COVID-19 UPDATE: Cancellation of 2020 Football and Netball

Boronia Hawks are naturally very disappointed that the 2020 junior season has now been cancelled. We fully understand the reasons for this decision but we all share the disappointment that our juniors will feel after training for several weeks to get ready to play. The Club will now assess the impact of the decision and provide further advice to junior families as soon as possible.

The joint statement from EFNL and other metropolitan leagues is as follows:

JOINT STATEMENT – 2020 COMPETITIONS CANCELLED

The Eastern Football Netball League, in conjunction with the Northern Football Netball League, Essendon District Football League, Western Region Football League and South East Juniors wishes to issue a statement regarding the 2020 season.

Following the State Government’s announcement of a return to Stage 3 restrictions in Metropolitan Melbourne for six weeks commencing July 9, the EFNL, NFNL, EDFL, WRFL and SEJ have collectively decided to cancel all football and netball competitions for the 2020 season.

The common view was that cancelling all competitions for the 2020 season was the only viable decision in the best interest of all clubs, participants, and the wider community.

All leagues and their member clubs have a clear obligation to prioritise the health and safety of all participants and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a duty to minimise the burden on all club volunteers during this unprecedented time.

The leagues are committed to working closely with their member clubs, AFL Victoria, and Netball Victoria to manage the associated issues related to the cancellation of all 2020 competitions and working towards a return to play next season.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for their patience, support and understanding throughout these challenging times.

Please stay safe and we urge all associated with our respective communities to heed the advice and regulations in place by order of the State Government.

We all have a role to play in ensuring our community remains safe and healthy and that we can all return to football and netball next season.

All clubs are reminded that club-sanctioned training and events are prohibited until at least August 19, as per Stage 3 restrictions.

Further updates will be provided in due course via your respective league.

Club Statement on the 2020 Season

As a club, and Boronia community, we’re all feeling disappointed with the decision to cancel the 2020 season for senior men and women.

The club plays such a huge part of the lives and wellbeing of so many people, and to know that we will need to go without it for the foreseeable future, in a time when perhaps we need it most, is hard to swallow. With so many sad and tragic events in Australia and around the world, we must keep our footy in perspective but we all could do with the support of our footy family that comes from sharing a laugh at training and on game day.

In saying this, we appreciate and acknowledge the leadership of the EFNL in navigating through an unprecedented situation. We recognise that this has been a difficult decision with a number of factors in play, and ultimately the decision has been based on the health and safety of all of our members, and the future viability of club’s within the league. In a tough time, we can’t do anything but respect this decision and appreciate the work that’s occurred and will continue to occur, behind the scenes for the betterment of football and netball in the east.

As a Club we are in strong position, and we have an amazing group of volunteers and supporters. We’ve created some serious momentum and our Board and Committees will keep pushing to ensure we are in an even stronger position when senior football and netball returns in 2021.

Thank you to all of our club members for their positivity and resilience over the past few months. I couldn’t be more proud of the club and know we will face the next period in the same way.

While we’re thrilled our junior footballers will be able to participate in a modified season, and look forward to supporting our little Hawka’s in 2020, we still face a number of challenges, but will meet them with thorough planning and optimism.

We will continue to build our Club off the field with renewed enthusiasm to ensure that we continue the momentum we’ve created over the past few years. We will come back stronger.

Our focuses are clear for the remainder of 2020:

  1. The health and wellbeing of our senior players and members – the consequential impacts on the health, wellbeing and social connection of club members can not be underestimated. Continuing engagement and support will be the overwhelming priority over the coming months.
  2. Building our momentum off-field – we will continue our work off the field to strengthen our strategic and operational efforts.
  3. Our Juniors – what a fantastic opportunity for the Club to throw its full support behind our junior teams for the coming months and help foster the next generation of Boronia men and women.

We understand this news has been devastating for our members and encourage everyone to look at the wellbeing hub on our website, and continue to connect and support each other in a difficult time.

We also our encourage our members to be respectful with any commentary made on social media, as we understand that many may be feeling frustrated and disappointed with the decision.

For our Juniors, we’re excited to support you with all of the Club behind you. Coaches will begin to communicate with each group in the coming days.

If anyone has questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Scott on 0403 238 494. Thanks again to everyone in the HAWKA community. You’re all amazing, and YOU are the reason this Club is what it is today.

GO HAWKA.

Scott Nicholas

Chairman, Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club Inc.


2020 Junior Fixture – lock in the dates!

The 2020 Eastern Football Netball League junior fixture dates have been officially released. 

The respective home and away seasons for boys and girls will kick off on Sunday, April 19, while the Under-10 Girls Lightning Premiership will be held on Friday, April 17. Meanwhile, Respect Round takes place across Round 3 and 4, as the Under-9 Boys’ Lightning Premiership is scheduled for Round 14. EFNL Presentation evening will be held on Tuesday, September 1.

Boronia Juniors are proudly supported by Dan Bolton and Fletchers Mooroolbark.
Boronia Juniors are proudly supported by Dan Bolton and Fletchers Mooroolbark.

Registrations and Transfers for 2020

All senior and Under 19’s players are encouraged to register now to play with Boronia in 2020.

Please follow this link to join the Hawks: REGISTER HERE!

Please note: $25 is payable to the League, not the Club, to ensure your insurance coverage over the preseason.

Transfers

Players who require a transfer to Boronia can contact Dave Nicholas via Facebook Messenger or via boroniahawksfc@gmail.com

Clearances close on 30 November, then reopen again on 1 February, so it would be great to get it all done early!

Harry Burgess is Back to Boronia in 2020

Boronia Hawks are very pleased to announce that 2018 premiership defender Harry Burgess has returned from a successful season in the USA and will be playing with Boronia again in 2020.

Harry spent the 2019 season in Texas with the Austin Crows and played a key role in their premiership in the USAFL Division 1 National Championships.

2019 was a huge season for the Burgess family. Corey Burgess had an outstanding season with the Hawks, winning selection in the EFNL Team of the Year. The patriarch, Tim Burgess was also recognised as Boronia’s Club Person of the Year for his enormous contribution to the Club.

We can now look forward to seeing the two Burgess Boys back together again in 2020. Please welcome Harry Back to Boronia!


https://www.barkking.com.au

Boronia Hawks to Kick Start for 2020!

Boronia Hawks will kick start the 2020 preseason as footy training gets under way. We also have our second “Come and Try Night” for Women Footballers!


Junior Boys and Girls are invited to come to our Junior Registration Day on Sunday 17 November at Tormore Reserve from 10:00am to 11:30am. Meet the coaches and sign up to receive discounted club membership for 2020. Get out on the oval to have a kick as well.

Any questions? Please contact our Junior Registrar, Stacey Peril on 0488 336 519 or stacey.hawks@bigpond.com


Senior Men’s footballers, together with Under 19’s and Under 17’s, are expected to attend this first session to kick off the pre-Xmas preseason. Training for 2020 commences on Monday 18 November at Boronia Salvation Army Oval from 6:00pm on Monday & Wednesdays.

Please contact Ash Johnston, Football Director, on 0433 365 286 for any questions.


Our Senior Women’s Teams will be starting their 2020 campaign on Tuesday 19 November at Boronia K-12 College from 6:00pm.

Come and join a fun, welcoming and inclusive team environment, at one of the Eastern Football Netball League‘s destination clubs. After making finals for the first time in 2019, the Hawks are on the rise in 2020 fielding two teams for the first time! 

Coaching and volunteer roles are also available, so if you’re interested in being part of a Women’s Football Team come and get involved!

Please contact Scott Nicholas, Senior Coach, on 0403 238 494 for more information.


The Boronia Veterans Team will start their preseason training (and recovery sessions) from Wednesday 20 November. Venue is still to be finalised, so keep an eye out for an update.

Please contact Team Manager, Jason Davis on 0425 749 818 for more information.



KICK OFF! Senior Men’s Preseason Training

Boronia Hawks senior men’s team will kick off preseason training for the 2020 season on Monday 18 November.

All senior men’s footballers, together with Under 19’s and Under 17’s, are expected to attend this first session to kick off the pre-Xmas preseason. Sessions will be held on Monday and Wednesday for four weeks from 6:00pm sharp at the Boronia Salvation Army Oval at 2 Liverpool Road, Boronia.

Please contact Ash Johnston, Football Director, on 0433 365 286 for any questions.


Supporters are welcome to attend, but all sessions at this venue are strictly ALCOHOL FREE events.

https://www.barkking.com.au

Under 17’s Coaching Announcement

BHFNC is delighted to announce the return of 1986 premiership player, Pierre Schumann as 2020 Under 17 Coach.

Left to Right: Andrew Catley (Junior Coaching Co-ordinator); Craig McKenzie (Under 19’s Coach); Kristan Wood (Junior President); Pierre Schumann (Under 17’s Coach) and Nick Wheeler (Under 17’s Assistant Coach).

Pierre has a long and distinguished career as both a player and coach. He has coached Under 19 teams to 4 premierships and reserves teams to 2 premierships at Knox Football Club. Only this year, Pierre was coach of a most successful Under 19’s side at Knox.

Supporting Pierre will be Nick Wheeler and Kim Brimelow. Nick has had coaching experience at Knox, Eastern Ranges and Upper Gully Football Clubs. Nick brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and he will be great support to Pierre. Kim also has a wealth of coaching experience and we are confident this coaching team will give our players the foundations required to be successful at the senior level.

We welcome Pierre, Kim and Nick to ‘The Hawka’ and wish them much enjoyment and success. Our club will now work tirelessly to ensure we have a robust list of players to work with.

The announcement of other junior coaching appointments will be made in the next week or two.

Kristan Wood
JUNIOR PRESIDENT

Recruiting Announcement – Presented by BARK KING

https://www.barkking.com.au

Boronia Hawks are very happy to announce to all members and supporters that JACOB PATERSON will be back to Boronia in 2020.

After a season off after the Reserves Premiership in 2018, Patto will be back kicking goals for the Hawks to add to his tally of 180 senior goals. This is on top of his outstanding tally of 91 goals for the Under 19’s, including 70 in 2014.  
He also kicked 19 goals in one game against Silvan Reserves in 2016.

Please get around Patto and welcome him back to the Hawka!


https://www.barkking.com.au