President's Report 2007
What a wonderful experience it has been to be President of the Glen Iris Gladiators for the first time - a Junior Football Club that has 450 kids participating each weekend in a game called Aussie Rules.
I'd like to express my many thanks to the Committee of 2007, for all their hard work, effort and dedication to make this year a memorable one for all involved, and for the support they have provided throughout the year, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and look forward to continuing in season 2008.
In a difficult season with a delayed start, due to the ongoing drought implications, I'd like to thank the number of volunteers who each week put in endless efforts to make the club run smoothly so we can provide the opportunity for so many kids to participate each week. Additionally many thanks to the Coaches and Team Managers for all their efforts at training and on match days who without their time and dedication we wouldn't be able to field as many sides as we do. This year we fielded 19 sides: U9 X 4, U10 X 3, U11 x 4, U12 x 2, U13 x 2, U14 X1, U15 X 2, and a combined colts side with the Camberwell Sharks. Again we fielded teams in both the Waverley Junior Football Association and the Yarra Junior Football League as this provides the club the opportunity for Teams from U11 to play divisional football and from U13 to grade players so they can be placed in teams that are reflective of their development and ability to ensure the players have a competitive and enjoyable season. This year the two U13 teams played in different leagues and the concept of grading was difficult as players could not transfer between the sides / leagues. The committee understands the frustrations of all involved and from Season 2008 we will endeavour to the ongoing development and enjoyment of all players and after consulting both leagues we will be able to move players from the U13 sides.
From the 19 sides that took the field in season 2007 - we had a very successful year with 5 out of 12 sides playing off in the grand final. With the Colts winning the Brown Division and the U15 winning the Gold Division in the YJFL (making it Back To Back premierships) congratulations to Ben Carboni, Matt Parker and all the players in the whole U15 age group on a great achievement in what could go down as one of the best Glen Iris side's of all time. Special thanks to Ian and Carol Seed for the unbelievable work behind the scenes to organise the Colts side of 2007 and for the help and support from the Camberwell Sharks that made it all possible. In a fantastic year, where only 4 players were registered at the start of the season they ended up the dominant side throughout the year and that form continued on grand final day to win the premiership. Congratulations to Danny Staffieri, Paul 'Squizzy' Taylor, and to the support staff from both clubs and especially to the players on an unforgettable year. Our 3 sides that played in the WJFA all made the Grand Finals- a great effort - the U11s with David Hays and Mark Rivett providing a great experience for the boys all year, To U12's with Graeme Heine and David Atkins and all the boys who could ever forget the Preliminary Final Win and to the U13 players with Steve Reddish and Rod Newton who after having another terrific season together ran into the East Malvern Knights for the second year in a row. The U9 Green (Paul Hermann) and U9 Blue (Andrew Sutherland) and the U10 Gold (Peter Giles) all took out the Lightning premierships in the WJFA.
We also had a number of players that polled well in the B&F counts - Congratulations to Mac Rivett (Winner U11 WJFA B&F) and Lachie McMillan (Winner U15 YFJL Gold B&F) also to Matthew Seed 4th Colts 2, Sid Jones 3rd U15 Div 3, Rupert Wills 8th U14 Brown, Ned Walmsley 2nd U13 Blue, James Stewart 3rd U13 Blue, Will Hayes 6th U12 Brown and Howard Webb 5th U11 Green. Well done on a terrific season. We had many players that represented our club during the Interleague games and a record 7 players that played in the U15 Div 1 winning YJFL side.
This year we had a new fridge installed at Righetti, organised a coffee van for Sundays, we held the Presentation Night at the East Malvern RSL with over 400 people in attendance, upgraded our Website, had a newsletter that provided a match report from each team, Jonathan Walmsley organised every team to be sponsored and created the Sponsorship Board for the club room letting everyone know who our sponsors are, We had a Pie van for the Great Aussie Pie Night, Shane Crawford helped out at training with the U10's, We Auctioned off a Water tank with the help of Andrew Macmillan from Bennison Mackinnon at one of our 2 Happy Hours, We organised the Spinning Wheel with plenty of give aways at training, Held our 20th Anniversary Night with take home showbags filled with goodies from our sponsors at the Cherry Tree Hotel, - Held the jumper presentation night without any jumpers, organised with the help of the Hawthorn Hockey Club the use of the facilities for pre season training, organised the dentist for mouth guards, had a VIP night at Rebel Sport with Tom Lindholm winning the major prize to run through the banner with the Richmond Football side, We also had many teams that organised get togethers on a team level which I'm told were very enjoyable for everyone involved and had a coffee van arrive at Righetti every Sunday.
Many Thanks to Howard Date, Sandy Lindholm, Brett Maginness, Jenny Sechure, David Hays, Lisa Capper, Chris Barnett, and the 20th Anniversary night organising team also I make special mention to Jonathan Walmsley who organised the outstanding contributions from our loyal sponsors and to Michelle Ioannidis for her help in organising the newsletter each week and to the upgrading of the website. This year the efforts by Alastair Hamer and Jan Gnatt were unbelievable and they both dedicated so much time and effort to make the running of the club a whole lot easier.
I'd also like to praise the efforts of our four retiring members of the committee for the loyal service, help and vision they have provided the club over the last 15 years, Wayne Parker, Susie Bate, Peter Vine and Kelli Gorman - Well done and Thank you.
This club is all about the kids that pull on the Gladiator jumper each week and to all the Mums and Dads that make it possible.
Thanks again for your support and we look forward to a lot of Rain and the start of season 2008
Yours in Football
David Hooper
President GIJFC