Hello Rovers Families,
What a footy season 2021 has been. As we wrap up the season and begin to prepare for what we hope to be an action packed 2022, I wanted to take a moment to provide some congratulations and give some thanks.
My congratulations to the Melbourne Football Club on winning this year’s AFL Premiership. The win was made even more special with former Hampton Rovers Juniors players in the Melbourne squad. Christian Salem (L), Angus Brayshaw (C), and Jayden Hunt (R) are all part of Melbourne’s team. Here they are with their Hampton Rovers U16 coach, Ron Verma, as well as Melbourne’s coach, Simon Goodwin. I’m pretty sure that Ron dropped a few tips to Goodi to help secure the Premiership!
My second congratulations go to Matilda Clarkson who has taken home the Most Valuable Player Award for the SMJFL Interleague U15 Girls Div 1 Team. Matilda has proven herself to be just as valuable for her HRJ team as she is for the SMJFL team. Well done Matilda. We are all very proud of your efforts.
Belated congratulations to the Hampton Rovers Women’s Senior team. The Women’s team finished on the top of the ladder, with Stephanie Peacock topping the competition’s goal kicking ladder and third in the competition’s Best and Fairest. Our U19 boys also had a successful year finishing second on the ladder, with Joey Wilson winning the competition goal kicking and Ben Marron finished third in the Best and Fairest. Well done everyone.
Now is the time to reflect on our 2021 season. While we were only able to play nine games this season, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, I would like to thank all the volunteers who gave there all during the shortened season. It could have been on game day, or in the background to ensure we could get as much out of the season as possible. Without your support we wouldn’t be able to get our seasons off the ground. Thank you.
My thanks also to all of our players who hit their 50 game and 100 game milestones this year. While delayed for many of you, and celebrated in a different way, your passion for the game is clear. Congrats again.
Now to our Committee, who have done, and continue to do, a massive amount of work behind the scenes to ensure the season gets underway and runs as smoothly as possible. It would be impossible to keep the Club running, especially over the past two seasons, without the dedication of this team.
Three of our dedicated Committee members have chosen to step down from their roles at the end of this season after giving their valuable time over many seasons. My thanks go to:
- Kate Robb – Kate has undertaken a number of key roles over the past few years. Most recently, she has led the charge of raising valuable funds for the Club through grants and has revamped our canteens with a new team and the new Healthy Choices Eating Program. Thank you, Kate.
- Lara Tascone – Lara has been our events and social coordinator for the past three years. Lara helped organize and run many of our events, including the Mid-Year Ball, Comedy for a Cause, and all those brilliant Pie Nights for our junior teams. She has given so much to this volunteer role. Thank you, Lara.
- Paul ‘Caggs’ Carrigan – Caggs has decided it is time for him to step back from the committee and as our Head of Football. Caggs has been a driving force behind our footy programs, as well as our Club Values and Culture. Caggs has put in a huge amount of time on gradings, finding coaches, and liaising with SMJFL. He has made a massive contribution to the Club over the years. I can’t thank him enough. Thank you Caggs. We will miss you on the Committee, but I know you won’t be far away.
To all our sponsors – a massive thank you for sticking by the Club again. In what’s been another tough year for local businesses, our sponsors have been there. Our major Club sponsors, Buxton Sandringham Real Estate and Brighton Mazda, have been great – thank you. Please make sure you check our sponsors page and support the businesses that support your Club.
Finally, a thanks to all of you. We have had two upside down years, but you have all stuck by the club. We’ll be in touch when we start planning the 2022 season.
Take care – Go Rovers
Rohan Bardwell
President
Hampton Rovers Juniors
Passion – Teamwork – Fun – Respect
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