After 3 years of interrupted football due largely to COVID and more recently wet weather, not to mention our inability to hold functions while Artie Smith is being redeveloped and the Showground Pavilion is being renovated, it was so pleasing to see everyone finally enjoying themselves at Friday night’s Presentation.
Whilst the Photo’s should be online in the next day or say, I must say everyone (well almost) got dressed up for the occasion and didn’t they look sharp. Hardly recognised some of the girls. A big thanks to Roz for organising the Red Carpet theme, Fiona, Julie & India for capturing the night on film, Dukesy for putting together the slide show, Matt for acting as MC and everyone else that helped set up and contribute to what was a marvelous night, including Bryce and all the Staff at the North Nowra Tavern.
Whilst all the Award winners are spelt out below, I would like to make Special mention of Roslyn Phillips who received the Club Person of the Year; and Nick McDonald & Andrew Ellis on receiving Life Membership.
As I have said a number of times in recent years, our Club is extremely fortunate to have so many willing workers who would all be equally deserving of such a prestigious award, however this year we just felt that Roz’s contribution, whether that be organising AUSKICK, Managing of the Women’s Premier Division side, Running around after the Junior’s, or helping out in the canteen; was simply too hard to ignore. Roz also received the Auskick Co-ordinator of the year so clearly, we weren’t the only that noticed her contribution to AFL.
Nick was a playing member of our Juniors for a couple of years, although records are not available. He had his first taste of senior football in 2004 playing one game before transitioning to the Seniors in 2005.
Since then, he has played 208 Games (129 in 1st Grade & 79 in the Reserves) to become only the 7th Player to achieve that milestone, kicking a total of 51 goals along the way, all off his shin.
During that time, he featured in 5 Premierships; 4 of those in 1st Grade including the Clubs 3-Peat in 06, 07 & 08 plus a further flag in 2010. He was also a member of the Clubs Reserve Grade Premiership team in 2018 and more recently received the Club’s Best & Fairest Award for Reserve Grade in 2020.
Whilst not renowned for training and hard work these days, that hasn’t always been the case especially during the Club’s successful run when he never missed a session. As much as I like to pull the rinse out of him and his Light Show ruffled my feathers, he has always supported the Club socially and now joins a select field of players to have clocked up 200 Games for the BFC.
Like Nick, Andrew was also a Bomaderry Junior and whilst he still has a little way to go to get to 200 games, he has done a lot more for the Tigers than just play having helped out with Training and assisting Geoff in recent years.
Andy first played in 2004 and whilst injuries and work commitments have severely restricted his availability, he has still managed to play 185 games for the Tigers, which sits him 9th on the list (2 behind Darren Murray).
During that time, he has figured in 5 Premierships; 4 in 1stGrade (06, 08.10 & 2018) and 1 in Reserve Grade in 2004 kicking a total of 260 goals for the Club.
He also received the 1st Grade – ‘Tiger of the Year’ in 2008 and was awarded the Coaches Award in 2009 & 2011.
Apart from helping with training and his playing record, Andy also provided valuable insight when we were dealing with the league over our request for relegation which was greatly appreciated.
Congratulations guys, well deserved.
Whilst we didn’t present any appreciation Awards this year, probably because there were too many willing volunteers, I would like to acknowledge the Coaching Staff & Committee on a job well done and thank all our Sponsors (again too many to name) for all their support over many years.
I’d also like to make special mention of our Junior’s which is where our future lies. We had record numbers in Auskick and in our lower age groups, and capped off a challenging but remarkable year winning both the U/15 Boys & U/15 Girls Premierships.
AWARDS 2022
MILESTONES:
50 Games –Morgan Murphy-Knight & Tom Hines
100 Games – Lachlan Price
150 Games – Toby Craig
200 Games – Matty Hickmott & Nick McDonald
RESERVE GRADE:
Encouragement – Sam Maher
Coaches Award – Brayden Kelly
Most Consistent – William Clarke
Best Back – Leslie Wardale
Player’s Player- John Ulrick
Tiger of the Year – Mitchell Wurr
Runner-Up B&F – Josh Lapatha
Best & Fairest – Mitchell Wurr
WOMENS AWARDS:
Best Backman – Rhiannon Taylor
Coaches Award – Emily Reichler
Encouragement – Maddison Carr
Most Consistent – Rhianna Nelson
Player’s Player – Grace Hughes
Tiger of the Year – Isabella Halls
Runner-Up B&F –Jess Wardale
Best & Fairest – Grace Hughes
FIRST GRADE:
Encouragement – Codie Angilley
Coaches Award – Dom Pyne & Kris Lonergan
Most Consistent – Jake Satchell
Best Back – Luke McCann
Player’s Player – Max Hughes
Tiger of the Year – Ryan Kelly
Runner-Up B&F – Oliver Halls
Best & Fairest – Max Hughes
CLUB AWARDS:
Best 1st Year Player- Amy Abbey & Oliver Halls
Rookie of the Year – Kamille Carter & Fergus Priest
Most Improved – Taylor Matheson-Gee & Caleb Gulliver Conspicuous Services – Mat Farrow
Club Person of the Year – Roslyn Phillips
Life Membership – Nick McDonald & Andrew Ellis
