It's been a long few weeks Roys fans! But we're back!
We're thrilled to have all our teams back on the park again for Round 10 this weekend. But we know we're still not back to footy as we're used to.
For the moment, while the State Government restrictions still have limits on public gatherings and strict contact tracing protocols, crowds are not allowed at community footy just yet.
We'll miss seeing you all at the footy this weekend and wish you could be there. But please, keep everyone safe, keep the pressure off our limited club representatives who have to perform COVID Safety Officer duties in the area, and keep barracking from home.
Hopefully it's not much longer until we see you back supporting the Roys at our games.
Go Roys
Round 10 fixture
With most of our teams away this weekend, it's making it a little easier to not be there while spectators are not allowed. Fingers crossed you can all be back at the footy with us next week Roys family!
Team
Date
Opponent
Ground
Time
Fitzroy Senior Men
19-June
University Blacks
Melbourne University
Main Oval
2.00pm
Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women
19-June
Monash Blues
Frearson Oval
2.00pm
Fitzroy Reserves Men
19-June
University Blacks
Melbourne University
Main Oval
11.40am
Fitzroy-ACU Reserves Women
19-June
Monash Blues
Frearson Oval
12.00pm
Fitzroy Under 19's
19-June
Old Trinity
Hudson Oval
2.00pm
Fitzroy Thirds
19-June
Monash Blues
Frearson Oval
9.40am
Fitzroy Gold Thirds
19-June
Old Geelong
Ramsden Street Oval
11.40am
Lions support continues to buoy the Roys
Harrison Grace in action on Brunswick Street Oval
In what’s become a modern tradition, every season the Brisbane Lions support emerging Fitzroy talent by sponsoring two rising stars. In 2021, they turned to young guns Harrison Grace and Jaime Nelson.
By Gabrielle Murphy
Harrison Grace and Jaime Nelson have travelled similar paths on their way to our senior Fitzroy squads with both showing obvious star potential, coming through the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, and playing for the Northern Knights.
But where Harrison had the benefit of an uninterrupted career from the age of 10, Jaime had to contend with the obstacles faced by many women in her age group – being barred from footy and only able to play competitively when she was 16.
Jaime certainly made up for lost time though, captaining the FJFC Youth Girls in her second season and leading them to a premiership, playing in the Northern Knights premiership side in 2019, and going on to play in Carlton’s VFLW squad the same year.
Harrison was no slouch either, debuting for the seniors in 2018, playing in the midfield despite his young age, and being named best first-year player in his first full season in 2019.
“I love Fitzroy Football Club’s emphasis on community,” says Harrison. “So many good people, whether it’s the coaches, players, fans or volunteers.
“I also love how Fitzroy embraces diversity. We have an excellent Women’s team, along with numerous strong women in central roles within our club.”
For Jaime, playing in a women’s squad with such an inclusive and supportive culture is what makes playing at Fitzroy so good.
“Playing with women I admire, both as players and as people, is definitely a highlight,” she says.
Brisbane Lions’ Victorian Manager, Sam Lord, emphasises the importance of the Lions’ strong relationship with Fitzroy FC and the Fitzroy Juniors, particularly given obvious historic connections.
“When the Lions aren’t playing in Melbourne, a lot of our fans can be found out at our club’s spiritual home in Fitzroy – the Brunswick Street Oval – watching the Roys in action,” says Sam.
“We’re thrilled to be sponsoring young Harrison and Jaime this year, and will be sure to follow their – and the entire club’s – progress throughout the season.”
Jaime Nelson (centre) celebrates with teammates after a win on Brunswick Street Oval.
There’s more than one way to win a raffle!
Support the Roys to become Number 1!
C’mon, let’s all get on board and support Fitzroy’s major raffle.
Currently sitting outside the top 20 (that’s pretty embarrassing for the most famous and admired club in the VAFA), we really need to lift our game. And in the process, get the Roys back on the Toyota Good for Footy Raffle leaderboard.
Tickets are only $5 each, with three brand new Toyotas up for grabs!
If we all pitch in and buy a few tickets each, we’ll move up that ladder and raise the funds we desperately need to get our players out on the park each season.
The Good For Footy raffle officially closes at 12pm on 10 September, but if the total is reached earlier, it will be closed off before that. So time is of the essence!
We’re blessed with the talents of a number of photographers, who have been out and about at Fitzroy games across Melbourne and sharing their images not only with the club, but the wider AFL community.
Over the break we took the opportunity to update our 2021 gallery and think that you'll be as thrilled as we are with the work of Hannah Knocker (Women’s squad), Peter Harrison (Thirds Gold and Women’s squads) and our award-winning Phyllis Quealy (Men’s and Women’s senior games).
No surprise that the Pride game features heavily, with all three of our photographers coming along to make sure we had every angle covered.
And it’s great to be able to catch up with the top-of-the-table Thirds Gold action, beautifully captured by Peter, particularly at the home games at Ramsden Street.
Need a last-minute tax deduction? Donate to the Roys!
It's coming up to tax time!
We are a strong, vibrant community club with a proud history that we are passionate about preserving and strengthening as we pursue success on and off the field.
To continue to strive for success and deliver the best football club experience to our community, the club established an Operations Fund where donations will be used to support the day-to-day running of the Club. This is facilitated by our partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, which allows all donations to the Fitzroy Forever Operations Fund to be fully tax deductible.
Coming up to June 30, it’s a good time to do some tax planning and why not make a contribution to help the club remain strong and vibrant—and get a tax deduction as well!
