2023 MID-SEASON UPDATE

With no football courtesy of the Long Weekend, I thought I would use the break to quickly update everyone on how the Club is travelling and what lies ahead as we prepare the back half of the season and hopefully a successful finals campaign.

1st Grade (DIV 1) is currently sitting in second spot and playing a very entertaining brand of football having dropped just the one game.

2nd Grade (DIV 2) is just one game out of the four and improving all the time. With several players likely to be available for selection over the coming weeks, competition for spots is only going to get tougher which augers well for the back half of the season.

Our young and inexperienced Women’s Side is improving with every game and with their comp due to split into 2 Divisions after Round 10, should be a chance to finish the season strongly. Last year these girls were comprehensively beaten in all but one game, but NOT this year having pushed most teams whilst recording 2 wins along the way.

The U/17 Boys remain undefeated and one clear on top of the Illawarra Junior’s Ladder.

Our U/15 & U/17’s Girls whilst significantly undersized and lacking in experience, keep battling hard and improving all the time. For many of these girls, this is their first taste of AFL so will only get better as they develop their skills and learn more about the game.

The mixed U/9’s, U/11’s & U/13’s continue to improve week in week out, and whilst generally smaller and in some cases younger than their opposition keep burrowing in and having a crack.

And then there’s the Auskick program on Thursday nights. To see these kids running around and having FUN is so encouraging. Looking at the numbers and people involved, the Club’s future certainly looks promising.

ARTIE SMITH OVAL UPGRADE.

With the Multi-Million-Dollar upgrade of Artie Smith Oval nearing completion, there is so much to look forward to.

Originally scheduled for completion about now, the program has slid right a little and whilst there are still a few issues to sort through, I have been assured we will be playing there at the start of next year, so plenty to look forward to.

Whilst it’s not locked in just yet, the plan at this stage is to play our opening game at Artie Smith on either the 13th or 20th (most likely) of April in conjunction with our 55th Reunion.

Nothing too elaborate, just an opportunity for past players & members to travel back and join us on this momentous occasion.

MILESTONES

Already this year, we have seen a number of Milestones reached with Jack Boxsell playing his 100th game for the Club and Simone Hackett (Gibbs) and Emma Dempsey being the first females to play 50 Games for the BFC.

Others to reach 50 games for the Men include James Biggs & Tim Hanlon whilst Jake Satchell & Mitch Wurr aren’t that far off.

SOCIALLY

On the social side, numbers back at the TAV each week have remained fairly high and our recent Black & Gold Ball at the Golf Club was a huge success with over 100 attending despite clashing with a few other events.

Coming up we have a Trivia Night locked in at the North Nowra Community Hall on the 8th of July and then on the 12th of August our Annual WHOOA Cup returns after 3 years in exile thanks to COVID-19. Both these EVENTS are not to be missed, so start planning. See details on Facebook.

THANKS

Whilst we are only half way through the Year I would just like to thank everyone that has rolled up their sleeves and helped out whether that be from a coaching perspective, running water or messages, manning the sideline, setting up, packing up, cooking pasta, in the kitchen or behind the canteen, looking after registrations, admin you name it, without volunteers we simply couldn’t function, so Thanks and keep up the good work.

I would also like to acknowledge our growing list of Sponsors, both at the Senior & Junior level. McDonald’s, Hanlon Windows, South Coast Security, North Nowra Tavern, Amazing Dental, Penzo’s Pizza & Gelato Bar, Virtual Power Co, Aqua Services – Pool & Spa, Eternal Energy, Kel Campbell Caltex, Mamma’s Italian Kitchen, Scruples Hair & Beauty, South Coast Plunge Pools, Crofty’s Auto & Tyre, Bloom’s the Chemist, Turfco, Engage Finance, Stephen Phillips Electrical, The Bomaderry Bowling Club, Meadow Swim School, The Friendly Inn Hotel – Kangaroo Valley, Glenmack Park – Kangaroo Valley & Madison’s in the Valley.

Without your backing, we wouldn’t be able to look after the players the way we do, so thank you once again for your continued support. It is very much appreciated & apologies if I left anyone out.

TRANSFER WINDOW

Last but not least, whilst players are always welcome to join the Club at any time, if anyone is thinking of coming out for a run, but has played for another Club at some stage, Transfers close on the 30th of June each year, so best you contact me on 0403291231 ASAP.

If you don’t need a clearance, then you can join anytime, just need a certain number of games to qualify for the finals.