Secretary Report 2024

Another season and unfortunately it was heavily impacted by the wet weather, mostly coming at the wrong time of the week. This meant that on Saturday we only managed 14 games and 12 on the Sunday.

We saw a 10% increase in our numbers from 2023 to 2024 of 105 to 1114, the most players we’ve ever had and remain the 6^th largest club in the association. We had 91 teams with 50 Mini Roo teams and 41 competition teams. Once again, we fielded a Shire Premier League squad while not highly successful this season we are looking to improve next year as our younger players gain that valuable experience and recruit some more players. We will also be looking to try and get a Women’s Premier League in the future, so our Girls have something to aspire to themselves. Our women players contributed to 37% of our overall playing group reflecting a strong contingent of players. Congratulations to our 3 minor premiers, W12A’s, 18B’s and AL12, all 3 teams finished the regular season as undefeated. Our 5 Premiers, W12A’s, 13B’s, 18B’s, 18D’s and W40B’s. Our 8 runners up W12B’s, 13E-1’s, 14A’s 16D’s, 21B-2’s, W18A’s, WSE-2’s and AL12’s and our 1 Finalist our 12F’s and 9 Semi Finalist. We also continued to run our nursery squad and once again it was very successful with over 60 participants, with an excellent number of girls.

This season we once again continued to leverage the Association Shared Services team and continue to build on their offerings. I’m sure many of you would have received some form of communication from them during the season. We will continue to use the service going forward. This relieves some administrative tasks and allows the committee more opportunity to provide more hands-on help to members. Please continue to support them.

A big thanks to all the committee for their support during the year, we are all volunteers and have full time jobs ourselves and are committed to ensure a smooth running of the club. Just a few key call outs and special thanks. Sadley, 2 of our executives have decided to step down this year, Bec Carlson who has been our treasurer over the last 8 seasons and Scott Vitelli who has been our Registrar over the last 7 years. A big thanks to both for the hard work and commitment you’ve shown over the years, you’ll both be missed but I’m sure we’ll see you around the grounds. Glen as president who has done an excellent job and drove a number of initiatives we saw this year, he’s been a fantastic leader and I’m sure there’s more to come. Pete Hore, for once again marking the lines every Friday night, allowing all the players the opportunity to play. In addition, the offseason work performed both on the field and around the grounds/clubhouse. Deb Dumbrell who had the difficult task of ensuring that every player is equipped with the correct uniform and all the kits are appropriately stocked, fitting out all players with either a training kit or seniors with polos. With the addition of an extra 100 players this season it was a very challenging role. Jas Annesley as Grading Chairman sorting out all players into teams, it’s no easy task. Dave Henson for securing the sponsorships for 2024, never easy to approach the various businesses asking for assistance. Gav Knight who organised all the trophies for yet another year. Matt Owen who supported our Mini Roo Referees this season. Glen Tonna who once again ran a very successful Nursery Squad. Kathleen Marr who was our Social Secretary introducing some new events during the season. Please support these, they aren’t just fund raisers for the club but an opportunity for the club to come together. To all the other committee members who get on and do their job whether committee duty on the weekend, helping with Registration, Grading, Working Bees a huge thanks, it’s what makes this a great club to be involved in.

Thanks to all the Sponsors who supported the club this season, the financial support is greatly appreciated. Ensure you support our sponsors whenever you get the opportunity. To all the Coaches and Managers your contribution is well recognized and essential to ensure that the players enjoy their game. To the players for making the club what it is providing that great club spirit. To all the wonderful supporters who either get their kids to the game and/or cheer on their teams. All of which makes the club what it is today.

Lastly, we are always looking for new committee members to assist with all our activities, If anyone is willingly to assist the club next year, please contact Col Berry. As the club continues to grow, we need more volunteers to assist with the running. This can be to assist with Registration, Grading, Working Bees or simply Committee duty on the weekend. There are plenty of ideas, suggestions, and thoughts, everyone is welcome to contribute. It’s with these ideas and contributions that we can continue to grow the club and make it better than what it is today.