The North Ringwood Football Club is an amazing community to be part of.
I’ve been part of the club for over 15 years and have had the honour of being President for the past 4 years.
After 4 years at the helm, it is time for me to stand down and allow the next person to continue the next exciting chapter of the NRFC.
The past 4 years have been extremely challenging, but also rewarding in many aspects.
As President, myself and the committee have overseen the development of Quambee with new Ovals, new lights, new changerooms and surrounds.
We have also seen the implementation of a womans side who won the premiership in their first season, as well as watching our senior mens team continue to fight hard in Premier division.
The improvement in 2021 was obvious, with the foundation of a very strong list. Lots of youth, with the mix of fantastic older players led by our impressive coach Robbie Nahas.
I have no doubt if we keep the majority of the list together over the coming years, the improvement with continue in 2022 and beyond. (majority of list is signed for 2022).
Off field, we have been working extremely hard to put the club back in a strong financial position. All this will be explained at the AGM by the Treasurer.
Considering what the past 2 season have been like with Covid and the lack of football, it has been an amazing achievement by the committee.
Clubs don’t run without fantastic committee’s.
There is many many hours of work and time put in to run a football club the size of NRFC.
Id like to thank Mick Tudor, Dean Philpots, Phil Harris, Peter Stephens, Mark Jonas, Nathan Payne, Jamie Roberts, Mark Fenton, Kellie Taylor, Tammie Palmer and Cath Moss for there support, friendship and hard work over the past few years.
Outside the committee, we have so many people that help.
I’d like to personally thank Peter Graham, Ian Jones, Neil Cooper and Joe Tunstall for their ongoing support and help over the years.
I’d also like to thank the many of our life members and supporters who make both our home and away games special with their support and attendance. I honestly believe we have the best supporter base in the Eastern Football League.
Without Sponsors, the club cant function.
Our sponsors have continued to support us over the past 18 months, which has helped us enormously.
Thankyou to all of our sponsor. Your sponsorship means everything to the club.
Our principal sponsor Matt Bellizia from Mt Data and major sponsors Steve Wootten from Dynamic Retail Solutions, Brett Moyle from Home Loan Saint and Peter Appleby from The Grand Hotel, thankyou for your support, friendship and guidance over the past 4 years. I look forward to working with you over the coming years.
I watch our playing group like a proud parent. I ride the rollercoaster of emotions with them every single game. The highs of a win and the lows of a loss. The concern when there looks like a serious injury and the joys of reliving a close win with a laugh and a beer afterwards.
Because there OUR players. They pull on the Saints jumper and play for us, themselves and the community. That’s what playing for North Ringwood means.
They have shown me support and respect over the years and I look forward to watching them play on Bayswater Oval in September very soon.
I’d like to thank my wife Louise and my 3 daughters, who have shared me with the footy club for the past 4 years. Their love and ongoing support has been appreciated.
And Finally :
When I knew I wasn’t going to continue earlier in the year, I started looking for my successor or additions to the 2022 committee.
I believe when you leave a position like President, you have some responsibility to try to find someone that will continue to take the club in the right direction.
I realise and appreciate that the President and committee is elected by the members, which will be decided early next month.
Steve Wootten is putting his hand up for NRFC President. He has a plan, personal ready to join the committee, along with the support of the existing committee.
Steve is an extremely successful business person, a wonderful family man, major sponsor of the senior football club, sponsor of the junior club and has been part of the NRFC for over 40 years.
I will supporting Steve and his ticket for the upcoming AGM.
The Saints will continue to grow in 2022 and beyond.
Kind Regards
Lee Robinson
