With round 1 on our doorstep, 2023 is shaping up to be another huge season both on and off the field for the South Warrnambool Football Netball Club. But before we get into this year, let's look back at 2022 and everything we have been able to achieve as a club. Firstly, we were not only able to play a full season after 2 years of interruptions due to COVID, but we also managed to get 12 of our teams into the finals, producing 6 Premierships for the season. To top it off, the main highlight was the Open Netballers winning their first premiership in 32 years. Over all, it was just an amazing effort to all who were involved in every grade to cap off a huge year.
This year we welcome well over 550 new and existing players to the club, across 26 teams, in all grades and abilities for another exciting season. We wish all players the best and look forward to adding more silverware to the shelf and plenty of reasons to celebrate once again.
The club continues to work on its list of infrastructure projects, and early this year we have started 2 large projects that have been long overdue for the club. First is a full new fit out of the club's kitchen. With the large amount of teas we continually do each week during the season, the kitchen was getting very tired and it was simply not sustainable. I thank Steve Harris and his team of club volunteers for putting this all together, hours spent painting and removing and installing equipment, they have done a first class job. Be sure when you're up at the club to stick your head in and check it out. The project is due to be finished before Round 1. This has future proofed the club for the next 10 to 15 years and look forward to new exciting ways to hire out the social room with this type of facility. The second is the facelift of our football change rooms to be more inclusive for female and all abilities footballers and umpires. For anyone who has been at South for a very long time, you would be aware how this is well overdue and will give our facilities a much needed upgrade. This project includes new toilets and showers, new walls, flooring and benches and a new female umpire change room. Whilst this project is going on, we have shifted the first 4 Saturday games to be ‘away’ and we will be due to come back for Round 5, Saturday 13th of May vs Hamilton. I thank everyone’s patience whilst this project is getting completed.
To all our Volunteers, Executive and Committee teams, we couldn't function without everything you do for this club. The hours you all commit, you do it because you love this club and want it to succeed. We all owe you a debt of gratitude that can't be repaid and thank you for all you do. I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you over the season ahead.
To our Members and Sponsors, thank you for all your support year after year. It takes a lot to run a club like South and your generosity, time and time again, makes us what we are today and helps with being a professional and successful Football and Netball Club. It gives me great excitement to see you all at games, cheering on the mighty Roosters!!
Finally, it is my great honour to lead a club with such history and success for my first year as President in 2023. Everyone, whether you are a player, past player, coach, member, volunteer, committee member or sponsor, has welcomed me with such warmth and inclusion. I look forward to the challenges ahead and focus on my goal to keep this club successful both on and off the field.
Go Roosters!!
John Ross
SWFNC President
