The 2021 season is now complete after we held our presentation dinner just over a week ago. It goes without saying that the Club had its most successful year in its 50 year history. Premierships were achieved in the Men’s A and B grade and the Women’s A grade. We also competed in the Men’s C and Women’s B grade grand finals but were unable to win them.
Our thanks and congratulations must go to the senior coaches of the Men’s and Women’s programmes, Damian Boots and Tom Sexton. Tim Rice led the B grade Men to a Premiership. Henry Curtis and Nathan Bailey were in charge of the C grade Men and Kelly Rossi the B grade Women. Our thanks go to all of these coaches, who spent countless hours guiding their players over the season. The Club had numerous support staff and assistant coaches, who I also thank.
You may be aware that the League had put a proposal to the Clubs, that each division be reduced to eight teams. This was proposed due to a belief that we would have Covid lockdowns next year and the League wanted “wriggle room” to ensure the season was completed fairly. This proposal has now been dismissed and each division will remain as a 10 team competition. This therefore ensures that the OIFC will compete in Division One for the first time in our history. Whilst not officially confirmed, I would expect that our Women will also compete in Division One.
2022 will be a big and challenging year for the Club and we will be seeking additional support in off field roles. As I have suggested on a number of occasions, the Club is now a large organisation and putting six teams on the park every week is a demanding task. To remain a viable and vibrant Club with a sustainable future, we need to continue to develop both on and of the field. I will continue to work on this and will email more on this matter in due course.
I have been in discussions with SACA, who have verbally confirmed our lease extension to 2027. We continue to work well with them and they were very supportive of us and thrilled with our success in 2021.
At the presentation dinner we acknowledged a number of players for their achievements during 2021. I congratulate all award winners.
Listed below are some of the major award winners for your interest.
BEST AND FAIREST
A GRADE MEN S BOOTS and L COMAZZETTO
A GRADE WOMEN E VRODOS
B GRADE MEN N SWAN
B GRADE WOMEN T CUA
C GRADE MEN G PYNE
D GRADE MEN A TWYNSTRA and M THOMAS
SUPPORTERS AWARD S BOOTS
PLAYER OF THE FINALS M BRUNOLI (MENS A GRADE)
PLAYER OF THE FINALS E VRODOS (WOMENS A GRADE)
BEST FIRST YEAR PLAYER L ELLIOTT-MITCHELL (MEN)
BEST FIRST YEAR PLAYER M McCARTHY (WOMEN)
The Club has received emails of congratulations from around the world and we both proud and humbled by this support. I thank our many past players, supporters and sponsors for this encouragement and friendship.
I now look forward to 2022 and will be in touch with more information in the near future.
PAUL KIRCHNER
PRESIDENT OIFC
