2021 Presidents Report
Michael Thomas
After the 2020 season we could never have predicted we would be challenged again like we were in 2021. Through applying lessons learnt the Suns again can place ourselves in a strong position at the end of this period. I like to thank our Committee, Coaches and Volunteers for their flexibility and tireless work to ensure we provided our kids with the best opportunity to be active and healthy.
By the numbers, we continue to grow as a club. AusKick led the way with over 240 participants making our program one of the biggest not only in the region, but also the state. A big thank you to Nathan Patterson for building and running the program, but also the army of parent helpers who created exciting Friday nights. NetSetGo hit record heights also with 90 registered participants. This created new challenges and changed the way we ran the program. Kate Wood and Kylie Roberts with their helpers did an amazing job, putting smiles on kids all through a cold winter.
2021 provided the club with the opportunity to launch some new teams. We expanded football into Under 15’s for both Male and Female. Our Female team was made possible through a partnership with the Torquay Tigers to allow everyone the chance to play football. We also entered two adult social netball teams in the local Surf Coast Shire competition, championed by Megan Atkinson.
What was most exciting through the year was the club’s efforts to enter an All-Abilities netball team. While we did not get the numbers for a standalone team, through the work completed by Amber Potter, we provided 3 motivated people the opportunity to play in a combined team with the Geelong West Giants. The club continues to employ the mantra of providing the opportunity and environment for everyone who wants to play a place to play, and this appears to be attractive to many new members.
Our Netballers led the way on the court with 5 teams making finals for the Winter competition with ‘Danger’ coached by Mel Bragge, moving through to the Grand Final after finishing on top of the ladder. Unfortunately, the season was cancelled before they could play off for the title.
Financially the club remains in a very healthy position. As we have no paid positions and do not have to pay senior players etc., we have been able to reinvest all income from membership fees, sponsors and merchandise sales back into the club. Our Sponsors and Members have been fantastic over this season which sets the Suns up for the 2022 season.
We continue to build our relationships with other sporting clubs who we play with, but also clubs who we share facilities to combine our common goals. You will notice work being completed on the Northern side (Soccer) of the Grant Pavilion. It is our aim to have similar work completed on the Southern side supporting our growth with additional change rooms and storage, but also provide the Suns with social rooms.
As I mentioned above, everyone who is involved at the Suns is a volunteer. I’d again like to thank our committee, our coaches, team managers and all our parent helpers who keep the club ticking along. I have said several times, it may take a village to raise a child, but it takes our whole community to run our club. As we grow, we will need more people to get involved in whatever capacity they may, so you have a skill set or like getting out in the fresh air, get your Working with Children’s Check and step forward.
Thank You to everyone involved in supporting the club through the 2021 the season. Looking forward to making 2022 the best season for everyone.