46th Annual Presentation Report
Wednesday 11th October 2000 7:00 pm
Riverwood Legion Club

U10, U11, U12 Premiers.

2001 Club Awards

President’s Report
The 1999 season has been a huge success for the Penshurst Panthers.  Highlights include:

Ÿ              most players (around 176)

Ÿ              most teams (7 competition plus Auskick – equal with Miranda)

Ÿ              most teams in finals (all 7 competition teams)

Ÿ              most teams in grand final (3 teams)

Ÿ              most premiers (3 teams – U10, U11, U12)

Ÿ              most players best-on-ground in grand final (2 - Michael Pratt (U11); Nick Buttifant (U12))

Ÿ              most representative players (around 25 across the various age groups)

Ÿ              most photos and articles in the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader (2 – U11s; U12s)

Ÿ              club championship

Ÿ              grand final hosts.

 We also had four players in the final four Association best & fairest age awards: Jack Horder (U11); Nick Buttifant (U12); Adam Buttling (U13); David Ryan (U14).  Congratulations to these talented players, and a special mention to Jack, who was Association best & fairest (U11) and polled the equal highest number of votes across all age groups.

In addition, the Association Club person of the year award went to our own Joan Collins, who is a superb example of what the Penshurst club spirit is all about – a friendly, well-organised environment in which children may enjoy our great game, develop teamwork and a terrific social network.  To Joan and the rest of the hard-working committee, well done and thanks for your great support.  All the work that has gone into preparing for tonight is another testimony of your dedication.

With all this success, it’s perhaps easy to become complacent.  However, it’s only four years since we had only 34 players across all ages and the club almost folded.  And there have been other times in our long history in which the Penshurst Panthers were very strong and then fell on lean times.  So we have to continue to foster the club’s prosperity by maintaining an active involvement in getting our local primary schools interested and supporting the summer Auskick program during November and possibly February/March.

Another critical part of sustaining the club is a vigorous committee.  Some of us who have children in the older age groups have a limited time left in junior football, and need successors coming through.  I particularly urge parents of our younger teams – Auskickers, U10s and U11s – to get involved in helping run the club over the next few years.  Please think about ways you can help, and come to our Annual General Meeting on Saturday 28 October (3 pm at Penshurst RSL Club: Legends Lounge) to nominate for a committee position or as a team coach or manager.

At the same time, clubs can become too big to manage, and anything over 200 players will severely test our organizing capacity as part-time volunteers.  Rather than keep growing ever larger, well-established clubs like ours should welcome the formation of new clubs to take up any player overflow and strengthen the competition.  For the Auskick summer program I mentioned above, we have deliberately targeted schools east of Olds Park, so that a new club based in or near Riverwood can focus on schools west of Olds.

I must stress that anyone living to the west of Olds Park who wants to stay with Penshurst will be absolutely welcome to do so.  No-one will be forced out.  But if some of you would like to help a fledgling club get off the ground this would be a great thing to do, to help spread our fantastic sport in Sydney.

I cannot let the occasion pass without thanking our sponsors, who have contributed so much to our financial success.  Penshurst RSL Community Youth Club has again paid for much of our playing and training equipment, as it has done for many years.  Hungry Jacks, Bankstown and Bates Cycles, Hurstville have also been key contributors, along with a number of other small businesses that have donated raffle and auction prizes.  

We have also been fortunate to have formed a good working partnership with St George seniors, in sharing the Olds Park clubhouse facilities and in joining with them for the mid-season auction night.

Finally, I want to especially thank Colin Tegg for agreeing to be MC tonight.  Colin started the season as club president, but had to step down because of his other extensive football duties.  Nevertheless he continued to lead the Association, co-ordinate our own Auskickers and step up to the mark for occasions like this.

All in all it has been a very satisfying year, and I hope we all look forward to next season after a well-earned rest.  Enjoy the night, enjoy the end-of-season trip to Jamberoo on Sunday week, and come to the AGM at the end of the month to have your say in the club’s future.

Peter Ryan

AUSKICK

 I am pleased to report that the future of the club is in good hands.  The Year 2000 Auskick squad consists of players who love their kick around on Saturday morning, and enjoy their work on the training track, carefully

taking in every word that their coach, in his wisdom, utters -and then cheerfully go ahead and do whatever they want to.

A number of the boys are ready to go into the Under 10s next season, and their coach will have good players to mould into a team.  When they played in the slightly more serious game on a Saturday they looked the goods.

The younger players have gained great benefit from the season of Auskick, learning the skills of our great game.  One more season should have most of them ready to take on the world (or at least Ramsgate Under 10s)!!

Many, many thanks to the myriad of helpers that were available on Saturdays to run drills, and to help in the running of matches - and they were always under pressure, with an incredible number of close games in our age group - I have never seen so many draws!!!

A very special thank you to Sue Thomas, our Manager.  Sue did a fantastic job, and it was great to turn up each Saturday knowing that the team, the jumpers, and the oranges were well organised. Very few of the Year 2000 Auskickers had played Aussie Rules before. trust that they, and their parents, enjoyed their first season with the

mighty Penshurst Panthers and I look forward to seeing them progress through the ranks, playing the game that I think gives kids a wonderful outlet to develop and use their athletic skills, their ball skills and to spend their

energy and enthusiasm in a fun way.

Many thanks

Colin Tegg

Proud Auskick Co-ordinator

Under 10 Greens

The under 10 Greens is made up of the new, the experienced & the old! I was the old (obviously!) but also the new as this was my first year as an Aussie Rules coach. We had boys playing their second year in the tens & their experience has been invaluable. Some boys played Auskick last year co this was their first year in a formal comp & we also had boys playing Aussie Rules for the very first time.

Our first time players were Jake, Drew, Josh, Matthew, Doug & Ben. The improvement in your skill level from the beginning of the season to the end was terrific to see, most of you came from soccer & it rakes a while to realise that a hand ball as a good thing in this game! I was impressed by how quickly you all made the transition.

Jason, Evan, Thomas & Shannon all played Auskick last year & had remembered their skills (which, as a coach, is pleasing to see – we all live in hope!) & all contributed to the team & were courageous all season.

Danny, Nick, Jarryd, James, Brett, David, Andrew, Peter, Paul & Dylan had played in the U10’s last year but had to learn or change others as a result of rule changes this year. Your experience helped the whole team.

The introduction of the headband rule & the changes in the level of tackling allowed meant that the boys (& the coach!) had some adjustments to make but all seemed to have it under control after the early rounds.

We qualified for the semi-finals after a season of hard fought wins, unfortunate losses & a couple of byes so we could catch our breath! The boys played out of their skins in the semi & nearly pulled off the upset of the round. They just fell short on the scoreboard but the coach has never been more proud of his team.

This season would not have been so enjoyable without the support of you parents. Thank-you for your kind words, loud cheers & patience while we navigated the rule changes.

Thank-you also to Greg – my trusty assistant. Your help at training & on game day was invaluable. Thanks also go to Enzo & Colin who helped to train me. You gave me great advice & your help at both training & during the games was greatly appreciated.

Karen, you have been a wonderful manager & I know all the parents join me in saying “THANK-YOU.” It is probably the most difficult job on the team &you made it look so easy.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this season & wish the boys the best of luck as they continue with their football career. Finally I would like to share with you something that epitomised what I think kids sport is all about. During a break in a game a boy ran up to me with a grin from ear to ear. He had in improved in leaps & bounds during the season & had kicked a wonderful drop punt a minute earlier. He couldn’t wait to tell me how great it felt & that it was his best kick ever!! This kind of excitement should be bottled. By the way – we lost that game but it sure didn’t feel like it.

Rob Maughan

Under 10 Whites

What a thrilling finale, Down 12-19 at three quarter time in the final, our captain injured, our top goal scorer unable to play in the forwards and not many of the 100,000 crowd believing that a Penshurst win was possible.

It came down to whether we really wanted to win.

Did we have enough petrol in our tanks?

Did we have the right motivation to play at our best level?

Were we going to take the bumps, crashes and bruises for ten more minutes?

Was this the way a magnificent season was going to end?

Did we really have what it takes?

Well those who there know the answers to the above questions.

We started the season with two losses. It seemed like it was going to be a long season. Teamwork was far from our minds. We had to get our hands on the ball and do something positive. Easier said than done.

Round 3. We’re playing Miranda. Are we playing the Reds or the Blacks?

Well whoever we played they came across a group of boys with all the determination they could muster. It wasn’t going to be three losses in a row. Miranda was shell-shocked. I was shell-shocked. Tracy was shell-shocked. I think everyone on the sideline was in a similar sense of numbness. We won by 5 goals.

It was like watching the Dimboola 3^rd grade one week (A Tim Watson Quote – sorry Enzo) and Essendon the next. What came over the boys? Was this a one off?

Whatever it was, we weren’t to lose another game until the finals. We finished the preliminary rounds with 12 wins and 2 losses. Minor Premiers.

How were we going to perform when it really counted? Ramsgate at Tonbridge. A wake up call. Enough said.

Preliminary final against Bankstown, at Kelso! Well, after what at the time was the most tense and nerve-racking last quarter all year, the boys defended a three point lead with much determination. I walked away thinking our supporters just could not handle such a close finish like that again. But who was to predict what was to happen one week later.

Ramsgate at Olds. Home at last. As the crowd walked through the turnstiles with the Footy Record in their hands there was a great anticipation on what the day would bring. A banner to run through, the papparazzi at every corner and the sound of popping corks of the champagne bottles. The game had not yet begun. Yes, the final hooter, the season has come to an end.

Many thanks to Tracy, our manager. She did a magnificent job much easier. Also many thanks to Trevor Baigent, John Green, Paul and Luke O’Gorman and Ray Parkinson who took on important jobs during the finals and to the mums and dads, brothers and sisters, grandparents and anyone else associated with the boys for their support throughout the season.

Thank you to Dylan Harvey, David Green and Andrew Maughan from the 10 Greens for their assistance during the finals. You played superbly boys.

Finally, to the boys that made up the Penshurst Whites, you all thoroughly deserved the success that you achieved. Well done.

Matthew Baigent – Proudly took on the responsibility of captain during the finals. A strong, tough, courageous and dependable player who dominated the centre in every game. Also would enjoy the job ass a goal-kicking rover.

Luke Camilleri -  An explosive type player. Brings the crowd to their feet when he has the ball. Likes to be in the open as he has enormous speed. A goal-kicking winger or half forward with terrific ball skills.

Luke Vitale – Assumed the role of a “tagger” and performed admirably. Enjoyed the close marking and usually got the better of his opponent. Can play half forward/half back. Loves it in tough, man-on-man situations.

Andrew O’Sulivan – A strong and determined ruckman. Performed the around-the-ground tall player responsibilities very well. Also has ability to play a strong centre half forward role.

Cameron Finn – A very skilful player who is at home both ends of the ground. Kicked many goals with hid ability to pick up and kick the ball with lightning speed. Likes to play in both close and open situations..

Justin Mills – An agile, skilful player who is at home both ends of the ground. Possesses a terrific side-step which often leaves his opponent bewildered at his ability to get out of tight situations

Cahn Prendegast – A goal sneak. A quick thinker blessed with speed and ability. Is equally comfortable in the back line as in the forward line. Gives 100% at training and during matches. Supporting Essendon is his only negative.

Damien Woodbridge – Possesses long arms which he uses to make like difficult for his opponents. He tackles strongly, making him a tough back-pocket type player. Also comfortable as a forward-pocket. Made dramatic improvement through the season.

Mitchell Parkinson – Blessed with speed, determination and excellent ball skills. Can play a strong marking fullback or a tough goal-kicking full forward. Enjoys it in the open, where he can display his lightning speed and ability.

Lyndon Hall – A tall strong player who has made the position of centre half back his own. Has a long penetrating left foot kick which has rewarded him with long distance goals when in the forward line. Took the responsibility of kick-ins from behinds with pride.

Kieran McDonald – A tough, strong player who play well at both ends of the ground. Shows great skills and pace when in the open. Shows ability to be an excellent rebounding half back or a goal kicking half forward. Big improver.

Michael Cremin – An enthusiastic tall player equally at home at both ends of the ground. Always reliable in close marking of opponents and in ability to find the loose ball to begin team forward thrusts.

Jonathan Vitale – A strong, tough rover type player who enjoys tight struggles. A strong ‘never say die’ tackler who helped dominate the centre for the team. Has ability to get the ball in tight situations and off load to team mates.

Calum McDonald – A strong player who can play well at both ends of the ground or in the centre. Ability to perform well in any situation. A determined player who does well in tight situations. A coach’s dream.

Matthew O’Gorman – A tough player who can play anywhere around the ground. Ability to play a river type game, a defending back pocket or goal-kicking forward pocket. Enthusiastic and determined.

Marcus Gordon – A big improver. Willing to take on any situation given to him. Has ability to find the ball, control it and off load to a team mate. Plays well in the centre and is determined to do well.

Alex Green – An enthusiastic player who can tackle the responsibilities of nay given role. Excellent in tight situations as he has quick hands. Thoroughly enjoys the winning feeling or celebrating a goal. Ability to play in any position on the ground.

Patrick Brady – An enthusiastic tall player who plays it tight in defensive roles. Ability to make it tough for his opponent in man-on-man situations. Has the skills to be a strong marking fullback or back pocket.

Joe Vitale

Coach

UNDER 11’s

The year was a very successful one for the team, winning the premiership for the second successive year.

We finished second in the home and away competition, the same as last year and won the Grand Final with four quarters of quality football.  It is worth noting that of the 20 players available on our list, 14 had played in last years grand final winning team.  What a great experience for the team, not many people get to play in one grand final in their football life, let alone play in and win two.

Some of the interesting milestones from the season was as follows:-
·        Played 18 games, won 12 and lost 6.  We lost three times to Bangor, once to Easts and twice to Heathcote.
·        The majority of our losses occurred early in the season which made us focus on the key basics of the game and prevented any swelled heads being carried over from the prior year.
·        We kicked 175 more points than the next highest team.
·        We had the best defensive record in the competition.
·        We had a % of 174%, which was 50% greater than the runner up after the home and away rounds.

The team has been criticised during the year from various quarters for too much exuberance at different times.  From the coaches’ perspective, the kids, at times, had their moments and they certainly are a spirited bunch, but I think that same spirit enabled the team to play with a great deal of passion and was instrumental in them winning crunch games at crucial times during the season.  This same passion was shown in the last quarter of the grand final when it really mattered and was one of the key differences between us and our competitors.  A good example of our passion was highlighted in the half page colour Leader photograph of the team on the 24 August 2000.  It displayed great team spirit and natural exuberance when winning the grand final. 

We had some excellent helpers during the season, Jenny Trainor did a fantastic job as manager, Dean Hosking and Phillip Muir were a great help at training.  Laurie Horder did a great job as runner and Jack Horder was a mature and inspirational captain throughout the season.

Congratulations on a job well done.

Michael Hanrahan

Coach

Under 12s

What a fantastic year the boys had ! Going through the year undefeated is not an easy accomplishment. To their credit, the boys played consistently well all year as well as being a very coachable team.

There were many fine qualities that stood out throughout the season, but the two which were obvious were their unselfishness and their never die attitude. It is an easy task to highlight positive characteristics of all players because they all contributed solidly. Starting with Patrick Aley, our reliable defender who was unstoppable in the grand final, topping off a great year. Patrick’s right hand man, David Langley, who played in the back pocket for most of the year was as solid as a rock, which made it very difficult for opposition forwards to score.

At the other end of the ground, Costa troubled many backmen with his strength, overhead marking and goal kicking ability. The small men brigade comprising Stephen Collins, Nicholas Buttifant, Daniel Pickford and Brent Fischer provided sensational tenacity and ball gathering skills, continually unsettling the opposition. Their continual relentlessness to win the ball was uplifting. Our muscle men Tom Eden, Martin Brooks and Michael Tegg were very consistent and could influence a game within 5 minutes. Their ferociousness at the ball intimidated the opposition and their continual protection for their teammates was exceptionally unselfish, which created many opportunities for our smaller players.

We had many big improvers throughout the year, but three who stood out were Ben Gordon, Trent Swaysland and Lachlan Finn. Ben’s overhead marking and attack of the ball was outstanding, whilst Trent and Lachlan’s skills went leaps and bounds ahead. Making them valuable half back flankers.

Our four first year players blended well into the side, Damien Pratt, Nathan Lawrence, Tom Eden and Jess Michael. Their transition into the team was a quick one and by the end of the season they looked like they were veterans of the club.

There are always players who just have fun all the time, whether it is at training in the wet or slogging it out in the mud, namely Michael and Zac Taoul and Sam Biggar.

I must acknowledge Bruce Langley for being a supportive and organised Manager which helped me immensely. Secondly, I’m very appreciative of my assistant coach Mark Fischer who made my role particularly easy when I couldn’t get to training or to some of the games. In addition to my assistant, I was grateful for the work from Colin Tegg, Greg Pickford, Chris Aley and Joan Collins who were a great support staff.

I had an enjoyable time working with a great bunch of kids and parents and have no doubt the momentum will continue whilst there are so many committed parents willing to make Aussie Rules RULE !

Go Panthers

David Buttifant

U/12’s Coach

Under 13’s

What a year, what a game, what a team!!  We started life as the Under 14’s, but were quickly reconstructed as the Under 13’s.  This provided the opportunity for the side to demonstrate its skills in a fair competition, against their true peers.

Many of the boys were having their first year in Aussie Rules and made every post a winner in absorbing the skills passed on by coach Rob D’Orazio.  They were also able to observe and take example from the experienced players.  I wish to especially pay tribute to rep players Adam Buttling and Mat D’Orazio whose great talents were an inspiration to the new players.  These two players in particular gave tremendous energy to the side and were always looking to bring the new boys into the play.

The side demonstrated great team qualities in the early games when scores were very one sided against us.  However, every week saw each member of the side gain in confidence and demonstrate new and improved skills.

We then experienced defeat by a mere point and knew the tide was turning in our favour.  And then it happened – the boys played the game of their lives to secure their first win.  Great tidings and joy, ring the bells and sing Alleluia.  What a terrific feeling for players, parents and coaching staff!

The side just got better and better, game by game and suddenly we were taking on Miranda in the semi final.  The scores fluctuated with the first quarter being evenly matched.  Penshurst showed superior skills in the second quarter and ran up a nice gap - the fairy tale was looking good.  But Miranda came back in the third quarter and were able to hold on to win the game.

Suddenly it was all over – but we can look back on a season full of highs, great enjoyment and great team camaraderie.  Thanks to Adam and Matt for showing the way forward, thanks to Ryan, Dimitri, Graeme, Leigh, Aaron, James, Tim, Brendan, Dane, Luke, Michael H, Michael I, Trent, Rory, our two Dylan M’s, Danny, Seamus and Brendan for giving your all and giving us all the great enjoyment we experienced on the sideline.  Next year will be even better.

Thanks also to Coach Rob for your patience and team building efforts, thanks to our runners/watermen/ambulance officers Jeff Holmes and Ken Cook and our goal umpire Dick Ireland.

Bring on 2001.

Bernie Holdsworth, Manager

Under 14s

At the end of the season it was felt by players, parents and managers that we had probably achieved better than expected.

I also believe this is a fair assessment of our year. At the start of the year we were a team that was thrown together with some under 13 boys, some under 14 boys and some under 15 boys with dispensations to play 14s.

As you can understand, this was not a recipe for wonderful team understanding as many of the boys did not know each other, let alone played football together. Nonetheless, after some ordinary performances early in the year, teamwork developed on a weekly basis and we saw some very good football towards the end of the season.

Holding Bankstown (the eventual premiers) to a one goal difference at Olds Park and our one point semi final victory over Easts were certainly highlights and games that I do not think will be forgotten by the players or parents for some time to come.

Those boys who could have played under 13s during the year but opted for a greater challenge in all cases developed probably better than the rest of the team. I am sure these boys will excel next year in the under 14s. Those true under 14s were a mixture of experienced and new players and without exception either gave the team backbone in the case of the experienced guys or were responsible for our rapid improvement throughout the year. Those players that opted to play with an age dispensation are to be congratulated on their decision, as without exception, they gave us good maturity and leadership, as well as some fairly handy football skills.

Special mention to Terry Gallagher (most organised manager in Australia), Noel Hopkins (filling in as coach when required) and Steve Rixon who made himself available.

Chris Ryan

Under 16s

After some initial attempts to form two under 16 teams, we settled for one. This gave us a healthy squad of 29 players which soon became 26 as three players decided to spend their winters in other activities.

Our season started off in a scratchy fashion, with the mercy rule being applied in favour of a strong and experienced Ramsgate. Fortunately, and thanks to our ever improving form, this was not to occur again for the remainder of the season. In fact, we played Ramsgate again in what was to be our the final game, a sudden death semi final. The fact that we outscored them in the final quarter of this game when the result was beyond reach speaks volumes for the strength of character in the team.

Once again, there were a number of players in their first year of Aussie Rules, all of whom contributed enormously to the team. Well done Ben Baldacchino, Anthony Brooker, Sam Kellehear, Sean Martin, Ben Mattingley, Shannon Moffit, Chris Stewart and Billy Whittle. I bet you all wish you had commenced playing the great game of Aussie Rules several years earlier !!!!!.

In terms of our on-field achievements, we were able to finish 6^th in a competition of 9 teams, with big wins against Heathcote and Bangor (twice each) and a stirring victory over Easts at Trumper in our only encounter with them. We also lead Bankstown for much of the game in both of our meetings. However, they ran us down on both occasions. Whilst we were at times competitive against the top sides (occasionally pinching a quarter or two), we were not able to sustain the required level of intensity throughout the games against them. Nevertheless, the desire of all team members never faulted.

With 14 members of the team still eligible for under 16s next year, we can look forward with great confidence to a successful 2001 season.  Hopefully, we will again see Ben Baldacchino, Ali Choker, Shane Devine, James Do Canto, Sam Kellehear, John Leone, Michael Leone, Ben Mattingley, Shannon Moffit, Jeff O’Sullivan, Adam Raw, Alex Ryan, Luke Smithers and Joe Wilson in the mighty green and white colours. Sadly, with the conclusion of the 2000 season, we say farewell and thanks for your great efforts to Sam Ackerman, Anthony Brooker, Tim Donnelly, Tim Holdsworth, Andrew Low, Sean Martin, James Minns, Luke Ruiz, Michael Ryan, Josh Saward, Chris Stewart and Billy Whittle.

Many thanks also to Mark Ruiz, our Boundary Umpire, Noel Devine, our Goal Umpire and Neil Saward our Runner for their mighty efforts throughout the season. Also to Kathy Wilson for her great managerial support (and of course the oranges every week), the Club Executive and Penshurst RSL for their fantastic support and encouragement of our senior team. Finally, congratulations and many thanks to our magnificent coach Enzo. Your countless hours of dedication, skill and persistence, combined with your positive and fair approach to coaching make you a truly model club man.

Paul Ryan - Manager

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