Senior Men's & Women's Football and Netball, Junior Boys & Girls Football, Auskick and over 35's Veterans and Masters Football. Affiliated with EFNL. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land in Boronia.
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club Inc. is very pleased to announce the Board, Junior Committee and Senior Committee for 2021 as elected at our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 28 October 2020.
Board of Directors
Chairperson Scott Nicholas
Director of Administration Tanya Parkins
Director of Community & Inclusion Karen Little
Director of Finance David Nicholas
Director of Insights & Innovation Kathleen McMahon
Director of Revenue Wayne Preston
Director of Strategic Projects Ashley Johnston
Junior President Kristan Wood
Senior President Greg Hannon
Senior Committee
Senior President Greg Hannon
Senior Vice-President Wayne Preston
Senior Vice-President Nathan Allen
Senior Secretary Grant Bertram
Senior Treasurer Andrea Lemarquand
Netball Operations Manager Tessa Evans
Football Operations Manager (Women’s) Nathan Allen
The Award is sponsored by EACH – Eastern Access Community Health and the award function will be held in the New Year when the nominees can receive the recognition that they deserve in front of friends, relatives, and colleagues.
Boronia Hawks are absolutely committed to active participation of women and girls across the Club and are also pleased to have so many women contributing to the Club in a voluntary capacity on our Board and Committees. Our Gender Equity Plan is an important step as we move forward in this area and both Karen and Candyce have made significant contributions in promoting awareness throughout the Club.
Please join us all in congratulating all three finalists.
Boronia Hawks are thrilled to announce a number of support staff roles for the 2021 season.
Candyce Wright has played with our squad since 2018, and after undertaking junior coaching, being appointed Junior Female Football Coordinator and taking part in the AFL VIC She Can Coach Development program, she is going to continue her coach development in 2021 and will serve as an amazing role model for future female coaches at our club.
Lachlan Watson has played over 100 Senior games, 2018 Senior Premiership player, the clubs leading goal kocker over the past decade and Head of Heathmont Sports Academy. Will take a lead role with our forwards in 2021 and bring a wealth of experience to our program.
Angela Bernaldo comes from a Triathlon background qualifying for World Champs in 2019. Currently studying sports science and psychology with a passion for empowering women and girls in sport, Ange will develop a new Player Welfare program to provide injury prevention, positive psychology and individual support for players and coaches in 2021. An amazing, innovative step forward for our program and a first for community clubs in our region.
Jackson Lech is on board as a Specialist Forward coach to support Lach once a month to provide insight and for our forwards. An exciting forward who was part of the 2018 Under 19s premiership team, with a big future at the club.
Luke Hannon is on board as a Specialist Midfield Coach to support Ray with our mids once a month. 2018 premiership player and Best on Ground, Two time senior best and fairest winner, multiple appearances in EFNL Team of The Year, former Eastern Ranges Captain and BNF winner; Luke is studying teaching and keen to develop his coaching with our squad.
Corey Burgess is on board to support as a Specialist Backs coach supporting Scott with our backs once a month. 2018 premiership player with the Development side, and was recognised in the 2019 EFNL Team of the Year. Previous experience supporting our Under 17s and keen to develop his coaching with our squad.Please join Ray, Nathan and myself, in congratulating them all on joining the squad. Exciting times ahead for 2021.
Please join us for the 2020 AGM including the election of office bearers for 2020/21.
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic the 2020 BFNC Annual General Meeting will be held online for the first time in the Club’s history. Due to the nature of this change, the Club will be providing information in the lead-up to the AGM on how members can register to attend, and how the meeting will run.
In addition to the AGM, a Special General Meeting will also be held prior to the AGM to vote on minor changes to the Club’s Constitution to reflect the growth since our One Club implementation in 2017.
ELIGIBILITY
Only financial members are eligible to vote or to nominate for election. Eligible memberships include all senior players, all coaches, social members, Hawks Nest members and one parent / guardian of each registered junior player.
The Board and Committees welcome nominations for all Board and Committee roles. If you are interested in finding out additional information or nominating for a role it is recommended you speak with the appropriate contact prior to submitting a nomination.
Boronia Hawks are very excited to announce that one of the Club’s greats, Jess Bolton, has come out of retirement and has re-signed for 2021.
Jess is a true champion of the Club and two-time Bob Henry Medallist.
He was originally a Boronia Junior but left for East Burwood to play 74 games between 2005 and 2007 including 20 games in Division 1 Seniors. Bolts came back to Boronia in 2009 to make his senior debut for the Hawka. He also played 19 VFL games for Casey Scorpions / Demons between 2009 and 2012 before committing 100% to Boronia in 2013.
Jess is one of our most decorated players of any era in the Club’s history. His record includes:
Boronia U15’s B&F in 2003;
Bob Henry Medallist for Senior Best & Fairest in 2012 and 2014;
2013 and 2017 Senior Runners Up B&F;
Senior Captain in 2014;
2016 Seniors Best Team Player;
100th Game Medal in 2015;
EFL Division 3 Team of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017;
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club is pleased to announce the Senior Football Department roles for season 2021. We strongly believe our football department is the equal, if not better, than any in the league. The experience and knowledge of not just football, but of building solid relationships and having an awareness of player wellbeing is most evident in our 2021 BHFNC senior roles. We are still to fill our Netball Manager role but are hopeful that position will be filled before the end of this year. Other key roles in the football department will be announced in the very near future.
Our Club is proud to announce each person in our football department. They play a key role in ensuring the continued growth and success of our Club. They share and role model our Club values and their continued loyalty to our Club is much appreciated.
MATT CLARK: SENIOR MEN’S COACH
Matt is one of the most respected coaches in the EFNL. Matt has earned that respect by not just focussing on team success but on the welfare of each individual under his care. Matt’s compassion, his empathy, his drive and energy to push our list to be the best they can be makes our club most fortunate to have him steering our male football ship. We don’t take it for granted that Matt chooses to coach our club. Any club in the league would employ him tomorrow, but he enjoys being involved in our club and we are grateful to have him be a significant influence over our senior men’s playing list.
STEVE TEAKEL: SENIOR ASSISTANT COACH Steve’s experience, his level headedness and his football knowledge built over so many years of involvement at a local level makes him the perfect foil for Matt. The two men are close friends, they have coached together for many years now and complement each other. Teaks is an absolute asset to our club and we hope he has many more years of coaching involvement at the ‘Hawka.’
DREW O’HARE: SENIOR ASSISTANT COACH Drew has been a respected and admired senior assistant coach for many, many years. One of the most passionate and committed Boronia people I’ve ever met, having Drew involved in our seniors men’s program is like the sun coming up in the morning: it’s just supposed to happen!! Drew brings a wealth of football and club knowledge to the table and we are so grateful for his continued service to our club. LIfe Member and Club legend!
RAY LACEY and SCOTT NICHOLAS: SENIOR WOMEN’S COACHES Ray and Scott have worked together to grow our senior women’s program over the last three seasons. Ray, a club great and Scott, a current senior player and Club Chairman, share a strong passion for growing and enhancing the women’s football program at our Club. Both men have built strong relationships with our female playing list and are always searching for opportunities to improve our women’s program. Ray and Scott have built a strong coaching relationship over the past three years and can’t wait to build on their foundations in 2021.
CRAIG BROCKLEY: SENIOR DEVELOPMENT COACH
I was able to bring Brock to our club over a coffee in Ormond about 4 years ago. That proved to be one of our Club’s best coffees. Brock is now a HAWKA through and through! A Club sponsor, a dual premiership coach and a person that prides himself on building rock solid relationships with his players. He has the toughest gig at the club and he knows it! Craig treats his players with great love and respect and that absolutely goes both ways. I was fortunate to coach with him at Upwey and their loss has been our gain!
GREG GRANLAND: SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT COACH
As far as the coaching staff goes, Greg is the newbie on the block. A passionate and dedicated coach, Greg is not afraid to think outside the box and bring fresh and innovative ideas to the coaching staff. The proud father of Jordy, Greg works harmoniously with Brock and spends much time communicating with the players and trying to find 1%ers to improve our list.
SENIOR MEN’S FOOTBALL MANAGER: ASH JOHNSTON
Having Ash steering the recruiting and the management of our senior list and coaching staff has been an absolute blessing. Ash is a Boronia person, he is a relationship person and he aspires to make our Club create a backbone that will hold us in good stead for many years to come. Ash, a former senior player, a major sponsor of our Club, and now producing future father / son players, is the conduit between player / coaches and committee. He has been working his backside off resigning our player list for 2021 and I can’t wait to see our senior list in action next season. I have no doubt we can continue to compete and play deep into finals.
SENIOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL MANAGER: NATHAN ALLEN – new role for 2021
Nath, is a current senior men’s footballer, a former senior captain and one of the most respected people at our Club. Nathan, as Senior Vice President of our club will also now oversee the growth and development of our senior women’s program. Women’s football has been a major growth area of our Club and to have someone of the quality of Nathan overseeing this area of the Club will see women’s football continue to grow and ‘shine’ at our Club. Nathan’s wife, Bec, is also a current senior player so Nathan has an intimate knowledge of all challenges faced by our female playing list. Nathan will support our coaching staff and ensure our female players get every opportunity to improve their skills and enjoy playing the great game wearing a Boronia jumper.
Everyone around Victoria is currently in lockdown under Stage 4 restrictions. We all have a responsibility to do the right thing regarding the restrictions; we also have a responsibility to each other to stay safe, stay connected and stay positive.
We know a lot of our players, coaches, volunteers and families have already been impacted mentally and financially because of COVID-19, and many more will face hardship because of the new restrictions.
Let’s remember why this is in place, to ensure we all stay safe and healthy.
There has been a lot of discussion regarding mental health and wellbeing, and it’s a fantastic reminder for everyone with the Boronia community to prioritise their mental health.
Please look after yourselves, check in on each other, and be sure to connect with all of the great mental health services if you’re struggling to cope. You can check some out on the Wellbeing Hub on the Boronia Hawks website.
While many of us will face difficulties over the coming six weeks, there are some who may be is a less fortunate position and may struggle for basic necessities or a roof over their heads. If anyone from within the club is concerned about another club member please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.
We are in this together, and we will get through this together.
GO HAWKA.
Scott Nicholas, Chairman, BORONIA HAWKS FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB INC.
Daniel Cencic from Knox Leader talks to Boronia’s Senior President, Greg Hannon.
Boronia President Greg Hannon has backed his club to rebound “quickly” from the coronavirus as it continues to navigate its way through the season shut down.
The Hawks have been one of the top performing teams in their division across the past two seasons, winning a premiership in the league’s third tier in 2018 before a minor premiership last year.
Hannon declared premiership coach Matt Clark would “absolutely” be steering the Hawks next season, as the club remains strong on and off the field through the crisis.
“We’re financially very strong,” Hannon said. “we’ve got a great coaching group – I think we’ve got one of the best in the league and we’ve got an incredibly good list of young players.
“Putting this three factors together, we’re very stable – we’ve got good off-field leadership – we’re one club now – junior, senior, netball, women’s. We’re very solid both on and off the field, so when we get the chance to rebound, we’ll rebound quickly.”
Attention has now turned to retaining players with player payments set to be slashed statewide from 2021. The slated figure for the Division 2 salary cap is $60,000. (NB: not confirmed).
“We’ve got a really loyal group of young players and I’m sure they will take a bit of a cut, but we don’t foresee anyone moving because they know we’ve had a couple of years of winning a lot more games than losing,” Hannon said.
“Our time to shine is in the next two or three years – everyone’s getting 50, 60, 70, 80 games under their belt now and all those kids are close to 100 game players now, we should be pushing had for premierships in the next three or four years.”
Hannon, who played for the Hawks in the 1986 flag and coached the club from 2003 to 2005, said Boronia’s “unique” culture held it in good stead for keeping its list intact.
“The club’s got an incredible culture – it has for many, many, years,” he said. “Often people from other clubs say ‘What is it about Boronia?’, because we have a huge past-player commitment and they’re heavily involved in the club.
“I’ve coached a few clubs – I’ve coached Upwey, Knox and I’ve coached Boronia, and nothing’s like the commitment of our past players, it’s quite unique.
“It’s a working class club, everyone’s included and it works well.”
Boronia Veterans
The EFNL became one of the first major suburban competitions to call it quits on season 2020 in early June.
Hannon praised the league for its handling of the season shutdown and hopes pre-season can begin as normal later in the year.
“Fingers crossed it (pre-season) starts late November, December when we normally start,” he said.
“I think the league made the right call when they went early – it gave us a bit of clarity of what we can plan for and I think the league have done a pretty good job, it’s a tough gig.”
The Eastern Football Netball League has advised clubs that all club sanctioned training must be cancelled immediately, and indefinitely, due to the renewed lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne.
Although the Club is understandably disappointed, the Board and committees fully endorse the league’s decision. We are very disappointed for our many junior players who were only weeks away from a resumption in play. However, the health and safety of Club members is always our first priority.
Further advice will be communicated as it becomes available.
On behalf of the Board, David Nicholas Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club Inc.
