President Todd Paterson welcomes you to Season 2024.

2024 looks to be another great season for the Applecross Mt Pleasant Junior Football Club, with continued growth in our new facilities at Shirley Strickland Reserve.

This year we have hit the ground running with a very dedicated committee structure and an impressive lineup of coaches and Team Managers. As a result, we have seen a very successful 2024 season unfold. Our aim from the outset of this season is to get players on the park every week, to have fun with their friends, in a safe, family friendly environment.

The start of this season was celebrated by all of our Auskicker’s running out to learn the fine craft that is Australian Rules Football. I would like to thank our new Auskick Coordinator Jinie McCartan, positively encouraging her Auskick Team with a beaming smile. Supported by a really committed team of Coaches, Team Managers and parents who will all be getting 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 female football by Jon Stagg and Elaine O’Sullivan, we have seen the establishment this year of not one but two Year 3/4 girls teams. It is extremely pleasing to see that we now have a female team in every age group from Year 3/4 through to Year 11/12. This includes our highly successful Year 9/10 females who made the finals last year. Our Year 7/8 females continued their fine form making it to the Grand Final for the second year running.

Our male Youth and Junior teams have hit the ground running this year. After a highly successful Year 8 team winning the Grand Final last year, we are looking for continued success. 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 to recruit strongly for this season.

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.

As part of the family culture at the Hawks we will continue to enjoy some spectacular social events throughout the year, organised by our enthusiastic Linda Czajka and the committee. The quiz night will be another roaring success, looking to raise another 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 16 teams in 2024, 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 Richard Arrowsmith.

Without a doubt, a hit each weekend has been the delicious food that will be served up from the canteen by 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 will dedicate 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 Petra Fowler, Jodie Budiselik and Terese Edmondson have tirelessly worked to liaise with the WAFC and ensure the Club maintains strong governance. Thanks for the continued support of Keith Daddow for helping out around the grounds, Chris Bates for organising all the fixturing and Leilani Christophersen on social media and marketing. Thanks to Danielle Priestly who is ensuring we were all rugged up in great selection of club merchandise, the new training tees for all players look awesome. A big thanks must also go to Coach Coordinator Jon Stagg who has worked extremely hard at the beginning of the year to get teams up and running and organising new coaches where required.

We are super appreciative of all our SPONSORS who have supported the club this year. You have enabled us to purchase much needed equipment for the club and to store it in a safe and tidy manner. Thanks Andrew Stephens for your tireless work ensuring our sponsors receive the recognition they deserve.

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 2024