RedRoy Mail - 21 January 2022

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RedRoy Mail - your update from Fitzroy Football Club.

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Notice of the 137^th FFC Annual General Meeting

The 137^th AGM will be held at the Community Room at the Fitzroy Football Club Grandstand, Brunswick St North Fitzroy on Sunday 13 February 2022 at 2.30pm. It is our intention to hold the event in person, but we will follow the Government’s COVID advice that may change before the date of the AGM. If we are not able to hold the event in person then we will hold the meeting online and details will be sent to you closer to the event.

Confirmation of the Minutes :
Confirmation of the Minutes of the 136^th Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 28 February 2021.

To receive reports :
To receive the Report of the Directors for season 2021 and the Financial Report for the year ended 31^st October 2021.

To Re-elect Directors:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 104 of the Articles of association, Joan Eddy and Kate Nolan retire and do not seek re-election to the Board.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 107 of the Articles of Association, Corbin Stevic and Emily Anderson have been nominated for election to the Board.

To elect Honorary Life Members
In accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Articles of Association, the following members have been recommended by the Board of Management for election as Honorary Life Members of the Club:

Dave Barnes
Ross Bartel
Toby Hudson Bevege
Nathan Ligris
Raph Lloyd
Bryce McAdam
Kai Menzies
Michael Pickering
Nathan White
General Business as permitted by the Chair

5.1 FFC Strategic Plan Presentation

Sophie Arnold will present the major findings of the consultation with members and stakeholders and the plan endorsed by Directors.

Approved by WL Atherton and Sharon Torney Co-Company Secretaries

Appointment of Proxies:

A shareholder member may appoint not more than two proxies, neither of who need to be a member of the Club. Any other member may appoint one proxy who need not be a member of the Club. If a member appoints one proxy only, that proxy shall be entitled to vote on a show of hands. Where a shareholder member appoints two or more proxies, the appointment shall be of no effect unless each proxy is appointed to represent a specified proportion of the member’s voting rights.
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointer or his attorney duly authorised in writing, or if the appointer is a corporation either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised.
A proxy need not be a member
Forms of proxy must be lodged with the Secretary 24 hours prior to the meeting.
To download the proxy form, click here and email to secretary@fitzroyfc.com.au

Important Information Regarding Attending the Event and COVID-19 Protocols

We need you to RSVP in order to attend the AGM so we can provide you with updated information on COVID requirements. Please RSVP to governance@fitzroyfc.com.au or call Bill Atherton on 9580 6464 during business hours , no later than Thursday 10^th February 2022.
Attendees to the AGM must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be required to check in with the provided QR code or manual register. Masks must be worn indoors and/or in accordance with the current COVID-19 requirements as determined by the State Government. Up to date information regarding COVID-19 protocols will be distributed before the AGM.
Please do not attend the AGM if you have been directed to isolate or feel unwell.
If you cannot attend, we will publish a story outlining the year’s results and highlights on the website in the next few days following the meeting.

Legend steps down, heir apparent steps up

After more than 12 years as President and 13 on the Board, Joan Eddy has steered the Fitzroy Football Club incorporating the Fitzroy Reds from strength to strength, building on the club’s enviable and unmatched history in the VFA, VFL, AFL, VWFL and the VAFA to champion innovations in community football such as Indigenous recognition, women’s footy and player wellbeing and leadership programs. Along the way she’s created the foundations for the club’s strong governance and ongoing financial growth and stability. That’s what we all know, but with her retirement, the RedRoy Mail thinks it’s time to pass over to Joan for her reflections at this momentous time in the history of the famous Fitzroy Football Club. Over to you Joan…

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As I prepare to pass on the reins of the presidency, I’m feeling very confident about the place the club is at. Fitzroy members, players, supporters, coaches, community partners, sponsors, volunteers and, of course, its Board, continue to be an awesome group who together make a wonderful contribution to the life of our club.

People often ask me what makes the Fitzroy Football Club so special. Certainly, the history and legacy of the Club that began in 1883 and merged with the Fitzroy Reds in 2008 is generally well known and contributes to it being universally loved. And I can’t describe how privileged and honoured I have always felt about being its President.

But it’s the emergence of our identity as a community football club since the Reds merger that makes me feel most proud—the club’s commitment to the wonderful amateur tradition espoused by the VAFA motto, ‘love of the game’, the importance of being a relevant and contributing community partner, of working hard to champion inclusivity and diversity, of understanding that we still and always will, have so much to learn, and of realising that we all have so much more in common than we are different. And that if we are prepared to stand up for those principles and always, always find the joy in in whatever our role in the club is—even through the tough times (maybe even especially then), we’ll come out on top.

I’m retiring now because it’s time. It’s as simple as that. Regeneration and succession planning at a Board (and community) level is critical to the wellbeing of every club, and at Fitzroy we want to make sure we continue to develop the next generation of club leaders, both on and off the field.

The club’s Board is made up of committed, competent and dynamic directors who will continue to guide us through its next period of growth and development. I can’t describe in words what an extraordinary group of people they have been to work with, and I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me and what they do for the club. I am so grateful to them, and all the directors I have had the privilege of serving with over this past 13 years.

The incoming President, David Leydon, epitomises everything that is great about the Fitzroy Football Club and he will continue to be an outstanding leader for the Roys. With a family history as a loyal lifelong supporter, he brings something extra special to the role of President. Elected to the FFC Board at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and Vice President since 2020, we are so lucky to have him in the role of President from the start of the 2022 year.

There are simply too many people to thank in writing, so I’ve made the decision to not name any individual in this article – you all know who you are. You are all members of either my blood family, my extended family, my Fitzroy family, my friends—many a combination of some or all of the above. What I will say is that each of you has given me so much support and been wonderful mentors and contributors, to the club, and to my life.

Kate and I will not be strangers! We’ll be at games and Kate and I will not be able to keep the smiles off our faces as we hear the song when our senior women’s and men’s teams take the field, or when we hear any of our teams sing it after a win.

In fact, there is something to smile about at any Fitzroy game that is being played.

Always was, always will be.

Thank you Kate!

Kate Nolan has served the Fitzroy Football Club as a Director for almost seven years after taking up a casual vacancy as Director of Communications and Media in 2015. Kate has achieved so much in her role and the Club is grateful for her service, always going above and beyond to make our communications sparkle and deliver outstanding events. In her own words, Kate shares what being part of Fitzroy has meant to her.

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As I prepare to step down, I feel so lucky and grateful to have been welcomed into the fabulous Fitzroy family. It's something you cannot explain, if you don't experience it. I think everyone who does, knows how lucky they are. I cannot imagine staying away for long. I have gained so many friendships and more.

I'm particularly proud that in my first full year on the Board, we voted to establish our women's football program in partnership with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and seeing the Club embrace women's footy has been really rewarding, with so much potential for growth.

With a Board of just five Directors, we couldn't have been more thrilled when the Senior and Reserves Men took out the 2018 Premier C premierships. It was a hard slog, but just so rewarding to see the team bounce straight back after relegation. The Women's Ressies also made the grand final and Thirds played in the prelim that year too (I'm sure Trent will snag the trophy soon!). It was busy but so much fun!

I have so many highlights and it's hard to name them all, but some of the things I'm particularly proud of from my time as Director are:

Our first Pride game last year against the Uni Melb Women's Team. From an initial discussion with then captain Gemma Minuz several years ago, to seeing it all come to fruition with some incredibly hard work and collaboration—it's hard to believe we got it done despite the COVID complications. It sets us up so well for the future and the presence of so many from the Club on the day strongly demonstrates the full commitment to inclusion.
Along those lines, I am also just rapt that the club is embracing the Respectful Relationships program, which is a strong statement from an amateur club, and really shows leadership in this area. Michael Pickering has done so much for this Club, on field and off, and this may be one of our most enduring legacies.
When I first arrived, the first job I was given was to 'fix the website'. Work was already underway, but I've worked strongly with our sponsors Fitzroy IT all the way through my time at the club and they have helped us achieve probably the best website in the VAFA. With our ability now to transact so much of our business online, really playing a strong roll in increasing our revenue from merchandise and other sales, and reducing a lot of the admin time for volunteers.
When the VAFA established their first media awards, Fitzroy took out two of the four in the first year, and still holds the most awards and the most nominations. I was thrilled we could nominate so many of our outstanding volunteers and see their work acknowledged. It was no surprise to us to learn Phyllis Quealy was the best football photographer going around, always capturing the essence of Fitzroy, on and off field.
To see the RedRoy mail and social media develop a really strong following has also been important to the Club in maintaining connections with old and new fans, and it's really remarkable when we see the membership purchases coming in from WA, the UK and other far-flung locations. Our history is really such a strength.
Working with the players on things like coaching clinics with Yarra Youth Services for the kids at Atherton Gardens and the St Vincent's Hospital fundraising walk were also part of an important pattern of connecting with the local community, which continues to grow.
The game day lunches have been such a highlight of my time. We've pulled off some real coups and also woven in important social issues too. Working with Prof Clare Wright OAM to establish the first Literary lunch with a star-studded panel, was extremely rewarding, as was our big day with Susan Alberti AC, and other perhaps lower-profile guests who surprised and challenged us just the same, addressing things like mental health and sports gambling. Every year we ran a women in footy lunch too and some of the early guests have now gone on to be household names – people like Katie Brennan, Lauren Arnell and Kaitlyn Ashmore. Without a doubt the most popular lunches were the ones featuring the heroes of Fitzroy's VFL/AFL days, with my favourite having to be the Serafini Brothers, bringing down the house.
The most moving would have to have been our first Indigenous lunch with an on-field Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by Uncle Ron Jones and guest speaker, Glenn James OAM. The buglers, speakers and ceremonies on ANZAC Day are also hard to match.
Running three Redlows at the Regal Ballroom also had its rewards, particularly when we convinced the fabulous Dr Kasey Symons to emcee for us, soon after luring her to the Board, where she continues as an outstanding contributor. We have her to thank for securing the Change Her Game grant which enabled us to get the Pride Game off the ground and she was really such a driver and a huge force in getting the job done. I want to thank Kasey for all her work taking the role of Director: Comms and Marketing to the next level since joining the Board. The virtual Redlow was also quite amazing this year.
My other highlight is just Sharon Torney! What would this club do without her? I marvel at her mind, her patience and her work ethic all the time. Thanks Sharon. You are incredible.

I want to give a huge thank you to Anita Roper and Tom Sargant who interviewed me and brought me onto the board and encouraged me when I was very unsure in the early days. Joan has been just a powerhouse President and I have learnt so much from her. Congratulations Joan on your incredible legacy and all you've achieved in community football. I'm sure there's more to come. Like me, I reckon she might be hard to keep away!

My special love and thanks go to the Directors, especially the fab five who made it through 2018, and my partner in crime for so much of the comms work in the early days, Gabrielle Murphy. I want to call out Phyllis, Kerry Winchester, Bill Atherton, Dave Barnes, Tom Roper, Louise and Steve, Rob and Anne, and so many more. All of the coaches, along with captains Jules, Cass, Gemma, Rory, Jess and Alexa have been a delight to work with as we've attempted to wrangle so many player events. It's never easy, but the great humour and commitment to getting a good outcome means we got the job done.

Finally, I would encourage anyone to volunteer with this great Club. There can never be enough hands getting seven teams on the park every week and you will get plenty back in return. And sponsoring male and female players each year, whether they know who you are or they don't, gives you a greater connection to what's going on field and is a very meaningful contribution to the Club and to players who have to pay to play.

Thanks Fitzroy, for all you've given me.

Kate Nolan

2022 Membership renewals open now!

MEMBERSHIP SALES ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2022!

You should have by now received your membership renewal notice in the post for Season 2022. If you haven't received a letter, please contact Director of Client Relations and Vice President, David Leydon to confirm and/or update your address on 0408 998 849 or email: client_relations@fitzroyfc.com.au

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN RENEW ONLINE?

You can renew your membership online via our website as well as purchase new memberships for friends and family (Fitzroy Football Club Memberships make great gifts!).

Renew your membership online now!

If you prefer to renew your membership by post, simply follow the instructions on your letter.

We look forward to seeing you back at the football in 2022!

2022 pre season training

Pre season training will commence on the 17th of January for the Men's squads and the 2nd of February for the Women's squad.

Men's squads: Monday 17th January 6.15pm start

Mondays:

Senior Men's @ Victoria Park

Thirds & U19s @ Victoria Park

Wednesdays:

Senior Men's @ McCutchan Oval

Thirds & U19s @ McCutchan Oval

Women's squad: Wednesday 2nd February 6.15pm start

Mondays:

Senior Women's @ Corben Oval

Wednesdays:

Senior Women's @ Olney Oval

Know someone who wants to pull on the boots in 2022?

We're keen to hear from passionate amateur footballers, ready to step into our senior women's or men's team. Email or call our Director Player Recruitment and Wellbeing, Michael Pickering at Player_Wellbeing@fitzroyfc.com.au or call on 0419 849 662 to get information to come down to pre season training!