Auction Night – 2 July 2008

Thank you for coming to a very important event in the NOBSPC Social Calender. In particular thankyou for our sporting celebrities who have taken time to prepare and attend this event.

Before I start I would also like to acknowledge our special supporters, and former players and administrators

Thank you to our life members Margret O’Toole and Pat and Harry Leigh

To former coaches and Presidents

  • Ray Kelsey B&F 1964 and ass coach 1962
  • Bob Spurling – Captain Coach 1967-68 & 72-73 (Hon Life member)
  • George Maloney – Ass Coach 74-76 – Senior 77-78 – Asss 1986 (Hon Life member)

Former Presidents

  • Damien Maguire 80-82 and played for over 15 years
  • Stephen Maule 1983-85 – played 10 years (Club 18 B&F named after Stephen)
  • Tony Duggan – 1988-93 (Hon Life member)
  • Dennis Fogarty – 1994-95 – 15 years – 200 game player (Hon Life member)
  • Dom Perrone 1996 – 99 – 200 game player (Hon Life member)

This event would not have been possible without the time and effort of Adam Crameri and his Committee – Jack Nihill, Sam O’Connor, David & Chris Stribley, Chris Ford, Brendan Sheehan, Simon Harwood, Scott Sleep, Chris Dobson, Chris Hosking, Glenn Maxton and Matt Perry.

Season 2008

Last year we initiated a review of all operations of the football club, both internal and external. This process identified many new initiatives as a result of many committee meetings and most importantly interviews with some 50 players.

These initiatives have formed the basis for the conduct all activities this year, for example:

  • Pre-season the players said they wanted more variety – both Terry and John responded with the hiring of specialist fitness coaches John Chappell and venues – such as the hockey centre for Monday/Wednesday and “boot camp” Saturday mornings with Paramount Fitness. This resulted in 25-40 players on each night. Last year we were lucky to get 20 in March.
  • Players wanted more input – Terry responded by recruiting Steve Hibbert, Mark Hannebury, John Noonan, Paul Kearny + Chairman of selectors Trevor Fell. Although recently mocked as the only coaching panel that needs a mini bus to get onto the ground nonetheless all players have benefited from these former players input and experience.
  • Social – players wanted a calendar of events in advance. From a budgeting and income perspective the revival of past years successful events such as Coterie luncheon and Auction nights from 2006 had to be placed back on the agenda. Scott Sleep and Chris Dobson have been instrumental in preparing events such as Ladies Day with over 130 women in attendance, the biggest yet. Scott and Chris are busy planning for the “Icon event” with a similar venue to last years Cloud 89 event most likely conducted on the Saturday 9 August.
  • To the return of the RACV coterie luncheon for past members, players and supporters. The club took the opportunity in the 150th year of AFL football to honor 56 of our past players who played in excess of 150 games. This day raised some $9000.
  • With the assistance of Simon and Chris Harwood input we have been able to put on a supporter luncheon for 40 people. At this event we also entertained a contingent from St.Pats with Mark Waddington, Peter Casey (Principle), and former players Jock Lardner (1963 St.Pats Grand final side) and Brian Carney. This resulted in the St.Pats Old Collegians now becoming an Alliance Sponsor. Further the St.Pats Class of 71 now want a luncheon on the last home game – this class consists of Steve Bracks and Mark Nolan CEO of Exon Mobile Australasia.
  • This event will also be an opportunity for the St.Pats Premiership side of 1963 to meet with the NOB’s Premierships sides of 1964 and 65.
  • Scholarship for a Year 11 and 12 students from St. Josephs College with the awarding of this to U19 player Josh Minenko.
  • Appointment of recruiting Committee with Chairmen Michael Barker. This Committee has been instrumental in targeting and identifying players such as Assistant Playing Coach Matty Keown from Sandhurst not to mention the rest of the recruits with over 50% of the senior side new from 2007.
  • Development of a budget and targets for each area such as sponsorship, bar, canteen, membership. This year’s budget is forecast to be in excess of $110,000 – major expenses are VAFA affiliation fees at $21,000, Council rent of grounds + expenses at $10,000. In comparison an A Grade Amateur side turnover is around $200-250,000.
  • Budgets for sponsorship have been exceeded with this year we have accumulated some $34,000 from Major, Gold, and Silver, Alliance, Club 300 and 100 members. We also have this year our first Major sponsor from St.Pats, being Lee Irafrate who is a very passionate St.Pats football personality. I thank all of those sponsors who have generously donated their money.
  • Clubs online – A special thanks goes to Tony Duggan who was instrumental in obtaining our use of this software, which has been specifically developed for the management of sporting clubs. It enables club members to pay online all items from memberships, to apparel to sponsorships and to events such as tonight.
  • It has also enabled ease of contact with all members. The compilation of various databases of players, past members from a number of sources into the one database has enabled the Club to contact 615 people each week with both upcoming game & events and on Monday morning with each team’s results. This has also been important in re-engaging with our numerous past players and members on a weekly basis.
  • Workplan – this has been developed which now sets out in calendar form activities that have to be completed for each month. Now compiled it reveals that the essentially a football club is an all year round entity, with only October free of obligations.

In summary from the initiatives listed above we have made a great start to season 2008. The commitment from players and committee clearly identifies that the use of the term “Amateur” should only applied to the name of the competition– everything else associated with the operation of the club has to be conducted on a professional basis. So far this has been reflected in our success both on and off the field.

Conclusion

For those who may not have seen us play last year, the reason for the success is not about being in an lower division, as last year seniors side would also not be competitive in D1, but it is about renewed enthusiasm and commitment from everyone associated with this club.

The combination of these initiatives I consider to be one of the fundamental reasons why we have been successful so far this year. From a players and member’s perspective they can see that the club has adopted a more professional approach in the conduct of all activities, be it coaching, social, sponsorship to right down to simple but fundamental items such as improved financial management.

There have been far too many players over these past 26 years that have contributed their entire playing careers to this Club, without playing in a final, grand final and reaching the pinnacle of being acknowledged as a premiership “player” and part of a premiership team.

We have an opportunity for all sides to play finals football and indeed be a real threat to winning a Premiership and I am sure everyone in this room will assist the Club in this endeavour. Such opportunities do not come around every year and it’s been a long time since 1982.

It’s your club and your support both tonight and throughout the rest of 2008 is fundamental to the Clubs success.

Remember “Don’t book holidays in September”

Trevor Ludeman
PRESIDENT NOBSPC