The Roys hit Victoria Park on the weekend for an intra club hit out in the preparations for Season 2020.
Both Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women's Coach John Mustafa and Senior Men's Coach Luke Mahoney were pleased with the day and the turnout.
"We had a really good hit out on Saturday with 58 players involved in the intra club game. Our numbers over pre-season have been a real highlight with huge numbers consistently attending training sessions." Mahoney said.
Mahoney was thrilled with the number of players coming through for this season and how they've taken to the game plan. "With a large influx of new and returning players, it was a great opportunity to put into practice what we have been working on at training with our set ups and ball movement. Assistant coaches Mike Manley and Karl Jackson took over the reins for the day with two evenly matched sides playing 4 x 20 minute quarters.
"The coaches were really impressed with the intensity of the game and it was very evident that the players have embraced the subtle changes that have been implemented over summer to our game plan. The biggest take away was that we have an increase in player depth for 2020, with competition for Rd 1 spots to be very competitive over the next 4 weeks. Our supporters can look forward to the team playing an exciting brand of football with plenty of new names to learn!"
Mustafa was also impressed with the women's side and enjoyed his first intra club as coach, expressing that the enthusiasm of the side was palpable.
"It was great to see the enjoyment back in their eyes when they moved the ball. They genuinely wanted to be out there and that was refreshing and motivating as a coach. Our structures are a process, we're still building on them and they will come in time."
The coaches also were grateful to run their hit outs at a top quality venue in Victoria Park.
Mahoney said, "as a club we are very fortunate to have access to Victoria Park, thanks again to Sharon for organising the day."
Reds celebrate 40 years since inaugural premiership
Time to get out the little red shorts and see if they still fit!
The University Reds (the club later to become the Fitzroy Reds, and one very important half of our 2008 merger) is celebrating 40 years since its first premiership witha lunch on Saturday 4 April – the first round of the VAFA season.
Fittingly Fitzroy takes on the Uni Blacks in Round 1 at Brunswick Street Oval and the Reds will take a walk down memory lane to a time when the Reds were almost unstoppable. Almost.
The 1980 F Section Premiers will be out in force and you can book in to join them for what promises to be a very big afternoon full of memories, laughter and some tall stories. The real story is a pretty good one too!
The Reds finished the home and away season in 1980 atop the ladder with 16 wins and two losses. Having lost to Thomastown by one point in the second semi, they went on to exact their revenge in emphatic style with a 10-goal grand final win at the Beaurepaire Centre, Albert Park.
But they almost didn’t make it! Having been five goals down at three quarter time in the Preliminary Final against the Peninsula Old Boys, the Reds stormed home to win by one goal.
The Reserves also finished on top of the ladder after the home and away season but were defeated in the Grand Final.
For those who know Reds Foundation President, Peter Hille, make sure you get a front row seat to hear about his 106-goal season.
Current Fitzroy Treasurer, Michael Smale, was the Reds captain in 1980 and he, coach Andy McNair, and Hille will tell the story of the season that was.
It promises to be a great day with many of the original team lined up to attend and hopeful of
renewing acquaintances with some of the Blacks from back in the day.
To download the Fitzroy-ACU Women's Fixture, click here.
BBQ & bowls to see in Season 2020 - you're invited!
Fitzroy’s season launch will be a casual affair with a competitive element as members, fans and families are invited to join players and coaches for some friendly lawn bowls and a barbie.
Games for all teams will be played across BSO and Ramsden St before the club gathers to wrap up the day at the Bowls Club.
Team mixed bowls will be coordinated on the evening, for those keen to play. A BBQ will be available for a light dinner for $10 and drinks will be at the Bowls Club’s very
reasonable prices.
Come down and meet the men’s and women’s playing groups and coaches and mix in a relaxed environment and try your hand at a game or two of casual bowls.
Love Bontempo Pizza? Don’t just love it. Vote for it!
Our fabulous sponsor, Bontempo Pizza, generously awards best-on-ground performances for our Women’s and Men’s players – both seniors and reserves – with fabulous free meals.
Now it’s our turn to return the favour and vote for them in the Best of Melbourne Pizza Award.
It’s simple!
All you have to do is click the link, enter your name, email address and postcode, and show your support for a local business that shows its support for us!
Last chance to help fill the MCG for the Women's T20 Final this Sunday!
The Women’s T20 World Cup Final is this Sunday, 8 March and will no doubt be a historic event for women's sport but also a great day out.
Our Edinburgh Gardens Sporting Community partner, the Edinburgh Cricket Club, has invited
Fitzroy supporters to play our part as Melbourne attempts to fill the MCG for ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final and smash the record for the highest attendance at a women's sporting event!
You’ll not only help make history, but for every ticket booked using this link, Edinburgh Cricket Club will score $5.00 to support women’s cricket at the local level. How fantastic.
C’mon Roys - let's get behind this fabulous initiative to put women’s sport well and truly on the world map!
It's cooling down - make sure you've got your winter Roys gear!
It's Autumn and the weather is certainly cooling down.
Make sure you've got your winter Roys gear sorted and place your order online now!
