Local Legends: Langwarrin's selfless stalwart

Gary Zeuschner has been part of the Langwarrin Football Netball Club for his entire life, with his father also playing for ‘Langy’ during his childhood. He began playing footy there at eight years old and has since gone on to play over 300 games, including three seasons as captain and winning three premierships for the club.

His administrative involvement began with him being the Junior Club President of the Langwarrin Netball Club for six years. He started in the role when his daughters were playing juniors, before staying on after they moved to the senior football/netball club. He has since been awarded Life Membership at the junior netball club.

In 2024, Gary is the President of the Langwarrin Football Netball Club, having held that position for seven years now. As President, he is very passionate about both the club and the broader Langwarrin community.

From running footy training, working behind the bar, setting up and packing up club functions, scoring for the netball teams, and selling raffle tickets, Gary is always one of the first people to put up his hand to help out.

He is a firm believer in fostering a strong sense of community within the club and does so by involving the junior teams in senior training sessions, with a sausage sizzle afterwards. He loves involving everyone wherever possible, with junior players, their parents and past players always welcome.

Gary has also been involved in setting up the inaugural Langwarrin women’s football program, set to start in 2025.

His wife Roslyn said that when Gary was awarded Life Membership at the junior netball club, his comment was simply that “I want to be able to give back to the community as I was treated very well when I was playing, and I love Langwarrin.”

“Gary is a humble person and would be very surprised that he is nominated [as a Local Legend] as he doesn’t see what he does as anything special,” Ros told AFL Victoria.

Vice President of the Langwarrin Football Netball Club, Jay Charlton said if he had one word to describe Gary, it would be ‘sefless’.

“The guy is one of a kind. There is not anything he would not do for his club,” Jay said.

AFL Victoria’s Local Legends initiative aims to recognise the local heroes who are the lifeblood of their local clubs and communities.

Whether it be a coach, player, umpire, local business owner, administrator or volunteer, AFL Victoria wants to celebrate the people who are the backbone of community football clubs. Community football clubs simply could not survive without those who are willing to show up each weekend and make sure that the game goes ahead, crowds are well fed, players are supported and success is enjoyed.

Nominees for the AFL Victoria Local Legends initiative can be anyone who is involved in a community football club in any capacity, whether it be paid or unpaid, directly related to the game or a behind-the-scenes super star, these legends are who make community football what it is.

Do you know someone with a great story like Gary? Nominate them now