President’s Message
Season 2011 is coming around quickly and things are starting to take shape nicely on and off the field. A quick reality check sees history show us that although playing in 3 Grand Finals and winning 2 Premierships since returning to Division 1 in 1997 we have never backed up and played in consecutive finals series. With the loss of Shannon Watt from last year’s Premiership Team we will go into round 1 with only 3 players missing. (Nick Meese & Jesse Caspersz are playing with the Bullants but are still aligned to our club). This is hugely different to previous years when we have had success. 2010 and the start of this season sees the most exciting times I’ve seen at the club. There are many things on the go and we need the support of everyone not only to turn up and support but buy a membership attend functions and help out when you can. There’s plenty of time to sit on the couch with feet up in your later years. We need committed workers, vocal members and bums on seats at every event we hold.
Coaching: The club is fortunate enough to have a very strong dedicated Coaching team led by Senior Coach Vin Dattoli. Vin has continually been involved in finals as a premiership player with Lalor, Coaching Bundoora to consecutive Grand Final appearances and a year with the Bullants. Vin doubles up as a tennis coach making him virtually a full time coach. His video analysis and continual match reviews is developing the young players quickly. Vin is assisted by Tony DelMastro who has been coaching at junior levels and at the Bullants and has been Vin’s assistant for the last 3 years. Justin Hawkins takes on the role of fitness development and tackling coach. Justin is from a rugby background and is much liked by the players in their pursuits of stronger tackling and being tackled. The imminent return of Sav Sfergola in the fitness department will no doubt bolster our strength and conditioning. Eddie Duckworth joins the team this year in his role as player development and helping out with the rehab side. His role will once again benefit the young players and expedite their development. Matt Sleeman takes the reserves again after taking them to the Grand Final in his first year despite only having 14 players available round 1 last year. Mo Fahour takes on the Under 19s for the first time having coached many of this group throughout their junior years.
Recruiting: Once again Paul McInerney heads up our recruiting team with Vin Dattoli and John Meese. Not only have they recruited some quality players over the last few years they have made sure we have picked up quality people as well ensuring the club continues to grow. This year Anthony Rocca recruited himself to the club after a quick meeting with Paul to work out which games he was available and that it would not disrupt the playing group Anthony was back where it all started. As a result of Anthony returning he suggested that Presti should join him and so he did and before we had time to take it all in he was out there on the track. No other club has been able to obtain the services of two 200plus AFL game footballers this year and the fact they played for Collingwood and are playing in a Collingwood area will no doubt boost attendances at games. The club has been fortunate to have several junior players return after testing the water elsewhere. Pending clearances we will also pick up some great talent from rival clubs.
Junior Development: The club is committed to promoting its junior players as was evident in the recent Boags pre season cup with 4 of the NFL Under 16 development squad given an opportunity alongside several under 19s and many first year players add to this Ben Irving playing an A Grade final last year aged 16. In 2011 and beyond the club is committed to assisting the Junior club by utilising the likes of Anthony Rocca, Simon Prestigiacomo, Greg Williams and Martin Pike (both have sons playing at the club) to promote and be involved in junior events to raise the profile and strengthen what already is a very strong junior club nearing 14 teams and over 350 kids add AUSKICK to this and we’ll be up around the 500 mark.
Renovations: After over a decade of negotiations with Darebin Council the club is finally going to turn the soil and knock a few bricks out and improve facilities for our members, players and most importantly visiting clubs. As with most clubs we are on council land and are unable to make changes without council permission. This year will see the viewing area improved for members with a new glass facade at the front of the rooms and a new 180 square metre multi-purpose room at the rear of the pavilion allowing the opposition clubs to use our home rooms and introduce a games and kids area. The internal gent’s toilet will have a good facelift with new urinals, solar hot water systems will be installed including water tanks. The windows will commence shortly and be completed prior to the start of the season. The multi-purpose room will commence in June and will be fully functional by the end of the year. These projects could not have been completed without the establishment of the Coterie Group and their support can never be underestimated or forgotten. The clubs contribution will be in excess of $100,000 made up of a significant cash injection and in kind support for these projects
Sponsorship: 2011 sees for the first time a unique committee to deal with sponsorship. They will not only attract new sponsors and secure current sponsors, but more importantly keep the sponsors informed, happy and involved with the club attend major events and ensure club members utilise their services. The committee is made up of Rocky Tempone, John Hogan, Ernie Lattore, Hugh Kilpatrick & Ali Fahour
All in all the club is on the move and it is up to YOU as to how far you are prepared to work to take the club further.
Go The Roosters “Put A Gap In Them”
Last Modified on 05/08/2012 23:32