Anyone whos been to a Fitzroy game at Brunswick Street Oval (or any away game for that matter) will be familiar with the huge smile, the red coat, the white hair and the big voice of Life Member Val Allpress.

Not only does Val never miss a Fitzroy game, but she increases her interest in the results of one young player each year when she sponsors a young Fitzroy player.

This year number 18, Will Zaghis, is the lucky beneficiary of Vals largesse and no doubt some of her advice on on-field matters.

Most recently Val has sponsored Dylan Patcas and before that, Harry Topp.

I first got in touch with the club and said I wanted to support a young up and comer who needs a bit of help; someone whos coming up from the juniors. And Ive continued to sponsor a young one.

I try to watch them as much as I can and it probably means I watch them with greater intensity to see how theyre getting along,Val said.

Val is a Melbourne fan in the AFL but as a local girl, said shes always had a soft spot for Fitzroy.

I was born over at the Haven and I lived for a long while in Falconer Street when I was young (just a short walk from BSO), so Ive always been local.

My husband was a VFL umpire and his best man at our wedding was a player with Fitzroy,Val said.

Not only does Val have a local Fitzroy connection, but shes pretty much Reds royalty. She was the General Secretary of the Melbourne University Football Club for eight years at a time when womens involvement in footy was far rarer than it is today.

We have other Fitzroy stalwarts who group together in a syndicate to sponsor a player too. If you are interested in finding out more about sponsoring a player you could do it as an individual like Val, in the name of your business, or join with your mates please contact Fitzroy Director and Treasurer, Michael Smale. Alternatively you can register your interest by submitting a sponsorship query: http://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/sponsorship/categories