Hello all TFNC players and supporters and welcome to the 2012 Murray Football Netball season. While it's been a rollercoaster summer with our ups and downs I am very excited and optimistic about not only this year but the long term future of the club. We appreciated it will be a year of rebuilding but can assure everyone that with your support we can make this year as enjoyable as any other, remembering that in life as in a sporting club, you get out what you put in.
Seniors: Nathan Tresize ably assisted by the Snr Leadership group of Dave Farrell, Scott Baldwin, Jeremy Cardillo and Ash Crawford will again lead the senior team that will have a considerably different line up from last year.
Favourite sons Sean Logie (Heidelberg), Tim Garlick (Sydney Hills Eagles/GWS Reserves), Michael Morgan (Perth) and Ashley Pollard (Wangaratta Rovers) have all taken the opportunity to play at a higher level, while after 5 years at the club premiership players Luke Chapman and Michael Hare have opted to join Mell at Heathcote. To note is that while from the clubs perspective we are sad to see the departures of some very good players and club persons we wish them all the best in their new endeavours.
We welcome our new players Steven & Jordan Poynton (Poowong), Adrian & Daniel Hickey (Berrigan), Mick Madden & Travis Haynes (Blighty), Josh Spicer (Melton South), Shannon Coffey (Rochester), Marcus Oussa (Cobram), Luke Fuller (Strathmerton), Troy Dunn (Barooga) and Ben Phelan (out of retirement) who have all shown promise during the practice matches.
With Rob Crow and John Tresize working the bench and Donny Tainton as team manager we will hopefully have a year of developing our younger players that I am sure will become a competitive unit as the year progresses.
Reserves: Nathan O'Connell (OC) has taken on the role of the Toc Magoo's coach with the support of team manager and assistant Tim Brunskill. With our numbers on the track building to the best they have been in many years and the return of the Ky Boys and some classy veterans in Corey, Reece, Ballsy and the out of retirement Dennis Sutton there is a real feeling of optimism within the 2's.
Under 17's: Neville Attrill (Nifty) has been appointed coach of the Under 17 boys in November and has not stopped since. Through a lot of hard work and time (500 phone calls and 10,000 kms travelled) Nifty has resurrected the thirds team from last year's core group of about 7 to a regular 26 on the track this year. While early days, all indications from the practice matches is the boys will not only have the numbers but will be more than competitive. With Charlie Baldwin as his right hand man and runner, Andy Cleve as Team Manager, Peter Bennett and Rob Crow and numerous others providing specialist skills coaching we have hopefully laid the foundations to develop these boys for senior football, not just this year but for many years to come.
Under 14's: Rick Govan has taken on the role of the 4ths coach with Peter Howell as his assistant/runner and Malcolm Haynes as Team Manager. While still predominantly young and small we have had a regular very keen 30 boys on the track that under Rick's guidance will not only learn the basic skills and knowledge of footy required but the principles of being in a team and the great things that come from that whilst most importantly having fun. We are as a club very focused on the development of our juniors and feel we could not have picked anyone better than Rick and Neville to guide our boys this year and hopefully into the future.
Trainers: Rod Meloury (man for all occasions) will head the very important trainer's team this year with the assistance of Kadeyrn Munro and Choco Andrew. As a relatively new line up, the team will be mentored by the very experienced and knowledgeable Sharmy Johnson.
Social: Jeremy Cardillo heads up the social/fundraising sub-committee that have constructed what looks to be a very exhilarating social calendar comprising of some tried and true favourites and some new and exciting events to keep all ages entertained throughout the year. Thursday nights are back bigger and better than ever with Natalie, Natasha, Ray and their merry team of helpers already very busy providing a mixture of beautiful family value meals. The members drink discounts and LMS footy tipping comp and a host of various planned entertainment throughout the year will ensure the TFNC will be the place to be on a Thursday night.
Under 17's: Well it's the start of another promising footy season. Our club has worked hard to put together a positive list for our U/17 group. Like all clubs we still require more input from parents. With two very solid practice matches done and dusted we believe our group shall be very committed as well as very competitive.
The leadership group have been chosen (refer to playing list) and we look forward to everybody getting right behind them. During the course of the season we ask all involved in and around the club to support our sponsors. We are very grateful for their efforts. Today's game we play last season's premiers which will be a great way to see where we are at. Good luck to all involved and we hope you enjoy the game.
Netball: Welcome to 2012. This year will see us fielding U/11, U/13, U/15, U/17, C Res, C and A Grades. Training commenced early February and everyone has been working hard and looking forward to converting that onto the court. Our coaches for the season are Jacinta Volpe - U/11, Sharon Govan - U/13, Kayla Govan - U/15, Cheryl Mears - U/17 and Trish Wooden - Senior Coach. Our junior numbers are fantastic this year and we look forward to having these girls on the court for many years to come. Senior numbers are a bit depleted this year with us being unable to field a B Grade side but the senior girls are committed to fielding an A Grade side which is commendable.
A committee is working on the social calendar for 2012 and we are also planning some great junior functions throughout the year. A group of U/17 players are working hard on this and have already come up with some fantastic ideas like a Junior Ball, Karaoke Night and Movie Nights. This will start soon and will continue throughout the year so please support these functions.
Umpires have been working hard as well with our junior umpires coming to training early to put into practice what they have learnt. Junior umpires will also be mentored on game day by a senior umpire sho will provide support and guidance. Each week we need to supply scorers, timers, personal carers and umpires. It takes a team effort to get all grades on the court every week and as usual we need help and support not only from players but parents as well. Good luck for 2012!
