President Todd Paterson reflects on Season 2023 as another successful year for the AMPJFC!
2023 has been a great year for the Applecross Mt Pleasant Junior Football Club with continued growth of the club in our new facilities at Shirley Strickland Reserve.
Having been handed the reigns from our long serving, outgoing President Sheldon Brady in September 2022, it has been a year of hitting the ground running with a very dedicated committee structure. As a result, we have seen a very successful season unfold. Our aim from the outset of the season was to get players on the park every week, to have fun with their friends, in a safe, family friendly environment. I can safely say that we have achieved that goal and then some.
The start of the season was celebrated by all of our Auskicker’s running out to learn the fine craft that is Australian Rules Football, with a special guest appearance from Bluey (thanks Peter Firth). I would like to thank Linda Czajka for her unwavering work as the Auskick Coordinator, positively encouraging her Auskick Team with a beaming smile. Supported by Auskick Registrar Jess Cole and a really committed team of Coaches, Team Managers and parents who all get involved in Pre Primary, Year 1 and Year 2, we have seen a fun filled Auskick programme continue to evolve.
As a result of many years of laying brilliant ground work in Auskick and senior football by Jon Stagg and Elaine O’Sullivan, we saw the establishment of our first Year 3/4 female team. It is extremely pleasing to see that we now have 3 female teams and growing. This includes our highly successful Year 9/10 females who made the finals this year. Our Year 7/8 females continued their fine form making it to the Grand Final for the second year running. An added bonus this year was having the Premiership winning East Fremantle WAFLW team training at Shirley Strickland Reserve on Tuesday and Thursday nights, whilst Shark Park is being redeveloped. It has been inspirational for all of our players to see women of that calibre training at our facilities and being involved with our teams. A major milestone was also achieved this year with our first female player reaching 50 games, congratulations to the highly talented Nilasha Krishnamurthy!
Our Youth and Junior teams have had mixed success this year, culminating with our Year 8 team making the Grand Final. It is the strength in ability and numbers in the younger age groups from Year 3 through to Year 7 that will see the continued success of the club in the coming years. We are looking to continue recruiting strongly for the upcoming season for the Year 10 and Year 11/12 teams. With the correct grading, the Club wants to ensure those teams have the best opportunity of shared success on the field. Thanks must be given for the combined support and teamwork of all the dedicated Coaches, Team Managers and parent volunteers that assist week in, week out to ensure we provide our players the best possible playing environment to enjoy their football.
Please do make the most of discounted memberships in the months of September to November so that we can make plans for next years teams as early as possible.
As part of the family culture at the Hawks we have enjoyed some spectacular social events, organised by our Life Member Leanne Stannard and the committee. The quiz night in August was a roaring success, raising a record amount of funds for the club to help deliver a better experience around the grounds for players and parents. As the club has continued to grow into it’s new home at Shirley Strickland, we have seen continual improvements with how we deliver the game day environment. Thanks to Tim and Skye Hewitt for helping us grow into 15 teams, purchasing new equipment as required to allow 4 games to run simultaneously at any one time. The meat trays have also become a highlight of every social function! The facilities can’t run smoothly without the support of the Shirley Strickland Reserve Sporting Association, brilliantly led by past president Peter Firth and supported by Drew Gaynor and Leanne Stannard.
Without a doubt, a hit each weekend has been the delicious food that has been served up from the canteen by Steph O’Brien and Linda Baker, ably assisted by one of our coaches Jarrod Baker. A big thanks to all the parents that have been rostered on throughout the year and dedicated your time to help serve our football community. Your continued support is very much appreciated.
Finally, I would like to thank our exceptional committee that has worked brilliantly together this year as a team, behind the scenes, to ensure the club is run as smoothly as possible. The Executive Committee of Jess Davey, Petra Fowler and Jodie Budiselik have tirelessly worked to liaise with the WAFC and ensure the Club maintains strong governance. Thanks for the continued support of Keith Daddow, Loretta Firth and Natalie Cherry, helping out around the grounds, on social media and at various social functions. Thanks to Danielle Priestly who maintained clear communications with all Team Managers, whilst ensuring we were all rugged up in club merch. Thanks must also go to Coach Coordinator Jon Stagg who worked extremely hard at the beginning of the year to get teams up and running and organise new coaches where required. Jon has been the voice of reason and my sounding board throughout the year, I really appreciate your sage advice, thank you.
We are super appreciative of all our sponsors who have supported the club throughout the year. You have enabled us to purchase much needed equipment for the club and to store it in a safe and tidy manner.
To all the parents and players who are members of this fantastic club, thank you for your continued support and help on game day. We enjoy putting on football games each and every week, to ensure our children have a safe and healthy environment to play football and learn some great life lessons together.
Go The Mighty Hawks!
Todd Paterson
AMPJFC President 2023
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