The McCallum family feature on the cover of the Flame's June 2024 print edition. To read the magazine layout, click here or enjoy the text version below…
The 2024 footy season is in full swing. And the Helensburgh Tigers have once again rallied a town-strong army of friends and family to play, support and raise funds for the club.
The Tigers have a long and proud tradition as a grassroots, family-focused club. It’s what keeps generations of local families returning each season.
Case in point: Burgh Tiger legend Steve “Tower” McCallum, his wife Mel and their three children: Cooper (9), Jack (8) and Marley (5).
You’ll know Steve from his many years (25 and counting!) on the footy field, or you’ll know him from his business, SRM Plumbing & Gasfitting, or you’ll know him as one of the Flame’s very first sports reporters – way back in 2014!
The McCallums are one great example of a Tigers family, but there are more – check out the opposite page for photos of other Tiger clans.
In between working, playing, coaching and family life, Mel McCallum kindly took time out of her hectic schedule to answer our questions.
How long have you all been playing rugby league?
Steve – approximately 25 years. He’s an old boy. He has celebrated his milestone 250th game (200 of those in first grade) with the club – I keep egging him on to make 300 but I don’t think the body will make it. He’s notoriously known as Johnny Farnham for hanging up the boots a few times but the fear of missing out always gets him back again.
It’s my 1st season of league tag. I sat at the presentation dinner last year and thought ‘I want to be a part of this’. So I got to work creating our first over-30 girls’ team to join the Shire comp.
An amazing group of mainly mothers looking to have a social outlet that was family friendly, great exercise in an awesome club that made them something other than “just mum”.
We have the absolute best time together and wish we had done this sooner. Some have no experience in a ball sport so it’s amazing to see everyone giving it a crack.
Cooper is in his second year. He loved his first year with the boys last year and couldn’t wait to be back with them this year. Jack is in his third year. This kid breathes footy. He is unbelievable with stats and is seen out the front from 6am most mornings practising his kicks and plays. Marley is in her second year. She played last year and never made a tag, but really took to the game over the summer in a girls’ Oztag side. She has really picked up the game well and loves the team she is in.
What appeals to you about rugby league for your family?
It’s all Steve has ever known and loved. I’ve supported him for 10 years playing for this club and I guess the passion was attractive.
For the kids, they were only days if not months old when we started bringing them to watch Dad’s game. They have had a footy in their hand since before they could walk and we never really had to ask them – they just begged to play.
Finally finishing having kids and wanting to play competitive sport again, I found that same attraction to what Steve and the kids had – and I hope I’ll be around for a couple of seasons yet.
The fitness, social and skills I’m learning is never-ending. I have huge admiration for players’ dedication and commitment for the sport.
We watch every game on TV at home and it’s something we bond together over as a family.
What’s great about the Tigers?
Probably the biggest introduction I got when I met Steve was to the Tigers family. He had been with the Juniors since 1995 and continued into the seniors in 2003.
Welcomed from day dot, with many of the staff and players being there with us to celebrate our marriage, each of our kids, and there through the tough times as well. The amount of community support for the game we all love is evident in games and at events. We have the support of local businesses and families driving us.
Everyone is so approachable, supportive, nothing is too much to ask. Their passion for the club runs through them and it’s amazing to experience that. It takes a tribe to run the club but everyone is there day in, day out.
What other sports is your family into?
Swimming, basketball, hapkido, Oztag, soccer, gymnastics, dancing. Our schedule is crazy but I’d rather them out and about socialising and increasing their variety of skills than sitting at home. I’m sure we just work to pay for sport.
How busy are your weekends?
Weekends take a lot of prep and coordination. We are lucky to have great friends and family to rely on to help.
I coach Marley’s U6 girls so I have to go with her, but have friends who can warm them up so I can catch snippets of the other games. 5 games of footy throughout the shire to Illawarra and having a life on Saturday is crazy but everyone enjoys it so much. We can be as far as Kurnell to Dapto on the same day with time clashes or mad dashes.
How would you recommend rugby league to others?
Rugby league is an amazing game of skill, precision, execution, communication and fitness. The stepping stones from league tag to tackle is a hugely supported taught skill from our grass roots to the NRL.
The added social side is when you find a club like ours you instantly belong, everyone finds a way to get know you and your family and support each other on game day. The connection between the senior men, opens ladies and over 30s down to the U6 is forever developing and would love to see our kids there until the adult years – what a milestone that would be.
For more information about the Helensburgh Tigers, visit their website.
To find out about community rugby league in NSW, visit the Club Hub