“Obviously, the league preferred to execute its season largely as it has for decades but the intervening COVID pandemic and cross border complications have prevented the season reaching any real climax,” Yarrawonga Football Netball Club President Ross Mulquiney said.
“I want to take this time to thank our players. I cannot really imagine what it is like to prepare and be and ready only to have circumstances beyond your control take your sport away and at the same time have your ability to mix and socialise also taken.
“You have continued to present and your efforts around your club whether they be training, a working bee, moving a pallet of beer or rearranging the social rooms, well, thank you!
“To our coaching staff, from our AWJFL, junior netball to senior coaches, this season has presented challenges more difficult than a 2020 season that never got going. I want to thank you for the manner in which you continually simply looked to the task in front and how to best manage and look after your players.”
The president’s end of season message continued. “To the club’s board, you kept it simple, simply focusing on your core purpose: to present opportunities for people in our community to play sport in the best environment possible. Thank you. Whilst running a club for two seasons with only five home games has been a fiscal nightmare, ultimately people are judged by how they handle adversity, when tested.
“To our followers, supporters and members: we wish we could be showcasing our elite netball talent or our all-conquering second XVIII on a sunbathed arena in Spring or enjoying the turn of the weather at the Grove Oval on Thursday evening as the excitement builds for the season’s end. But it is not to be. We are working hard to ensure the 2022 Pigeons are a club to proud to be part of.
“Lastly to our partners, I am not sure how to thank you for your support. However, I do want to use this forum to do so publicly. Belmores, Blum, Silverwoods/Lotus, MDMK, Yarrawonga Holiday Park and STF Engineering we could not deliver football and netball for the kids of the community without you.
“Our major partners ClubMulwala and Kennedy Builders you are bedrocks for our club. In particular, ClubMulwala, a multi-decade partnership and even despite the hardships of COVID in 2020 your support remains unwavering, we as a club are in your debt.”
Mr Mulquiney said whilst the YFNC looks forward to seasons ahead free of the ravages of the pandemic, perhaps this hardship also helps to see that the most important things are not things: connection, friendship and working together for a common purpose and with a season cancelled coincidentally on RUOK Day, there could not be a better time to reach out and make that impact in another’s life – ultimately that is why clubs exist and what makes a club great!
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives: Jackie Robinson.
