2009 UP-AND-RUNNING WITH GLITTERING GALA LAUNCH

2009 UP-AND-RUNNING WITH GLITTERING GALA LAUNCH

With presidents, secretaries and members from the seventy-four clubs in attendance, as well as many special guests, the MCC Members’ Dining Room was packed to capacity last night as the VAFA officially launched the 2009 season.

Featured speaker Nathan Buckley spoke of his approach to the game and his aspirations to coach. He applauded the attitude of VAFA footballers who play for the love of the game, whose only reward is the glory and despair that is shared with their teammates.

President Nick Bourke spoke glowingly of the recent VAFA victory over the EFL and commended the squad for their character and approach to the contest. He also endorsed the VAFA’s approach to family football.

The toast to the VAFA was made by a thoughtful Luke Beveridge, the former St Bede’s Mentone Tigers mentor who led his charges from C Section to A Section in three years, winning the premiership each season.  

Ben Dowd, the St Kevin’s all-Australian livewire, spoke of his experiences on the Ireland tour last October and in the clash with the EFL.

CEO Michael Sholly also presented several awards for service to the VAFA and to its clubs.

THREE GET LIFE

Three stalwarts of Victorian amateur football were last night awarded life membership of the VAFA.

Peter Rhoden

• Certificate of Merit 2000
• Coached the VAFA carnival team in 64 and 65.
• Selector from 65 – 68
• On the VAFA umpires committee from 68 – 72.
• Coached the rep side again from 72 – 74.
• VAFA Tribunal member from 1979 – present.
• 41 out of the last 45 years contributing to the VAFA.
• Old Xaverians’ longest serving senior coach
• Old Xaverians’ Life Member

Bruce Ivey

• Certificate of Merit 1989
• VAFA board since 1994.
• Former chairman of the U19 and grounds sub-committees
• Assisted with C-D4 Representative teams and investigation hearings.
• Played at <st1:place w_st="on">West Brunswick</st1:place> from 1968 to 1984 where he played 269 senior games which included 4 B&Fs.
• Club premiership captain.
• 15 years on the committee as social secretary and club delegate.
• Life Member of <st1:place w_st="on">West Brunswick</st1:place>.

John Bell

• Committeeman at Bulleen Templestowe and Old Scotch Collegians Football Clubs between 1982-1998
• VAFA Board member since 1999. 
• Executive committee of Marketing 03-06,
• Vice President 03-08,
• Administrative committee 06-08,
• Funding & Marketing committee 2006,
• Football Programs committee 2004,
• Permit Registration committee 00-08 and on the Tribunal & Investigations committee.
• U19’s Senior committee 97-03,
• U19’s Representative Match committee 98-01,
• U19’s Team Manager 97-02. 
• Club 18 & Reserve grade Football committee 98-03.

Certificates of Merit were presented to Jeffrey Jankie (AJAX); Anthony Damen (Umpires); Peter Murphy (Old Mentonians); Alan Mitchell (Old Camberwell); and Tony Robbins (Umpires)