It was a fantastic honour to receive the Darebin 'Sports Club of the Year' Award on behalf of all members and participants of West Preston Lakeside FC. Dazz and I attended the Darebin Breakfast on Tuesday morning where the club received the award. (Photo at left: Paul, Dazz and Darebin Mayor Cr Vince Fontana.)
What fantastic recognition of all that the club has achieved.
Over the past 12 months the club has been the recipient of some very special awards, namely the Swisse AFL Quality Club Program 'Gold Accreditation' award ( 1 of only 28 clubs Australia wide to achieve this and 1 of only 5 in Victoria ), 2014 Volunteer of the Year - ( Graham Mills ) and now the Darebin Community Sporting Club 'Sports Club of the Year' Award.
These are recognition for the work that we are doing across all aspects of the club, which have been a very strong focus over the past 3 years.
Everyone who is involved in any way be that volunteer, member, participant, parent, or family member should take great pride in contributing to the club achieving these awards.
The club has been striving to be a club that is continually improving and providing a safe, happy and inclusive environment for all. We have been praised by community groups for our inclusiveness in regards to multicultural awareness, disability inclusiveness, Women's/Girls' sport participation & welfare and guidance programs in regards to drugs/ alcohol. In a lot of these areas and programs, we have been very fortunate to have the guidance and help of Paddy McVeigh & Lauren Rizzacasa from PRACE. Their guidance had been invaluable.
Initiatives that we are also very proud of over the past 3 years are:
-New Change rooms / office / coaches room
-New ground fencing & resurfacing ( bottom oval regarded as equal to if not the best surface in the NFL.)
-Grown the Girls teams from 1 in 2013 to 4 in the coming 2016 season. ( hopefully senior side in 2 years)
-Joining of the Junior & Senior club into one entity.
-Junior Club structure & finances now in a very strong position.
-Lakeside Netball Club joining up with the Football club this year to form the West Preston Lakeside Sporting Club.
-Approval for 2 netball courts to be built where the old cricket nets currently stand.
-Formation of Golf Club
-New Cricket nets closer to the rooms ( where the current playground is )
-New Playground to replace the old out dated one.
This coming 2016 season also sees the celebration of 20 consecutive years in 1st Division Football, which is a mighty achievement and something which we will continue to strive for along with success at the top end of the Division 1 competition.
We also hope to be able to announce some more significant improvements to our current infrastructure in the new Year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sean Golledge, who after 2 years as our Junior President has stepped aside. Sean has done a remarkable job in that time, and will make use of his now 'spare' time spending more of it with his 3 young boys' various interests (mainly sporting !! ). A great job, Sean, in sometimes very trying circumstances. Our Club is in a very strong position largely because of your efforts.
On Wednesday 16th Dec, the seniors have their last pre Christmas training session for the year ( they have been going hard for 6 weeks ). This will be followed by a BBQ for all who wish to come.
So come along and meet & mingle with the players & coaches and enjoy a relaxed evening to finish off the year at the club. All parents & kids are welcome...
On behalf of all committee members, I would like to wish everyone a very happy & safe Christmas and festive season, and look forward to a very enjoyable 2016.
Paul Mcinerney
President, WPLFC