2023 President’s Report

Ladies and gentlemen, players, coaches, supporters, and fellow members of our St Gerard’s Netball Club.

Good afternoon all and thank you all so much for taking the time to come and support the club.

As I was preparing this report, I reflected on the season of 2023 and my first year as President of a sports club. It was an adventure shall we say.

It was fun, it was heart breaking, it was challenging but I think beyond all of that it was a year of learning.

Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and pride as the President of this remarkable netball club. I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering commitment to our club's values and for making it the incredible community that it is today.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated coaches, who tirelessly invest their time and expertise in our players. You shape the future of our club, fostering the skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship that make us who we are. Your passion and dedication are the driving force behind our success.

To our talented players, you are the lifeblood of this club. Your hard work, determination, and endless enthusiasm make our club thrive. Whether we win or lose, remember that it's the lessons learned on the court that truly matter. You are not only athletes but also ambassadors of our values, and I am immensely proud of each one of you.

Our club wouldn't be the same without the dedicated volunteers and supporters who fill the stands at every game, cheering us on in every win and loss. Your enthusiasm and unwavering support inspire our players to give their all. We appreciate your efforts, and you are an integral part of our success.

And to the committee and executive who have invested countless hours on not only delivering all that work that is required to allow the club to run but the unwavering commitment to strive to make us a better organisation.

As a club, we have faced our fair share of challenges and triumphs but as we all know it is through these experiences that we learn, grow, and adapt.

I think it is also important at times like these to pause and reflect on why we exist as a club and what legacy we might leave during our brief moment in its history.

I believe that as a club we must continue to set and example for our children and strive for inclusivity.

That means moving forward a commitment and a plan to support 3 distinct groups.

1.     Our able-bodied players of ALL ages who complete in our standard weekend competition. How do we encourage and promote the players and the families that are the backbone of this club and build on that community supporting the ideals of netball NSW and Netball Australia. This means brining new players into the game and our club and uniting players by listening and growing and encouraging the principles of our club.

2.     Those players who have demonstrated potential and have in interest in striving for higher levels of achievement in the sport. Making sure that we don’t lose our best players to other clubs because we as an organisation are seen not to support and develop them. While this is normally around players, I think we should apply the same principles around our volunteers and support people.

3.     A-Typical players, families, supporters, and volunteers. How do we as a cub promote inclusion who may struggle with both mental and physical challenges that may not allow them to be representative players or A badge umpires. Inclusivity is a fundamental pillar of our club.

We aim to welcome individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of their age, gender, or background. Netball is more than a sport; it's a community that unites us all. Together, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued.

We still have work to do on all 3 areas but the committee is committed to working towards delivering better outcomes in all 3 of these areas.

I would like to also call out a very special thanks to our sponsors:

Bendigo Bank

The Epping Club

Streeton Lawyers

Carlingford Physio

We rely so heavily on our sponosrs to provide what is needed for the club and encourage anyone who might be interested to chat about the opportunities to sponsor the club next season with a range of options.

I think one of the other challenges we face, in that we don’t have enough volunteers within the ranks for the club. That means the work falls across too few. It has been a heavy commitment in terms of balancing a portfolio on the committee in the past,  so for 2024 we ae creating a structure that better supports our volunteers.

Rather than 6 big bang portfolios, smaller more manageable roles.

Could I encourage you to put your hand up for one of these roles or at least to assist. Whether it is taking on the responsibility or putting your hand up to help, the more we get involved the more we can achieve as a club.

I am excited to see our club continually evolving, embracing new opportunities, and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve. Let us continue to strive for excellence and reach even greater heights.

Moving forward, I encourage all of you to keep fostering a sense of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and dedication. Let's continue to uphold the values that have defined our club throughout the years. Support each other both on and off the court, and let's continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those in our community.

Now, as you would have seen recently the survey sent out that covered a few topics and thank you for those who responded and for the conversations that happened across whatsapp and etc. One of those items for consideration I wanted to discuss specifically is the consideration of whether the club would remain with ERNA or HDNA.

Rather than leave to the AGM, while I still have more people present I will share the outcome of that. For the 2024 season we will be staying with ERNA. I know that will disappoint some of our St Gerads families, but I think given that the representative cycle has already started, the committee believes we should remain committed to those players who are part of that process for the next season. We will continue to work and consult with the members of the club moving forward about what 2025 looks like throughout the year.

In conclusion, I am honored to be part of this remarkable club, and I am excited about the journey that lies ahead. Together, we can accomplish great things and continue to be a force in the world of netball. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for making our club what it is today. Let's move forward with enthusiasm, unity, and a shared determination to reach even greater heights. 

Thank you, and I look forward to another amazing season in 2024

- Craig Snow