A highlight of Broadford Football Netball Club’s presentation night was the announcement of club life member Alwin Neilson as the 2024 senior coach.
Neilson will take the step up from Reserves coach to lead the Kangaroos’ football department.
The club awaits a vote at a special general meeting on Wednesday night on whether it will be accepted into the Kyabram District Football Netball League next season.
The Kangaroos welcomed about 100 people at its presentation night at Craigieburn Sporting Club on September 23.
Three life members were officially inducted after playing 200 senior games this season – Jenny Neilson, Bonnie Welch and Jai Heers.
Ms Welch, also president, also took home her first best club person award.
She said the night was about celebrating the achievements of the club this year, as well as looking forward to the future.
“The appointment of Alwin Neilson is extremely exciting,” she said.
“He is a life member, played 264 senior games and just a genuine, knowledgeable, respected person that is very passionate about seeing the club grow stronger into the future. It also gives stability for the football department.
“The club also thanks outgoing senior football coach Jayden Welch for his incredible contributions these past three years.
“The football department saw some dramatic improvements due to a major change in their game plan and structures that saw a rapid and positive uplift in scores and statistics across the board.”
Broadford celebrated the success of what might be its last season in the Outer East Football Netball League, where it had five out of six teams across football and netball in the finals, with a premiership in B Grade netball.
“We also had league award winners including a leading goal shooter, teams of the year representatives and a best and fairest; we hosted an amazing preliminary final thanks to all of the hard-working committee and volunteers, we received great feedback from the broader community from running BABBA, we took on the Auskick program again when no one would as we know how important it is to support pathways for future generations, and now we embark on the next phase at the club moving into what we hope is the best sustainable model for our future,” Ms Welch said.
“Our sponsors are also so highly valued as without them, we simply cannot operate so we thank them sincerely for their loyalty, belief and support.
“For everything we have achieved in season 2023, the entire club and all associated should be extremely proud and excited for what’s to come next.”
The club is now seeking coaching expressions of interest for Reserves and U18s football, along with all netball grades A, B, C and U17s.
“It’s a great opportunity to be involved in a family-orientated, rising community club and make a positive impact doing something you love. We welcome all applications,” Ms Welch said.
“Our strength, passion and resilience is something to be celebrated and no matter what we come up against, we always give it 100 per cent wearing our hearts of our sleeve and having plenty of fun along the way. It’s truly great to be part of.”
Broadford Football Netball Club
Football
Seniors
Best and fairest: Liam Lucas
Runners-up: Jayden Welch
Most Improved: Ben Keyzer
Most Courageous: Luke Tabone
Reserves
Best and fairest: Brodie Stray
Runners-up: Rhys Mortlock
Best in Finals: Sean Duggan
Most Improved: Declan Teohaere
Most Team Player: Henry Creed
Netball
A Grade
Best and fairest: Ally Black
Runners-up: Megan Berger
Best in finals: Ally Black
Coach’s award: Leah O’Dell
Players’ player: Megan Berger
B Grade
Best and fairest: Ebony Heers
Runners-up: Toni Bootland
Best in finals: Ebony Heers
Best team person: April Maunder
Most consistent: Rhiannon Bausch
C Grade
Best and fairest: Brylee Tolson
Runners-up: Rhonwyn Whiteside
Best in finals: Kirbie Theuma
Best team person: Jenny Neilson
Most improved: Grace Neilson, Makaela Smillie
17 and under
Best and fairest: Grace Lauder
Runners-up: Shayla White
Best in finals: Ashlyn White
Best team person: Bella Hargreaves
