Fremantle half-back Lee Spurr has been praised by Fremantle Dockers Foundation charity StarKick for his leadership by handing down his passion for community work to younger players coming through the club. 

Spurr’s involvement with charities stems back to his first year at Fremantle in 2012, working with the Red Cross soup kitchen, which he thanks close friends Zac Dawson and former Freo Docker Michael Barlow for.

“Mick Barlow and Zac Dawson were really keen to do it so they came up to me and wanted to get me involved,” Spurr said.

“You hear stories about people that were quite successful and something traumatic happens to them, either with their family or personally and that sort of spirals down hill.

“To be able to share some bread and soup, to speak to them and hear what they have to say, you understand the advantage you have in life playing football, which I think is really impactful.”

Spurr is now involved in supporting the StarKick All Abilities Football team who are friends of the Fremantle Dockers Foundation.

StarKick is a volunteer-run program that provides an opportunity for children with special needs and all ability levels to play AFL football in their community.

“To see how happy the kids were, it made me reflect on my own daughter and just how grateful I am that she’s healthy and well,” Spurr said.

“I hope that she continues but also, if something does happen to her it’s great to know there’s players who will come out and support them.

“And having the other guys come out today; Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce and Kelly Clinch from the women’s team was great to see.“

StarKick Coordinator Rob Geersen said Spurr’s passion and contribution to charities like StarKick encourage younger players at the club to follow his lead and give back.

“We’re really lucky to have Lee and all the players come out but Lee, he leads the way,” Geersen said.

“It’s obviously why he’s a leader at the club and he’s leading in the community.

“He just interacts fantastically with the kids at a level that they look up to and really enjoy, so that sort of leadership is going to go to the next generation of Fremantle players.”

Spurr considers himself lucky to be able to help others, acknowledging that he is in a privileged position.

“The reach that you have to promote something that is such a big cause through a football platform is really powerful to see,” Spurr said.

“It makes you reflect and think how lucky you are to be in football, to be in the position you are and reflect on how privileged the position is.

“Coming down here, we’ve got all the special needs kids that might not get the chance to play any other level but they’ve got together and made a competition.

“They’re really happy to see us and really happy to get involved in footy.”