RedRoy Mail - 5 November 2021

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RedRoy Mail - your update from Fitzroy Football Club.

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Play for the Roys in 2022!

We want you! Yes, we do!

The Fitzroy Football Club is gearing up for a big 2022 season and we want you to get involved! We're looking forward to seeing all our Roys back on the track, and we'd also love to welcome some fresh faces to our great Club!

After another season disrupted by COVID-19, we're keen to hit the track and get back to playing the game we love.

We're keen to hear from passionate men and women amateur footballers, ready to step into our Senior Men's or Women's team.

If you know anyone who might be keen to be a Roy Girl or Roy Boy, please encourage them to reach out!

Email or call our Director Player Recruitment and Wellbeing, Michael Pickering at Player_Wellbeing@fitzroyfc.com.au or call on 0419 849 662 to register your interest and receive return to training details when dates are announced.

Get well soon Steve!

The Fitzroy Football Club is sending warm wishes to one of our most treasured volunteers and our 2019 Club Person of the Year, Steve Maniakatis.

Steve is recovering from a recent health issue and after a tough time, is beginning to feel much better. We wish you all the best in your recovery Steve and look forward to seeing you back at the footy in 2022!

Congratulations Michael Harper

The Fitzroy Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Harper to the role of Senior Coach of our Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women's Team.

Harps brings longterm experience and connection with our squad to the role, having been part of our community and working with our Senior Women for some time, assisting with coaching and development. His established and valued connection to Fitzroy makes this appointment an exciting move for the Club.

"I’m looking forward to the next step with our playing group's development, improving our skill level and game plan, and obtaining results that reflect our efforts." Harps says. "It would also be wonderful to play a full season of football after two tough seasons of COVID interruptions"

Looking forward to 2022, Harps is looking to capitalise on the strong season the side had in 2021 which saw them make finals despite those interruptions.

"The playing group showed some real promise in the second half of 2021, the aim is now to pick up where we left off. We have managed to assemble a coaching group who have all been involved with the Senior or Reserves teams at some stage or another, and this will allow us to plan a strategy based on our strong knowledge of the group."

Reflecting on what this step means to him, Harps is still focussed on the squad and working to give women more opportunities and support in the growing women's footy space.

"On a personal, and coaching level, the role presents a new challenge for me, along with the opportunity to contribute towards the fastest growing sport among women in Australia."

For new players who might want to join the Roys in 2022, Harps encourages women wanting to play to come on down and join a great Club with a great culture.

"Fitzroy FC is a community club catering for all levels of football ability. Our existing playing group are inclusive, considerate and dedicated. Our coaching group are here to support your growth and encourage you to develop your skills. We are excited about the journey in front of us and welcome all players interested in joining our great Club."

Email or call our Director Player Recruitment and Wellbeing, Michael Pickering at Player_Wellbeing@fitzroyfc.com.au or call on 0419 849 662 to register your interest to play.

2022 Coaches

Here are our coaches for the 2022 VAFA Season!

Our appointments and re-appointments of Club leaders will take us into a strong 2022 season across our seven sides.

Senior Men

Luke Mahoney — as previously announced, Luke has been reappointed as our Senior Men's Coach
Matt Larkin — Senior Assistant Coach
Karl Jackson — Assistant Coach
Mike Manley — Assistant Coach: Defence & Opposition Analysis
Andrew Pettigrove — Development Coach (Part-time)
Michael Phyphers — Head Fitness
Bernie Carter — Reserve Men's Coach

Senior Women

Michael Harper — recently announced as Senior Women's Coach
Mel Story — Senior Assistant Coach
Nathan Jumeau — Assistant Coach
Nathan McLean — Reserves Women's Coach
Simon Jackson — Assistant Coach

U19s

Silvano Inserra — U19s Coach
Kane King — U19s Assistant Coach

Thirds

Trent Coleman —Thirds Coach

Gold Thirds - TBA

2021 Gold Thirds coach Cameron Ball will make his playing return in 2022 and we are currently recruiting for this position.

Thirds season review

By Thirds coach Trent Coleman

After the cancellation of the 2020 season, the call to 'Bring On 2021' was obviously heard loud and clear across the 3065 postcode and beyond as the numbers at the Roys Thirds preseason training was nothing short of amazing.

There were regularly 35 plus on the track each night, represented by a strong return of 2019 players, the 2020 committed trainers and a plethora of new 2021 players. The commitment, skill level and camaraderie was up early. It was truly a sight to see. Selection alarm bells were ringing early.

Tim Denatris deservedly retained the captaincy and was backed by an all-new leadership group of Kai Menzies, Matthew Gloster and Josh Sawyer. Such a formidable mob of talent.

The start of 2021 saw a fully loaded Roys Thirds intraclub, the desire in which everyone chased the footy was perfect. Yep, it was great to be back on the park again. For the record, the Roys won.

Our second preseason game was a solid hit out against Marcellin where Bryce McAdam had a free kick awarded against him for going too hard in a practice game. I'd like to see the rule book on that one.

The 2021 season proper got underway on a Sunday at good 'ole Brunswick Street Oval where we had a great win against Ajax and the crowd support was all you could have wished for. However, it would be another 5 weeks before we would play another home game.

We suffered tough away losses in rounds two and three against Trinity and De La Salle before bouncing back in round four under the Friday night lights at Beaumaris. We pushed the league leaders Xavier in round five, falling just four points short of the win. Then in what was perhaps out most cutting loss for the year, a one-point loss in round six against Brighton at their swimming pool of a ground. Hard footy was played that day, and it was a hard result to take.

Finally(!) we returned to a home game at Rammo. Round seven saw us get our season back on track with a win against Monash. It was great to see so many new players get their first win on our hallowed turf.

Then COVID caused the first of two mid-season breaks.

In a weird fixture twist, the season resumed in round 10 with us playing Monash again where we got the win. The coach is still paying off his 'late fee' fine. Back at Rammo in round 11 we had a win against Beaumaris, before traveling to Ajax the following week where again we took home the four points.

Round 14 saw us take on Xavier at Rammo. We couldn't bring home the win, but that's ok, we made finals again finishing third on the ladder. Unfortunately, even with every finger crossed by those who love the Red, Gold and Blue, nothing could stop the season being cancelled. It's fair to say unfinished business awaits us all next year.

As a playing group, this coach could not ask from more. What my squad achieved this year through pure grit, determination and mateship was second to none. If we bring that as our platform to build on next year I see some very bright times ahead.

Congratulations the joint Best and Fairest winners Kai Menzies and Matthew Gloster as well as runner up Oliver Hornung. Congratulations also goes to Rustin Bulmer for his coach's award and supreme umpiring skills.

Well done to all the milestone gamers of Ross Bartell, Kai Menzies, Liam Sugre, Rustin Bulmer, Alasdair Mulligan and to Tim Denatris for coming third in the league goal kicking.

A huge thank you to the Club and the Board for the opportunity be a part of the Roys. Thank you also goes to the other Coaches and everyone who assisted me off field week in week out.

Bring on 2022!

Look back at the season reviews from our other sides:

Senior Women
Senior Men
Reserves Women
Reserves Men
Under 19s
Gold Thirds

Fitzroy Business Directory

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Fitzroy Football Club Business Directory!

The Fitzroy Football Club Business Directory is another initiative that sees us supporting the businesses that support our great Club and its players.

The support of our sponsors, partners and members is what keeps us going on and off the field. Fitzroy has a unique history and place in the hearts and minds of our loyal and inclusive community. Which is why we know we're stronger when we all support each other, especially during this time.

Fitzroy has one of the largest followers and interaction on social media in the VAFA and as of November 2021, our Facebook page has over 4,800 followers and 2, 800 Twitter followers. That’s a lot of people who are regularly coming to us – you don’t have to chase them to deliver your message. That’s a lot of friendly buying power!

Find out more about our strong digital audience here.

The Fitzroy Football Club Business Directory is an opportunity to connect our people with the businesses and services in our community. If you're a business looking for new ways to reach an audience, create meaningful offers and build more connections to the local community, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!

We're open to discuss your needs, budget and options—let's chat about what works for your business and how we can work together.

Contact Rob Olney, Director Sponsorship – sponsorship@FFC.com.au or on 0413 767 907.

Alternatively, you can fill out this form with your information and a bit about your business and we'll get in touch at a time that suits you.

Let's work together to support great football, great culture and a great community in our Fitzroy area!

Vale Bert Newton

The Fitzroy Football Club sends our condolences to the family and friends of Bert Newton who sadly passed away on Saturday 30th October.

We know that the Roys held a special place in Bert's heart and we thank him for his love and support.

Thanks to Anthony Brady, William Westerman and Adrian Sal for sharing these memories of Bert with us on social media.