The North Shore Bombers are living by the theme that success begins off the field. A new president and a clear vision for the future are putting the club in the best possible position for years to come.
North Shore has just played out the most successful decade in their 108 year history – winning four senior, four division 1 and four U18 premierships.
Striving to ensure this sort of success rate continues into the future, North Shore President Steve Watters said that the club has implemented a broad ranging continuous improvement program covering all facets of the club’s activities.
“From an on field perspective the NEAFL represents an opportunity for our club to step up. If we receive an offer from the AFL and if we decide to accept it this would certainly provide us with the opportunity to attract back to the club, former high quality players that are out there playing in other competitions around the country. Just as important, the NEAFL would also greatly assist us in retaining talented players whilst providing a clearer pathway for talented young players coming from our junior clubs under the AFL’s Pathway Program” Watters said.
However, Watters is keen to point out that the club’s continuous improvement program extends well beyond any NEAFL aspirations it might have.
Off the field the club is also moving forward. It is on the verge of becoming one of the few Silver Level clubs in the Sydney AFL under the Quality Club Program and has ambitions to attain gold status in 2012. North Shore has also recently gained the sign off from all key stakeholders to install new 300 Lux lighting and has just kicked off a project to upgrade the surface at its Gore Hill oval home ground.
“This year we have also moved the administration of the club closer to a best practice, based upon a model of empowerment and accountability. Whilst this is a work in progress we have taken some very positive steps forward and are most definitely moving away from the old fashioned and quite inefficient management by committee approach”, Watters said.
Watters went on to say that “whilst the ultimate goal of making these improvements is to ensure our club moves with the times and continues to enjoy the great on field success we have had over the last 108 years, we must also continue to honour and embrace the fantastic culture and the tradition we’ve got at our club”. This is the driving force behind North Shore re-invigorating its Red & Black Coterie Club, which has as its major objective to provide a forum in which past players, officials and supporters can come together and enjoy each other’s company.”
Bombers ruckman David Martin, who has recently returned to the club following a stint at Essendon, said the playing group couldn’t be happier with the focus on off-field excellence.
“To know you’ve got the backing of the club one hundred percent is a huge refresher,” Martin said.
“It makes playing football so much easier when you don’t have to worry about what’s going on off the field.
“Even if that’s just a little niggle with a committee meeting but to know that’s not an issue just makes things so much easier for the playing group.”
Last Modified on 16/12/2011 20:09