Romsey Football Netball Club’s presentation night was an opportunity to reflect on what was a successful 2023 season after a difficult few years at the club.

This year’s Riddell District Football Netball League finals featured four Redbacks teams – all three men’s football teams and the A Grade netball team.

Justin Sherman, Hamish Jedwab and Michael Richardson – 2023 coaches for the seniors, reserves and under 19.5 football teams respectively – have signed on for another year and will be hoping to back up this year’s success.

Romsey president Wayne Milburn said he was proud of the year the club had managed to put together.

“I think the 2023 season across the whole board, over football and netball, was a success,” he said.

“Compared to where we have been the past few years, we had four sides make the finals so that’s a pretty good achievement I feel.”

Named best and fairest for the Redbacks’ senior footballers was Jack Jedwab, who was also the league’s leading goalkicker and helped his team to a surprising finals berth and a victory over Riddell in the elimination final.

Matthew Hoy took home best and fairest for the reserves with Liam Muir gaining the top honour for the under 19.5 category, while the top player trophy for Romsey’s first-ever women’s team was won by Nicole Steward.

“[The women] were a great success for the club this year, we weren’t too sure how it was going to go – I think we started with 12 girls and ended up with 32 so that was a bit of a surprise,” Milburn said.

“The girls didn’t win a game, but for what they represented at the club, it was a big success.”

In netball, Maggie Lind won best and fairest for A Grade, along with Hope Hamilton, Gladys Carlill, and Josie Lepore in B Grade, C Grade and Under 19 respectively.

While the club is yet to finalise its netball coaching staff for next season, Milburn said Romsey was looking strong for next year.

“For football, all three coaches have signed for next year so that’s all tied up. Netball, we’re still looking into, but at the moment it all looks pretty positive,” he said.

“We hope to go a step further next year, I think we’ve got a pretty good foundation for our young kids so that’s got everyone excited. We’re looking forward to next season.”

Romsey Football Netball Club awards