In my own words – A letter from Jace Bode

I’ll always remember running out onto the Parade for the first time. Round 3, 2011 against Glenelg and I’m sure there were what felt like close to 10,000 supporters packed into the seats and standing on the terraces on Coopers Hill. It was a surreal feeling. I grew up a Norwood supporter, dad played for the legs and my first memory of going to a Norwood game was walking into Footy Park with him and Rocket Maynard for the 1993 Grand Final. It took a while to finally become a Norwood player. I started at Sturt through location of school, then formed some strong friendships that kept me at the club despite my desire to wear the red and blue and ongoing support of the legs. Fast forward to September 18, 2019, and it’s hard to believe my time in the Norwood #15 has been and gone.

I’ll forever be indebted to Nathan Bassett and Mark Ross for the opportunity to come across from Sturt ahead of the 2011 season. I’d had a difficult 12 months after transitioning back to SA after my stint at the Demons. Bass had seen me play and thought I was “ok” and I’ll never forget Rossy saying you should call him and tell him how much you want to play for Norwood after an initial meeting; the best phone call I ever made. Both are still great mentors and friends to me.

It’s been an incredible journey and one that I’ve reflected upon fondly over the past few weeks. I am so privileged to have been able to play footy alongside some absolute greats of our club, to be coached by some fantastic people, to play for a club with such dedicated staff and supporters driven to achieve, to wear the red and blue and to lead the club over the past four seasons. The Norwood Footy Club is a special place and has given me, my family and my friends so much enjoyment throughout my 9 seasons.

I would like to thank the entire Norwood family- coaches, senior management, administration, board members, medical staff, volunteers, supporters and teammates. Thank you all for developing me as a player, a leader and helping me become a better person. Thank you for helping me achieve my dreams in winning a premiership not once, but three times and, in doing so, becoming a small part of the history of this great club. To all my teammates I’ve been fortunate enough to play with over the years, thank you for the memories and times shared together. I’ll miss the conversations in the showers, the off-field antics and get-togethers, the locker room chat and working with 50 blokes at a time, all driven to accomplish something special. I look forward to sharing many beers and memories in our new clubrooms in the years to come.

To my immediate family, Nat, Maddie, Milla, Mum and Dad, thank you for your unconditional support. I wouldn’t have had the success I’ve been fortunate enough to have without you. To Nat in particular, who has been so supportive and held me together, particularly in the last 12 months when footy has been at its most challenging, I’ll be forever grateful. I look forward to spending some more quality time with my girls in the immediate future.

I’ve given my all and the club has paid me back in spades. The playing journey is over but I’ll forever be red and blue blooded.

Fortis in Procella

Bodey

#15