Pennant Hills AFL Club Year Book 2022
December 21, 2022
• Stephen Wray being named as one of the best in NSW premier Competition as a joint winner of the Phelan medal.
• Eleanor Rugg being named full back in the female team of the year.
• Theo Moraitis being named in the forward pocket in the Men’s team of the year
• Michael Carroll in the back pocket in the Men’s team of the year
• Stephen Wray at Half Back Flank in the Men’s team of the year
• Ella Morris signing with the Casey Demons for season 2023.
It was great to get a full season of football in after two years of COVID impact.
To play a full home and away and finals season has been a pleasure.
I would say that we have still seen some impacts of COVID this season. The
disappointment of having to drop two teams, due to lack of numbers, and
the lack of player and sponsor confidence did impact us. We are working
hard to get back to full operations for season 2023.
Football
Well done to the Women’s Division 2 on winning the club’s inaugural
women’s premiership. This is an outstanding achievement and is reward for
the hard work of the players and the coaching group. Jed Corbett, as coach
of this squad well done. Special mention must go to Mark Carroll as head of
the Women’s program. Mark puts in an extraordinary amount of work, he
drives coaching standards, player development, recruitment and retention
initiatives and building bridges to our junior feeder clubs. Well done Mark
and congratulations on this reward. We look forward to this being the start
of more premiership success for our Women’s program.
In what, I think we all would agree, was a “below-par” on field performance
for our teams there is still many positives to take from the season. We
saw many new, younger players join our senior ranks and debut in
Premier Division Football. Our new game plans were proven to stand
up to the best teams when we executed them. Our development has
been strengthened and we have greater depth to support our senior
squads. The evidence in the success of our programs has been
borne through:
• Stephen Wray being named as one of the best in NSW premier
Competition as a joint winner of the Phelan medal.
• Eleanor Rugg being named full back in the female team of the year. Theo
Moraitis being named in the forward pocket, Michael Carroll in the back
pocket and Stephen Wray at Half Back Flank in the Men’s team of the year;
and Ella Morris signing with the Casey Demons for season 2023.
These are outstanding achievements. Congratulations to the players but also to their coaches.
With this season “under our belts” we will consolidate and have more
Grand Final appearances in season 2023. I am optimistic for both our
Men and Women in season 2023. Mark McVeigh was back at the club and
supporting our player and coaching development programs. It was great to
have such high-level coaching support at the club. Mark ran some on field
coaching programs for our player development program our teams and an
outstanding coaching developmentsession. It is great to be able to confirm
that Mark has advised he will be around to assist our preseason training
programs and coaching and leadership development for season 2023.
Our player Development program will build in strength and participation in
season 2023. Twelve players from our junior feeder clubs signed up for it
this year. This program builds better footballers and citizens and was very
well received. Our junior clubs are keen to expand this offering for season
2023.
Facilities
How fantastic are our club rooms. They have proven to be the best facilities
in our competition, the envy of all other clubs. We have held a few events
that have been a great success and will be looking to hold more as it is
the best way to support our club. With grants secured for the lower level
we look forward to this being finished earlyisseason 2023. With more and
enhanced change sheds we will be able to enhance our women’s facilities
and therefore the experience for them. Improved public facilities, storage
and training will further enhance our offering tomembers.
Functions
Our player welfare department conducted excellent work throughout the
year. Many workshops for our players were very well received and helped
to build our culture and awareness. Our Mental health round raised much
needed finds for Gotcha4 life. Well done to Melissa Adams, Narelle Adem
and the welfare sub-committee.
Our belated 50th celebration was an excellent night. Thank you to Ian
Parker for his organisation of this first-class event. The calibre of MC, the
balance of history, tradition and looking forward made this a night that will
be talked about for the next 50 years. Congratulations to those who were
named in the team of the clubs second 25 years, an elite list.
Sponsors
Without our sponsors we do not get to play the game we love. In a year
where they are also recovering, from two devastating COVID impacted
years, we greatly appreciate your support.
Thank you to:
• Pennant Hills Toyota The ARA Group
• Ritera Electrical PKFlooring
• West Pennant Hills Sports Club Cosmo Coffee
• Eylex Pty Ltd Security & Data Systems
• Wilson Parking Good Drinks
To my hard-working committee thank you. This season the committee have
worked hard to ensure stay in positive cash territory whilst providing our
football programs and functions. I wish to make special mention of Stewart
Woodward, and Dale Sparks for their work in football operations and the
development programs.
Allan Abbott you are the heartbeat of our club, thank you for the work you
do in all areas of our club. The club would be a much poorer place without
you. To Leanne Maguire and Jo Bolster in Merchandise your enthusiasm
and love for the club is infectious and your work appreciated by all.
Finally, a huge thank you to the President’s Award winner for the season,
Jennifer Williams. Themany,many hoursyou put in to keeping our finances
in order, traceable, auditable and easily recalled is both remarkable and
outstanding.
Thank you to all who have put into our great club in any way. Every little bit
makes a great difference.
Signing off
Todd Williams
President 2022