Letter from the President

30 September, 2016

Callum Mills named 2016 nab AFL Rising Star. Callum pictured above with the Rising Star Trophy and wearing the Ron Evans Medal.

Dear Mosman Swans members,

The end of another fantastic season has arrived and so we celebrate the collective performance by all Mosman Swans/WMS teams and the wonderful effort by so many in making this club tick; from pre-season training, through the regular season, finals fixtures, the annual presentation events and so much more behind the scenes.

As a community organisation run entirely by volunteers we have much to be grateful for and much about which to be proud. At the conclusion of the club’s 18^th season the Mosman Swans footy club continues on its positive trajectory in terms of participation, growth, improved facilities, relative financial capacity and quality of provision in terms of our football programs for boys and girls. We celebrate success in its many forms and we embrace the lessons that footy will inevidebly provide in order that we reflect, learn and adsorb. What a year, what a club. Congratulations to all involved!

With two of our number now wearing a Sydney Swans guernsey and with so much talent coming through the ranks, the club is gaining a well-deserved reputation for developing prodigious young talent. Following Callum Mill's extraordinary first year of AFL football, playing 20 games, including a semi-final and yesterday having been named in a Grand Final (the first Mosman Swan in an AFL GF), it has been a delight to observe Callum's rise as a self-assured, confident and skilful footballer at 19 years of age. This club can be proud to have nurtured an AFL Rising Star. Best wishes to Callum and his team mates at the MCG tomorrow!

Callum is congratulated by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan at the Rising Star presentation; and taking flight with has eyes only for the ball in an aerial display that was a regular feature during his first year playing senior AFL footy.

Five years since the inception of our Youth Girls program, 2016 has been watershed season for our girls. Both Youth Girls teams finished the season as minor premiers; Isadora McLeay our first young lady to reach the 100 game milestone (aged 12); and on the eve of the inaugural AFL Women’s League, it was fabulous recognition for the clubs ‘towner of strength’, Erin McKinnon, to be named U18 Youth Girls All Australian ruck and ultimately this clubs 2016 Best & Fairest. Certainly both young footballers are rising stars in their own right.

Whilst we celebrate on-field success, the measure of a successful season is not solely reflected in win/loss, premierships, and personal recognition. This club is successful because its fabric is strong and at the end of the season I am most proud of the contribution this club makes to the broader football community and the community in which we live and impact through our collective actions.

2016 Mosman Swans U18 Youth Girls - great spirit, great footy and so much fun!

Like any organisation the relative strength of a footy club is down to its people and its values. Whilst no organisation can claim to be perfect, we must remain vigilant to ensure our practice matches our promise - in terms of our developmental ‘contract’ with our players, from the first player picked to the last; in terms of on-field and sideline behaviour; the fairness in all our dealings and our interactions with the community and other community groups with whom we engage in the performance of club operations. I am grateful to all who make a contribution to the life of the club in a respectful and positive manner, in the best traditions of the club, the game and junior sport.

In May our wonderful Social Committee (Anna Musson, Meaghan Towey, Rachel Thorley and Coby Miller) organised the fabulous "Gathering of Swans" social event. A great night of colour, great food and fun where members enjoyed each others company.

I'm very proud that due to the generosity of our members on this occasion we raised $8,000 for Bear Cottage Manly. Bear Cottage is the only children's hospice in NSW dedicated to caring for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Truly this club at its best!

In late July I was contacted by former Mosman Swan and 2012 Shore school captain Jackson Fitzpatrick. He told me he was now working in Papunya, a remote Aboriginal community around 250kms NW of Alice Springs. He advised Papunya is an AFL crazed community, having 2 ½ football ovals despite a small population of approximately 300; where footy is played at a fast pace on red dirt ovals and communities travel great distances to play against each other.

Jackson was travelling to Sydney with two young members of the Papunya footy club and asked if we could arrange for the boys to participate in a training session with this club as the boys had never played on grass nor experienced mud. We took up the challenge and arranged for Aben Sandy and Dylan Andy to become WMS registered players and ensured they joined (respectively) our U15 and U17 teams as honorary Swans, fully equipped for 'battle' . Both Aben and Dylan were welcomed warmly by their new team mates and coaches and demonstrated genuine footy ability. It was a great thrill both for the club and our visitors and a great connection was formed between our two communities. Great stuff!

The signage says it all! Top left our guests from Papunya Dylan Andy and Aben Sandy following the presentation of their WMS uniforms by President Justin Dethridge. Top right, Aben joining his U15-1 team mates on GHO and helped to kick a winning score. Below the team addressed by Coach Tim Barling at half time.

Following their visit the club I received a note of thanks from Jackson on behalf of Dylan and Aben -

"I would like to thank the Mosman/Willoughby Mosman Swans for their extreme hospitality – right from the beginning of training on Friday night both Dillon and Aben were made to feel welcome. Thank you especially to the players who gave up game time, the coaches for making the young fellas feel welcome, and Justin for providing gear and registering Dillon and Aben with the club. You’ve made the first experience of playing footy in Sydney and the mud a great one and we truly appreciate it - palya lingku (‘really good’ in Luritja, the language of Papunya)! These are memories that will be relived and replayed and retold for a lifetime." In the words of Bruce McAvaney "Special"!

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting for the Mosman Swans Junior Australian Football Club inc. will be held at 7:30pm, Tuesday 25 October, 2016 at the Warringah Bowling Club, 82 Bradley's Head Road, Mosman. All Members are welcome encouraged to attend.

Business of the meeting

1. Presidents welcome

2. Confirmation of the minutes of the 2015 AGM

3. Financial statements and other Reports

4. Election of Office Bearers

5. Any other business

NOMINATIONS of candidates for election as members of the clubs 2017 Committee are hereby called.

Nominees must be a Member who is a natural person over the age of 18 years and who is entitled to vote.

Nominations must be made by returning a completed nomination form to the club Secretary by no later than 5.00 pm on 24th October 2016.

The nomination form can be obtained on request by email to secretary@mosmanswans.com.au.

After three years as club President this season will be my last. In accordance with the clubs rotation policy I will stand down at the forthcoming AGM and a new President and Committee will be elected. An exciting time for fresh ideas and new energy through a very healthy and necessary succession process.

I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to lead this great club over the last three seasons. In particular, it has been a joy to get to know so many Mosman Swans/WMS families throughout this period and to develop many valued friendships. I have received much encouragement, guidance and advice throughout and I thank the countless members who have been a great source of feedback, good humour and fun (often at unsavoury hours of the day).

I thank each member of the committee(s) with whom I have been associated and in particular, my predecessors, Gary Forster, Andrew Hurrell and Dan Milton-Hine, who have been a constant source of scholarship, friendship and wise counsel and together with Dean Lee at AFLSJ have provided invaluable support to me and the Mosman Swans football club throughout. Finally, I thank our partners and sponsors for their support with out whom we would not exist. Serving the Mosman Swans community has been a great privilege.

I'll see you at the footy!

Cheer, cheer, the red and the white!

Justin Dethridge

President

2016 Grand Final Wrap

The 2016 season was a very successful season for the club. In all 9 of 11 eligible teams qualified for the finals. 6 teams played in a Grand Final and all were gallant in defeat.

U11’s Mosman Swans 6.7.43 def by St Ives 8.3.51

U12-3’s Mosman Swans 3.7.25 def by Hornsby Berowra Eagles 5.7.37

U14-3’s WMS 4.2.26 def by Penshurst 7.5.47

U15-1’s WMS 5.3.33 def by East Syd 6.8.44

U15-3’s WMS 1.3.9 def by Forest Lions 7.7.49

U17-2’s WMS 7.6.48 def by Glebe 7.8.50

Congratulations to all players, Coaches, Team Managers and supporters for your commitment and dedication to the collective effort of fielding 18 teams across the age groups. This takes an enormous amount of organisation, effort and time. A wonderful season. As is often the case in footy the final result can be tough but with so many teams proving to be so competitive, it is a great credit to all concerned.

2016 Presentation Events

Mosman Swans/WMS class of 2016. These young men join graduating youth girls Erin McKinnon and Ellie Skipper in leaving Junior footy this season with this clubs respect and best wishes for their senior footy debut in 2017. Good luck all, "once a Mosman Swan always a Mosman Swan". Safe travels!

The 2016 Mosman Swans club presentation events we completed on 10^th(junior ages) and 11^th Sept (youth ages) respectively. All went smoothly, largely due to the hard work of Rachel Thorley who co-ordinated the bookings, the purchase of awards and then directed each event. I would also ad my thanks to Annabel Thorley who produced the AV packs for each age group (including music etc). A wonderful effort ladies, thank you.

Major awards were presented to -

• Club Best & Fairest – Erin McKinnon
• Best Coach – Andrew Jenkins & Andrew Hurrell (U18 Youth Girls)
• Best 1^st Year Coach – Richard Hitchens (U11’s)
• Milton-Hine Cup – Peter Tonkin
• Manly Giants Rising Star Award - Elli Skipper
• North Shore Bombers Award - Adam Bastas

In addition to these worthy awardees, Life Membership was conferred upon several long-term volunteers who have given service to the club for in excess of 10 years (the criteria).

This year’s Life Membership (Volunteer) inductees were:

• Glenn Morgan
• Phil Lemieux and
• Rob O’Callaghan

Life Membership was also conferred upon several players who had satisfied the criteria of having played 100+ games in their final year of Junior footy.

This year’s Life Membership (Player) inductees were:

• Brodie Hurrell (172 games)(club record)
• Connor Roche-West (141 games)
• Jack Matthewson (121 games)
• Luca Muir (102 games)

Congratulations to the recipients of all awards this season.

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2016 Sponsors

Principal Sponsor - Richardson & Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay

We again thank our major sponsor, Richardson & Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay, for the significant and valued contribution they make to our club. We thank the Principals and staff of R&W for their ongoing support and I urge our Mosman Swans families to support R&W in return.

For all real estate enquiries please contact agency Principal Stephen Patrick directly -

Principal - Richardson & Wrench Mosman / Neutral Bay

9969 7622 | 0413 834 848 | stephen@rwm.com.au

Gold Sponsor – Fitness First

We welcome Fitness First as a sponsor for season 2016. Fitness First provides state of the art fitness facilities at their Mosman Platinum health club located at 555 Military Road.

For fitness assessment or a tour of the Mosman Facility please contact club Manager Robert Griffiths on (02) 8969 3720

Financial Services Sponsor – Dixon Advisory

Dixon Advisory are hosting a 1hour “Investing for your future” update for non clients in their North Sydney office on Thursday 6 October at 6pm, followed by drinks and nibbles.

Alex MacLachlan, US born and Wharton MBA graduate, and a member of Dixon Advisory’s Investment Committee will cover a range of asset classes (and their view on the risks and opportunities) including the alternative investments between cash and equities.

These session is suitable for those looking to grow and preserve their life savings whether in an offset account or inside or outside of superannuation.

For further information or to register please see use the link below.

https://www.dixon.com.au/smsf/super-seminars/investing-for-your-future

or contact Steve Netting tel: (02) 8662 9725.

Team-wear Apparel Partner – ISC

ISC join us this year as our Teamwear and off field apparel partner. ISC supply 5 AFL clubs including the Sydney Swans. We are delighted with the new Mosman Swans uniform which is now available to members.

Mosman Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

The practice is well known to many of our members and has been established for over 40 years.

In addition to match day coverage, as part of the arrangement players will have available an “Injury Clinic” on Monday evenings in the Practice to have acute injuries assessed from the weekend prior. This will enable the triage of injuries, and have more urgent matters attended to quickly, thus resulting in less time lost from the field. These will be short consultations and still must be booked in advance.

Suite 21/599 Military Rd, Mosman

Contact Steve Davey or Martin Pettifer

Tel: (02) 9968 2666

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The Mosman Swans appreciate the generous ongoing financial support of our principal sponsor Richardson & Wrench (Mosman & Neutral Bay)!