Changing of the Guard at the SUNS
Michael Thomas
Surf Coast Suns AGM was held at the Grant Pavilion on Tuesday 13th November.
At this time Mark Burgess, President of the last 2 years, stepped down and was replaced by Junior Football Coordinator and under 9 football coach Mike Thomas.
‘Mark has done a terrific Job for the past 2 years’, Mr Thomas said. ‘When Mark took over the club was still very new with only 60 members. It has since grown to around 250. Apart from managing the growth of the club Mark has established our policies & governance, relationships with Council, AFL Barwon, other sporting clubs, bringing in sponsors, recruiting parents and other committee members, the list goes on.’
‘It has been a rewarding experience, seeing the club grow’, said Mr Burgess, ‘I feel that the work completed has set the foundation to hand it over in a strong position, allowing the new committee to launch into the coming season. Mike has done a great job running the football department over the 2017/18 seasons, he is well respected around the club and I have full confidence in his ability to build on the Suns values of inclusiveness, fun and integrity as President in 2019’. Mr Burgess added ‘Running a sporting club takes many people and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and the club as a volunteer over the past two years. No one person makes a club, community working together makes a great club and you have all been amazing. I look forward to catching up and watching our kids continue to develop their skills into the future’. Mr Burgess also paid tribute to out-going Vice President Kristin Prosser who has done showed incredible leadership values over the last 12 months.
Mr Thomas went on to thank Mark for his efforts, and looks forward to seeing him at the club as a parent/supporter in the coming year.
‘The up coming season looks to be very promising’, said Mr Thomas. ‘We have some exiting plans to look forward to, along with the expected additional growth. But at the heart of it the clubs mission remains the same, to continue to build the club, manage its growth and provide a safe and inclusive environment to bring kids together to have fun, build their skills and participate in sport.’