On behalf of the Executive Committee, I am proud to present the 40th St Marys GJFC Annual Report for the year ending 30th September 2012.
The role as President has once again been an extremely demanding, interesting and most rewarding experience now in my third year as President of the St Marys GJFC.
The dedication of our Executive Committee has continued the great work of past Executive Committee Members ensuring that our great club continues to grow both on and off the field which makes our great club second to none and the envy of others in what is truly a family football club.
A sincere thank you to all our Age Group Managers, Coaches, Team Managers and their support staff for their great work during the season.
A huge thank you to Head Football Director Mark Stanley, Coaching Director Bernie Girolami and Football Directors Glenn Hinchcliffe and Rick Le Gassic. They have dedicated their time and have put in a tireless amount of work during the season to ensure that all our children are doing what they love most – playing footy. A great job and greatly appreciated by the entire club.
533 registered players fielding 23 teams this year has been a huge task to manage. Our proud club does not measure success by how many Premierships we win, our success is measured by giving all our children no matter their ability, the opportunity to play football, be a part of team sport, build long life friendships and more importantly build their self esteem as children and teenagers.
With these key principals, the St Marys GJFC has once again, enjoyed a successful 2012 season.
An added bonus to this is that with along 4 Tackers teams and 19 competitive teams in the home and away season – 10 teams resulted in playing in this year’s finals -7 making to the Grand Final and ultimately 3 Premiership teams.
Having 7 teams playing off in this year’s Grand Final was a one of the best results in almost 12 years at our club.
Congratulations to Coach Tony Norris Colts 1, Mark Yoemans 15-2’s and
Jack Batchelor Under 11 Black who are this year’s Premiership winning teams.
Congratulations to Tony Norris and Craig Peacock, who this year were awarded the NAB- 2012 Northern Region Coach of the Year in their respective category.
Craig has also been invited to the MCG in November as a candidate in the final four, for State Coach of the Year. We wish Craig all the very best.
I would like to congratulate all our players who received awards at the YJFL Best and Fairest. Also to all our players that were selected in the YJFL representative teams, a tremendous effort and fantastic achievement.
Congratulations to Life Members inductees’ Jon and Bernadette Benson and
Damien and Drusilla Kett. Worthy inductees for their contribution over a number of years to our great club.
Next season, due to the increased costs of the day to day running of the football club, the registration fees for season 2013 will be:
First child $120.00, second child $65.00; third child $30.00 fourth child is free.
Match fees remain the same at $90.00.
Next season the club will once again provide free merchandise on registration day in the way of a newly designed football club towel and a $30.00 voucher which enables members to choose any club merchandise of their choice.
Special mention to Property Director Debbie Costello for all her work not only for organising the huge amount of merchandise, but also for taking care of all the property equipment and uniforms for our teams.
This would not be possible without the generous support from all our Major, Club and Team Sponsors.
Special mention to Technika, Stuart Broadley and Associates and
MGS Landscapes for the huge contribution as our Major Sponsors for 2012.
On behalf of the entire club we thank all our sponsors and look forward to the continued support that ultimately is for all our kids. Thank you once again, it is greatly appreciated.
I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous support and close relationship that we have with the Yarra Junior Football League, Banyule City Council, Watsonia Football Club, and the Riverside Cricket Club. It is imperative that a club our size maintains a strong and committed relationship with these organisations and we have once again achieved this and look forward in continuing these relationships.
This year we again decided to open up Friday nights for all our members to get along and enjoy a meal watching the footy on the big screen. A lot of planning and work went into these nights and I would like to thank Andrew and Chris Sacco, Bernie Girolami and Danni Gioffre who were there every Friday night along with being there every Sunday for the benefit and enjoyment of our members.
Thank you to all the people that also helped every Sunday night. A tremendous amount of work is required to keep these nights going and without the extra help from our members these nights would not be the success that they are.
We are excited that this year we launched our new club website. The response has been overwhelming with this new and user friendly site. Special thank you to
Danni Gioffre who worked on this for over 7 months.
Danni also this year has under taken the role as Administration and Registration Director and has done an amazing job.
Not only from a personally perspective but also from the entire football club, I must thank and acknowledge our Secretary Andrew Sacco for the amazing work he has again contributed this year. Andrew with the support of his family has dedicated countless hours throughout the entire year ensuring that the club continues to function in the professional manner that we are all accustomed to. Andrew’s work has been a key and critical part of this year success. In his third year as Secretary he has been outstanding and I appreciate the support he has shown me.
Vice President Dave Harris has also been a vital member of the Executive group in this year’s success. His work and support has been unquestionable. Dave’s passion and dedication is second to none and a lot of the credit must also go to him. It has been a privilege to work alongside Dave.
I must acknowledge Chris Sacco who as Sponsorship Director once again has been remarkable. Chris’s work not only in sponsorship but also in fundraising has brought these important roles to another level that the club has never seen before.
This year’s social events have been bigger and better than ever before that we have all enjoyed and continue to speak about today. A big success due Social Director Jon Benson.
This year the club held its first ever family day which the club invested just over
$8,000.00 with rides, events and give a ways at no cost to our members.
An estimate of 300 members during the course of the day was a huge success and we look forward in making this an annual event. Thank you to all that assisted in making this a special day for all our kids.
The role as a Treasurer is one of the most integral parts of any organising none more so when volunteering at a junior football club. Even Butterworth, has put in a huge amount of work, ensuring that all finances have been accounted for and up to date. Thank you for an exceptional job.
To the entire 2012 Executive Committee – a group of people that are passionate and have worked tirelessly throughout the season. At all times, they have had the club’s best interest first and foremost. At times it has been very testing and time consuming, however, the Executive Committee has performed an outstanding job and I am privileged to be apart and associated with an amazing team of people. They must be totally commended for all their hard work and efforts.
Executive Committee 2012.
Vice President – Dave Harris
Secretary – Andrew Sacco
Treasurer – Even Butterworth
Administration and Registration Director – Danni Gioffre
Head Football Director – Mark Stanley
Coaching and Football Director – Bernie Girolami
Football Directors – Glenn Hinchcliffe and Rick Le Gassic
Property Director – Debbie Costello
Social Director – Jon Benson
Sponsorship Director – Chris Sacco
To Jon Benson who will be stepping down from the Executive Committee.
We sincerely thank you for the amazing work and dedication you have brought to our club over the years which is greatly appreciated.
Special mention to Paul Millet, our Club’s Conduct Officer, who thankfully only had a few issues during the season which were handled impeccably.
Thanks once again to Livio Basile our League Delegate who represented our club magnificently.
To our canteen staff, bar staff and grounds team thank you once again for all the work you put in – the club would not be the same without your fantastic support.
It is greatly appreciate by all.
Congratulations to our Senior Club who in their short history had all 3 teams making finals and the reserves playing off in this this year’s Grand Final. The seniors are in great hands with a dedicated and enthusiastic Executive Committee and will continue to grow in true St Marys sprit and will be a force as a Senior Football Club.
This year the junior club once again supported the Senior club with regards to the use of the social rooms every Thursday and Saturday nights during the course of the season.
We were also delighted that 2012 saw the under 19’s play all home games at Whatmough Park and the Seniors and Reserves play half of their home games also at Whatmough Park.
This had no interruptions with Junior Sunday games and we will continue to support this again in 2013 along with the support of the Riverside Cricket Club and Banyule City Council.
The Senior club contributed to their of our share of expenses of all fixtures purchased along with their part share of expenses to the day to day running of the football club.
The relationship between both the Junior and Senior Club this year has developed even stronger. A relationship which both clubs look forward in continuing and developing for many years ahead.
The Junior club whilst in full support of the Senior club will at no stage make decisions that will impact or be the detriment to the Junior club.
Both clubs are and will continue to operate as two separate clubs.
In closing, after 3 years as President I will be stepping aside and allowing the opportunity for someone to take on this important and rewarding role.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity in representing our club not only with outside organisations but most importantly to all our members.
Over the past 3 years I thank you all for the support, kind emails and warm wishes.
I am very humbled by these.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as President of our great football club. The most enjoyable aspect for me was to be a part and getting to know such quality people that are you, all the members of the St Marys GJFC.
Without the amazing support from Danni and my two sons Dylan and Nathan, it would have not been possible for me to fulfil my role in which I cannot thank them enough.
I sincerely hope that during my tenure as President I have made a small difference in ensuring your experience in this important time of our children’s junior football years at St Marys Greensborough Junior Football Club, as a time that they will remember as an enjoyable one and being part of a great family football club that sets us apart from others.
I wish you all the very best for the remainder of 2012 and look forward in being a part of another successfully and enjoyable 2013 season at the mighty BURRA.
Sam Gioffre
President
St Marys GJFC
