2020 Year in Review

Played out across a 13-week, COVID-shortened season, 2020 still delivered football, connection and four men’s premierships — and President Peter Burgess’s reflection on a club determined to keep its community together.

• President: Peter Burgess
• 630 players across the club
• A 13-week COVID-shortened season
• Four men’s premierships: 21B, AL10, 35B & 35F
• Women’s A grade again in the top four — a 16th successive year in the grade

From the President’s Report

There are no prizes for guessing that 2020 will be remembered for the overall impact on all our lives. In the circumstances to have had a 13-week season of football has been remarkable. The efforts of our association and peak bodies in providing the platform to make this happen are to be highly commended. The results showed clear evidence of the importance sport plays within our social fabric. I’m sure our experience was similar to most clubs with the end of season marked by happy faces appreciative of the fact they could get out of the house to play, exercise and be with friends. Huge congratulations to all our leaders who helped make this happen.

We had 630 players again in 2020 however there was a re-distribution towards younger players. We now have a number of social members participating in other activities around the club. This is enabling people to stay connected with the community we have created.

Our player development team has worked diligently to ensure the focus of our teams is on getting the best out of themselves rather than winning. We deliberately pushed many junior teams up a grade this year and it is pleasing to say that the majority performed well reaching mid-table positions. We are committed to instilling this philosophy across our club and will launch a website soon to help parents, coaches, players and supporters access background information to support our approach. The panel of external mentors we have assembled for this project is just amazing.

Our men’s teams enjoyed amazing success in 2020. Four of the 19 male teams won premierships in 21B, AL10, 35B & 35F. In open men’s our other teams finished 5, 3, 3 and 8 respectively with most being in the minor premiership race until late in the season.

Women’s football was marked by the universal acceptance of our technical director program which was introduced on the back of previous success within the Miniroos ranks. Our Women’s A grade again achieved a top 4 position in its 16 successive year in this grade. We are immensely proud of this long-term role in women’s football and are hopeful that we can establish a team for the proposed South Coast/SSFA Women’s Super League competition.

Off field activities were somewhat curtailed this season however having access to The Hangar gave us a venue we could at least host some small team functions at year end. Subject to public health restrictions being further relieved we have a few off-season activities planned including our Golf Day and a massive 40th Anniversary Community Party the week before Easter 2021.

We were fortunate to attract additional volunteers to some key roles and signs are there that this trend will continue. We work hard to match people’s skills with the tasks required and this seems to be working. It may just be that the heightened importance community engagement has assumed during the pandemic will lead to more people contributing. As many of us know volunteering brings great personal satisfaction.

The pandemic saw us down on revenues in sponsorship, hall hire and canteen income. Fortunately, we went into the season with strong reserves. Combined with our association arranging fee reductions we have traded satisfactorily and have been able to apply reserves to further improvements for the benefit of members.

We are very fortunate to have a highly capable and motivated committee providing leadership across the club. Our commitment to continual improvement in each area of operations ensures we continue to build upon a strong base to provide our members with the best experience we can.

Sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to making the 2020 season a success. We look forward to a more normal 2021.

Peter Burgess
President, Bonnet Bay Football Club

Source: this report is reproduced from Bonnet Bay FC’s submission to the Sutherland Shire Football Association 2020 Year in Review.