Jason Dooley
The 2021 season has been one of unbridled hope and shattering disappointment.
After no open age football was played in 2020 it was hoped that 2021 would get us all back doing the things we love!
While 2021 was an improvement on 2020 – we played 11 open age matches – it was bitterly disappointing to miss out on playing finals football for a second straight season. The senior team lost only one game for the year and the reserves only lost two. Both teams finished second on the ladder.
Our juniors were a little lean on numbers in the under 18s especially this year but the lads were amazing all season, taking it up to most teams in the competition before succumbing to most in the latter parts of the game. They mostly ran out of puff from playing one, two and even sometimes three men down. They were gallant each and every week, managed a few wins for the year and did themselves proud every second they were out there.
The under 15s also had a great season under coach Wayne Quinn. While managing four wins, they were always competitive and narrowly lost against some of the better teams in the competition. They are a great bunch of kids with bright future.
The under 12s once again had a great season with supercoach Pete Pedretti at the helm, going deep into the finals at their lightning premiership and giving it their all every game.
Netball was also very strong this season with A grade undefeated for the season. B grade finished fifth with only two losses and C grade were fourth on the ladder with two losses. The 17 & under team was undefeated all season and finished on top of the ladder. The 15 & under team only lost two games and finished fourth. The 13 & under team won eight games to finish seventh on the ladder and our Buby Burras in the 13 & under B team had an amazing year learning skills and having fun! Every one of our netball teams would have played finals so it was an absolutely amazing season up at the courts.
The club is now taking applications for senior netball coaching positions. Enquiries can be made by calling Jason Dooley on 0407697877. Senior football coaches will be announced soon.
On a very bright note, our new football changerooms have been completed and handed over to the club. We are very proud of the latest addition to facilities at Laurie Sullivan Reserve. The club has tipped in almost $150,000 of its own money to make this project happen along with amazing support of $364,000 from council and $100,000 from Sports & Recreation Victoria. Over $250,000 of the club’s own hard raised funds have now been spent on infrastructure at the Reserve over the last three years with amazing results for the community.
Jason Dooley is the President of the Hepburn Football Netball club.
