rooster play and hopefully get the three-peat,” he said.
For more information on the Club’s Baby and Chookster Memberships – perfect for any young Rooster – visit membership.roosters.com.au
