FOSTER FOOTBALL CLUB Inc.
President’s Report 2016
On behalf of the Foster Football Netball Club, I would like to thank all those who contributed towards the successful season we had at our club this year.
Country towns need to have a vibrant happy football/netball club to encourage children and young adults to participate in sport, adding to the local community. Sporting clubs need the support of parents, grandparents, friends and even newly arrived "tree and sea changers" to help with their day to day running.
I would like to acknowledge all of the people who volunteered their time and made an effort throughout the season, in particular, the Football/Netball committees who faced the peaks and troughs that come with running a sporting club with good humour and enthusiasm; it was a pleasure to be involved with them all. Special thanks to Maz Flett who stepped into the Secretary role when Sandra Binding had a health scare. To those who filled the rosters for the gate, canteen, bar staff, time keepers, goal flag wavers, junior and reserves umpires, groundkeepers, electric scoreboard attendants, thank-you. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the netball timekeepers, umpires, goal scorers, egg and bacon sandwich makers, and all those who did the little things that made sure teams got onto the courts each Saturday.
To the football and netball coaches and assistants who put hundreds of hours into improving our players and making sure everybody had an enjoyable year, thank-you. To the water boys and girls and boundary umpires we had to supply each week to even start a match, and to the group of trainers led by Mark who kept the players healthy, I express my gratitude.
I would also like to recognise the catering team that organised Thursday night meals, starting from the pumpkin and potato peelers to the roast cookers and then the teams that served up and then cleaned up after serving on average 100 meals per week, thank-you.
Thank-you to our sponsors who contributed towards the running and financial success of the club. Our major sponsors were The Exchange Hotel, Paragreen Real Estate, Cellarbrations, Atoll Travel, Foster Foodworks, Wright Steel Sales, Aherns Fruit Market, Storr Transport, Prom Meats, Benton Plumbtec, O’Connell Motors, Foster Newsagency, Andrew Williams Accountants, Dulux Paints, Foster Dairy Pro, Planned Constructions, Foster RSL, Bendigo Community Bank, and LKD Livestock. The club also received sponsorship from Landmark, Ando’s Bakery, Milne Building & Plumbing , Alex Scott & Co and the ANZ Bank. In addition, the club is well supported by our Past Players and Supporters Group and extends its thanks to our weekly awards sponsors.
Interesting times in country football are ahead of us with the changes to our league structure. I am sure there still will be the rivalry between us and our neighbours in Toora and Fish Creek and know, we, the Foster Football Netball club, with the help of supporters, the players, volunteers, parents, grandparents and friends, will continue to experience success in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Malcolm Davies
President
FOSTER FOOTBALL CLUB Inc.
Coach’s Report
After having a few months to sit back and reflect on the season, I have great pride in what we achieved yet am bitterly disappointed with the way the season ended. After struggling with numbers at training last year, I was a bit apprehensive to start our pre-season before Christmas but I decided to and we had good numbers early. Many of the local boys made every training and the Melbourne boys made a couple of sessions as well. Post-Christmas the numbers started to build, the team started to gel together as was evident in our round one victory against the eventual premiers.
During the season we had spells of playing really good football that was enjoyable to be a part of, we also had low spots but somehow managed to find a way to win games which was pleasing. To finish the regular season at 15-3 was very rewarding for the group who all put in so much hard work and effort. The group was excited to play finals and a win in the first final was great for the boys and the club. Unfortunately we came up against a pretty good side in Inverloch in our second final and although we put up a good fight they were too good for us on the day. I believe if we had of beaten Inverloch, we could have gone all the way.
Some positives for the year:
- The improvement of local players (training attendance, fitness, dedication)
- Youngsters who played senior football (Nathan Van Dyke, Troy Van Dyke, Xavier Duursma)
- Commitment from Melbourne players
- Club atmosphere, footballers and netballs supporting one and other, function attendance etc.
- Playing finals
- Improved win/lose ratio
Although we have lost quite a few Melbourne based players due to league restructure and personal commitments we will look to recruit players who will help us achieve the ultimate success in 2017.
Personally, I have really enjoyed my first year of senior coaching and would like to thanks all the individuals that helped make my job an easier one.
I look forward to the challenge of 2017 and improving on this year’s results.
Nick Connellan
Senior Coach