PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2020
Where to start? There are many clichés that could be used to explain the 2020 season…
“A year like no other”
“Unprecedented”
“A fight for survival’’
“One week at a time’’
“It is what it is”
“At the end of the day”
Back in December, when planning starts for the Committee, the tougher questions usually worked through are who might coach, who will manage, which social events will we plan, which teams are short on numbers? Not in our wildest dreams could anyone have ever imagined we would be thrown a curveball like we were back in March. The thought of managing a pandemic is definitely not on any checklist or committee agenda for community sporting organisations. Thankfully though we were well informed and well guided by AFL Sydney and N.S.W Health. As a result of the pandemic the AFL community, like so many, did it tough with extensive job losses and funding cuts across all areas. The team within AFL Sydney Juniors were not immune to this and they did a fantastic job navigating complex updates from the health authorities. Without their dedication a season doesn’t go ahead. A massive thank you to Simon, Daniel, Alex and the rest of the AFL Sydney Juniors team.
By managing to get in 9 rounds plus finals I got the sense that everyone was well pleased with this given what it could have been. Despite the challenges, I am so very grateful for the support of the Westbrook community. From the resumption of modified small group training, to reduced attendance at games and no presentation day to celebrate at the end of the season- everyone has banded together to accept our new normality and make it through season 2020 with minimal disruption. To our Coaches & Managers- a big thank you for all of your tireless work, preparation and extra management that was thrust upon you this year. Every single one of you took it in your stride and got on with it.
To my fellow Committee members- a typical season doesn’t happen without your dedication and hard work. This season especially meant extra work behind the scenes. Countless Zoom meetings, emails at all hours and then a rush to finalise teams, the draw and playing gear.
To our new Westbrook players and families, we hope you enjoyed your first season with our club and we look forward to seeing you again next year.
To our players in their final season of junior sport, thank you for making Westbrook your club of choice. We hope you take with you fond memories and remember you’re always welcome back at Mike Kenny Oval.
Measures of Success
We pride ourselves as a club on involvement, retention and loyalty. This season a number of players achieved personal milestones: 1 player reaching 150 games, 3 reaching 100, 17 reaching 50 and a further 2 have reached 10 years’ service for our club. We have enhanced our player experience by having 5 of a possible 15 teams in competitive age groups make finals with 2 of these teams winning premierships. We have also encouraged players to extend themselves by participating in representative football squads and seeking selection in the various Academies while still enjoying the mateship of club football. It is through this environment that we have nurtured recent players to excel at the highest level and at the same time allowed enjoyment for our broader playing group.
Mike Kenny Oval
The #upgradegreenway Federal Government grant has been partially completed. The top oval resurfacing work was completed prior to the commencement of the season and towards the back end of the season the community centre and club rooms began to take shape. By the time season 2021 starts, we will have access to these new rooms. Exciting times ahead for our social events, game days and committee meetings. A big thanks to Perry Waldron and Jeff Hardman for liaising with Phil Hare and the upgrade Greenway project team.
Off the field
DreamBuild returned as our major sponsor to the club. A huge thank you to Steve and Pieta Macri for their generosity. In a year many businesses did it tough DreamBuild stayed with us. Additionally, we thank Alan from Alan Oxford Plumbing and Electrical who generously came on-board as a drink bottle sponsor. Thank you as well to the following Westbrook sponsors in 2020:
Alliances
Our Alliance teams in Youth football remained strong in 2020. Northern Lights (Westbrook & Hornsby-Berowra) and North West Lightning (Westbrook, Hornsby-Berowra, Pennant Hills). My thanks to Paul Stafford (Hornsby-Berowra) and Steve Protogeros (Pennant Hills) for their continued support and commitment to the Alliances this year.
Towards 2021
As the state and country continue to manage Covid-19, uncertainty still exists on what to expect for next season. A full slate of games with social distancing and contract tracing measures in place is ideal and likely if we all continue to do our part.
As a club, our ethos is that many hands make light work. We have some fantastic people already involved but we are always on the lookout for extra support. If you have some spare time, a love of the game or are just learning the rules we invite you to join us to take an active role in the club next season. Together we can continue to build upon the solid foundations and grow Westbrook for the players of the future. At the heart of any community sporting club is its’ volunteers- something we truly believe and know is alive and well at Westbrook.
We will continue to reinvest funds into Canteen Management, Ground Management, Auskick support, Administration & Volunteer Management to allow our key personnel to spend their valuable time on strategy and seeing their own kids play a little more often.
To the committee members: thank you for your support and dedication in getting us through another successful year! And finally, to our 2020 major club award winners we extend a very big thank you to each of you for your tireless contributions. The club as a whole thanks you for all that you have done!
Mark Lean-Fore
President