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Club Sponsor Profile – Steve Wootten

Published on by Phil Harris

 

Hi Sainters

For local footy clubs to thrive & survive, it takes special people to volunteer their time and special people to sponsor clubs and the NRFC are so grateful that Steve Wootten is both.

Steve has been a “Major Sponsor” at our club for a few years now, with his business logo for “Dynamic Retail Solutions” sitting proudly on the sleeve of our brand new Club Polos for 2021 and also for the second year on the back of our Senior Women’s Jumpers.

In his own words, “I am silly enough to own two companies in Dynamic Retail Solutions & Crew Services Group Australia and luckily enough for our club, Steve is silly enough to have both businesses sponsoring our club!

Both businesses are built around Steve’s first job as a teenage when he landed a job at Coles Supermarkets in 1986 as a trolley boy after school and on weekends. Before he knew it, Steve had clocked up 21 Years at Coles, with 12 of those years at Coles Myer Head Office in Senior Management roles.

So in 2008 after 21 Years with the Coles/Myer Group, Steve started up both businesses in the retail industry in sectors that he knows quite a bit about, even though he admits with a smile on his face, “Some would argue against that point”.

“Dynamic Retail Solutions” is a business where they teach small to medium size Aussie companies how to get their products on the shelves of retailers in Australia and abroad. The business employs predominantly ex-buyers that understand what the buying fraternity are looking for and coach manufactures how to get their products “retail ready” before they present the products on their behalf to the buyers.

“Crew Services Group” is a National merchandising company that employs approx 1100 people around Australia and has gone through a rapid growth period in the last 5 years working for companies such as Woolworths, Bunning’s’  Officeworks, Dan Murphy’s & BWS just to name a few offering their services in Retail & Commercial Store Refits, Planogram Implementation, POS Audits & Implementation, Merchandising and Brand Ambassadors with their mission to “Provide their customers & Crew Members with the most exceptional experience.

The Wootten Family have a long standing association with the NRFC, going back to 1978 when Steve joined our Junior Club back in its first year. Steve’s 3 younger brothers also played at the Junior Club and knowing they were going to be there for some time with 4 boys, Steve’s parents become heavily involved with the club being active on the Junior Committee for many years, with his Dad, Norm becoming Club President and his Mum, Betty becoming the Secretary in the 80’s. Unfortunately Steve did not consider himself good enough to play at our Senior Club and due to Steve’s business career taking off, he didn’t have the time to commit to what was required by the Senior Coach, so is happy to admit he became “an exceptional bench warmer in the 2’s at Croydon North”. Steve later joined Mt Lilydale for their first season in 1997 staying there till 2004.

Moving forward to 2012, Steve, Wife Jacki and their 4 children, Summer, Jesse, Mahli and Cleo moved back to the North Ringwood area and 8 years after hanging up his boots and winding up a stella football career, the family was back on the Junior oval with Jesse starting with our Auskick and not being able to sit still or take a backseat, Steve & Jacki stuck their hands up to help volunteer their time taking on roles like the “Chef cook’s of the BBQ”, whipping up a mean sausage in bread! Daughter Summer played in the first Under 12 Girls team and son Jesse has played since Auskick and is currently in our Under 11A’s side, which he is very proud of. Jesse also plays for the North Ringwood Bulls Cricket Club in the Under 12’s, who were also Runners Ups this season. Basically you will see the Wootten tribe most weekends at either North Ringwood or Quambee Reserve.

Steve was asked, “Why do you enjoy most about being part of our Saints Family and Community”? With his hand on heart, Steve replied, “I mentioned to Jacki, that as a Club, the North Ringwood Community would embrace our family and likewise we should embrace the club and the best way I would like to do this, is to sponsor both the Juniors & the Seniors and also the Senior Women’s sides”. Steve also went on to say, “They had made some terrific friends at the club and have been made to feel very welcome by everyone there”.

Steve, Jacki along with their businesses, Dynamic Retail Solutions & Crew Services Group are now major Sponsors of both the Junior & Senior clubs and you will always see their Son, Jesse, chatting with all the coaches, Senior Players and families around the club. Steve did also mention that you will always see his kids hanging around his back pocket to get money to go to the canteen also! lol.

Steve along with everything else he does for our club has also very generously put on and sponsored and will also host the Senior Clubs “2021 Season Launch”.

No words will ever be enough to be able to thank Steve and his family’s passion for our club and what they have contributed to help our club get to where we are today.

The NRFC are honoured and privilege to have the Wootten Family as part of our wonderful community.

We now know all about Dynamic Retail Solutions & Crew Services Group and an insight to the Wootten’s involvement with our club, but I am pretty sure there will be a few things in the below “30 Seconds with Steve” that you didn’t know about him!

Enjoy!!

What AFL Team do you support? – The Mighty Hawks

Favourite Holiday destination? – Broome by a mile, an amazing place

What was your favourite toy as a kid? – My Dragster

What is your favourite love song? – Anything by Air Supply, went to their last concert, who wouldn’t!

Which TV sitcom family would you like to be part of? – Full House

If you could trade lives with someone, who would it be? – Dermie. I played for the Hawks on the G in a corporate game and wore my Dermie wig back in 2015

If you could be part of one event from history, which one would it be? – Muhammad Ali – Rumble in the Jungle

What would you like to be talented at? – Playing the Saxophone

Who is the most annoying person at the club you would like the cops to arrest? – Phil Harris

What is your favourite pizza topping? – Meat Lovers

Where was the most inappropriate/embarrassing place you farted? – over the speaker at Coles, Chirnside Park

Do you remember your Wedding Date? – A cracking day on 24/11/07. The day Kev 07 beat little Johnny Howard, even though Howard was the best l have seen

How would you spend your last $100? – A slab of Carlton Dry for me, a bottle of bubbles for Jacki and some softies for the kids

 

Cheers Steve, Jacki & the Wootten Family, you are legends of our club!

Season Launch with Campbell Brown & Tom Siegert “The Suburban Footballer” – Friday April 9th

Published on by Phil Harris

DATE: FRIDAY 9TH APRIL 2021
LOCATON:QUAMBEE RESERVE
TIME: 4.30 – 8.30PM
DRESS: SMART CASUAL
MC AND COMEDIAN: “THE SUBURBAN FOOTBALLER- TOM SIEGERT”
GUEST SPEAKER: “HAWTHORN PREMIERSHIP PLAYER & INAUGURAL GOLD COAST TEAM MEMBER – ALL ROUND
HARD-NUT CAMPBELL BROWN”
Also speaking will be our Senior Coach, and Seniors Captain,
Robbie Nahas and Aaron Fenton, as they take us through the
season ahead, and give us insight into the pre-season and a
few nuggets that we can look forward to.

Sponsored and hosted by Steve Wootten – Dynamic Retail
Solutions, in conjunction with the NRFC Committee

• Tickets are on sale now for $150pp which includes beer, wine, soft drink and finger food.
• All profit proceeds from the day go directly to the Club
Register your intent on attending to kerry@dynamicretail.com.au

North Ringwood Football Club
BSB 633000
ACC 153661673
THERE ARE ONLY 80 TICKETS AVAILABLE so it will be first in best dressed!

Match Reports Round 14 v South Croydon

Published on by Joe Tunstall

 

Aaron Fenton Saints BOG on Saturday.

Photo courtesy Wes Langmaid – Arena Photography

Seniors:

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
South Croydon 3.8-26 8.10-58 16.14-110 22.19-151
North Ringwood 1.2-8 6.5-41 6.7-43 7.9-51
Goal Kickers: J. Whelan 2, M. Cullinan, M. Apeness, A. Miles, N. Lowden, A. Fenton
Best Players: A. Fenton, M. Kakaflikas, K. Eliott, A. Miles, J. Whelan, M. Locco
Welcome to Josh Matthews from the Under 19’s playing his first senior game for North
Ringwood.
The sun was out, ground in good condition and no wind, a perfect day for football. My
apologies this week for the short match report as I am only reporting on the first half. After
half time we did not turn up for the rest of the game and that half can be best described in 3
words “we were smashed!”.
We started the first quarter well with multiple early entries into our 50, but had some
inaccurate shots at goal. Mick Apeness kicked our first goal for the match at the 6 minute
mark after receiving a free kick due to his 3 opponents being all over him. South Croydon
started to get their running game going and a lot of the first quarter was then played in their
forward half. We were able to put a lot of pressure on their forwards which saw them score
multiple points. Matthew Kakaflikas and Michael Locco were standing strong on the back
line repelling many forward thrusts. Unfortunately our delivery out of defence was hurried
on many occasions and we gifted the ball back to our opponents who had many re-entries
into the 50. We were still a point in front at the 19 minute mark, however South Croydon
kicked 2 late goals to give them the points for the quarter.
We came out in the second quarter with 2 quick goals in the first 2 minutes. A great mark
and goal to Matt Cullinan and a team lifting running goal from Aaron Fenton. Our intensity
had lifted and we were tackling hard in this quarter. We were playing some of our best
football for the season. Further goals to Jack Whelan, Nick Lowden and then a great
contested mark and goal by Adam Miles at the 18 minute mark saw us 7 points in front.
South Croydon then challenged us kicking a goal at the 21 minute mark and then another 3
quick unanswered goals in red time. We had stopped running and were not manning up.
After having the momentum for most of the quarter it was quickly totally taken away from
us and that was to be the end of our effort and the match.

Special mention to Aaron Fenton who ran his guts out all day with his never give up attitude.
He was well supported by Jack Whelan, Matt Kakaflikas and Michael Locco who all
contributed during the match. Kyle Eliott again showed through his great leap and
athleticism that his ruck work is continuing to improve and he is becoming a menace to
many opposition ruckmen.
It’s going to be a hard week preparing for our strong opponent Blackburn. Train hard boys,
stick together and let’s now focus positively on next week.

Go Saints!

Report by: Neil Sheppard

 

Reserves:
South Croydon 3.2-20 7.5-47 9.6-60 11.8-74
North Ringwood 2.3-15 2.5-17 7.7-49 9.7-61
Goal Kickers: J. Hollingsworth 3, A. Sharp 2, J. Hoegel, M. Sheppard, D. Wood, T. Nathan
Best Players: M. Sheppard, A. Goldsmith, W. Lyall, J. Hollingsworth, J. Tyler, A. Glassborow
 
 We took on South Croydon away on Saturday.
We welcomed into the squad 9 of the u/19s players. It gave the group some real excitement and
strength in numbers which was fantastic for the group.
We also had a number of players that had returned to squad after injury or being away, with a
special mention to Josh O’Brien returning to footy after missing over a year. Well done mate.
With all this in mind, we went into the game with confidence and a full squad – and gave ourselves a
great opportunity.
Our first quarter was very solid. We were tough at the contest and were able to move the footy up
the ground in the manner we wanted. This in turn created goal opportunities. Some of the work
across half back from Jake Tyler was good, and Liam, Ash, Tommy and Jordan gave us opportunity
through the centre.
We went in at 1qtr time right in the contest. Unfortunately, the 2nd quarter we went away from the
way we had been playing and didn’t work the footy up the ground, rather kicked to their wall. The
result was they kicked 4 goals to our 0.
We discussed this at half time and refocused on playing our brand.
The results were immediate kicking 5 goals to 2 in the third and taking control of the game. Mitch
Heckley into the midfield mix gave us some x factor, and our runoff the wings was a real drive
forward.
The last quarter, we kicked the first 2 goals and hit the lead and I thought we were going to take the
game. However; South Croydon were able to get 1 back and slow the game. Although we had a lot of
the ball we could not penetrate forward and get the lead back. A couple fantastic efforts in the last
quarter from Aidan Glassborow topped off a good game for him.
Fantastic effort from the boys, and I could see they were hurting after the game. To come together
and play so well was a credit to the group. A win is not far off – keep believing boys.
Go Saints.
Paul O’Callaghan – Reserves Coach.
  
 
Senior Women:
 
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Templestowe 0.0 0.1-1 0.1-1 0.1-1
North Ringwood 6.1-37 11.5-71 15.9-99 17.12-114
Goal Kickers: M. Gilmore 3, L. Harris 3, W. Chelsea 2, T. Deane 2, A. Harris, A. Moore, J. Russell, J. van Unen, K. McCormack, J. Lane, S. Wood
Best Players: M. Timms, M. Gilmore, J. van Unen, W. Chelsea, A. Marshall, L. Peacock
It was a cracker of a day at Templestowe reserve this week, where we welcomed a few players back from injury.
It was lovely to see Jorja van Unen back on the field after a long time off with concussion, we’ve missed her attack and run in the middle and she didn’t let us down, even her first goal celebration was full of energy and joy.
Chelsea Willis was another player welcomed back from injury, and in a great Coaching move was thrown forward where she kicked two goals, she showed no signs of changing her style of play that has earned her the bonecrusher nickname.
Timmsy had a fair dip in the middle and was able to break form the congestion with speed and power starting many forward entries, as did Abbey Marshall, who has great leg speed and attacks the ball head on, Abbey rebounded the ball many times from the half back and wing using her speed and forward position to outplay her opponent every time.
With our engine room humming it was great to see our running game get going, Lily is one of our late recruits and she was able to show her elite speed this week several times bursting away from the packs, as did Jas and Eliza.
Down forward Jess and Sherie scored some nice goals as well as the Skipper who kicked three in a half of footy.
The dynamo Mel Gilmore continued her merry way with another three-goal haul from her, and no doubt shell be fined for stealing one on the goal line.
Jacinta got on the scoreboard on her return game, she always seems to bob up with a strong mark when needed and plays a true Centre half forward role so well.
As our year has progressed and our players are showing improvement each week I’m glad to say that our expectations on players is growing also, they are developing in their confidence game as well as learning positional tactics and team play.
We are at home this week at 8:30 so please come down and get behind our Women’s team in their second last game of the normal season.
Under 19s July 20 v Noble Park
 
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Noble Park 2.3-15 4.4-28 9.7-61 10.7-67
North Ringwood 0.0 4.1-25 4.4-28 6.7-43
 
Goal Kickers: J. Povey 3, J. Bell, J. Ireland, T. Godfrey
Best Players: M. Heckley, J. Povey, N. Lowden, J. Murfett, J. Ireland, M. Trotto
 
 
Vets 21 July v Wantirna South
 
       
North Ringwood 0.0 0.0 0.0 13.6-84
Wantirna South 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1-1
NORTH RINGWOOD
Goal Kickers: P. Wheatley 3, D. Adams 2, W. Draper 2, D. Walls 2, C. Zupanovich, D. Abel, R. Coutts, C. Jewell
Best Players: C. Pardo, S. Garrett, J. Parker, R. Coutts, D. Grantham, D. Adams
 
 

Match Report Round 9 v Vermont

Published on by Joe Tunstall

Seniors:

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Vermont 3.6-24 8.9-57 15.12-102 23.14-152
North Ringwood 2.0-12 2.3-15 2.7-19 4.7-31
Goal Kickers: J. Hoegel 2, M. Apeness 2
Best Players: S. Whelan, A. Fenton, D. Spurrell, J. Petracca, M. Locco, M. Kakaflikas

Last Saturday we had probably the toughest task in local football,  taking on Vermont at Vermont.
It was also an extremely special day ,  with one of the all time favourites Jayden van Unen playing his 150th game for the North Ringwood Football Club and young Liam Lyall playing his first game in the seniors.  Well done to both lads.
From the first bounce, it was evident the game was going to be played at a frenetic pace.  We started well with Mick Apeness converting two early chances,  to have us slightly behind at 1/4 time.
Our intensity and tackling pressure was fantastic and we were moving the ball well by hand and foot.
We stuck with them first quarter and a half,  then they broke free,  kicking 5 unanswered goals to go in with a 6 goal lead at 1/2 time.
After the 1/2 time break,  it was all one way traffic,  with Vermont kicking 15 of the last 17 goals to run out winners easily.
Better players for us,  were Sammy Whelan, Aaron Fenton, Jules Petracca, Michael Locco, Dylan Spurrell and Mick Apeness.
Half way through the season we sit 3 wins and 6 losses.

 

Reserves:

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Vermont 7.2-44 13.9-87 18.15-123 19.18-132
North Ringwood 2.2-14 3.2-20 3.5-23 6.7-43
Goal Kickers: J. Hollingsworth 2, J. Moss 2, T. Falzon 2
Best Players: A. Goldsmith, A. Sharp, T. Falzon, N. Johnson, J. Moss, B. Marshall, X.Fry, J. Sultana
We took on Vermont on Saturday away.
As per previous years, we knew would be a very tough challenge against an extremely strong
opposition, but felt we were a chance to make a strong contest and maybe sneak a win.
Our first quarter was slow. We were slow to react to their intensity around the footy and some of
our skill errors really let us down.
That being said, we were able to hit the score board and kick 2.2, but gave Vermont too much of an
opportunity to also score.
Our second and third quarters were unfortunately the same on the score board front, with us being
able to score – but Vermont were also able to hit the score board; was just too much in their favour.
The last quarter we set ourselves the goal of winning the quarter and kicking 3 goals.
And we did.
We were able to outscore our opposition and kick 3 goals for the quarter – which is a significant
milestone for the group.
Some of our movement of the footy, change of direction, giving our forwards opportunity and ability
to tempo the game in the last quarter was really strong and shows the group that we have the ability
to play strong (our brand) footy and we can match it with all our competition this year.
Although we lost the game, there were some really strong learning and performances in the game
and I think gives as a strong stepping stone moving forward.
As I have said after recent games, we are not far off our first win for the year – watch this space.
Go Saints.
Paul O’Callaghan, Reserves Coach.
 
Under 19s:
Vermont 1.2-8 4.8-32 7.11-53 12.16-88
North Ringwood 1.1-7 1.1-7 2.1-13 2.4-16
Goal Kickers: J. Murfett, T. Godfrey
Best Players: W. Cuthbertson, J. Matthews, J. Murfett, A. Begg, B. Munks, J. Povey
Senior Women:
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
North Ringwood 3.5-23 5.7-37 6.9-45 8.10-58
Chirnside Park 0.1-1 0.1-1 0.2-2 1.2-8
Goal Kickers: A. Harris 2, L. French, M. Gilmore, T. Deane, J. Conway, J. Sommers, J. Russell
Best Players: R. Pearce, J. Conway, J. van Unen, A. Harris, D. Rushford, E. Stephens