“We’ll Rebound Quickly”.

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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.”

A Message from Flash

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As we do our best to endure this rather ‘crap year’ for our club and society as a whole, it can also be a time to acknowledge and show gratitude to those at our club whose behaviours give us strength or even inspiration. So, in no particular order, I’d like to recognize a few club people that inspire me, and hopefully you.

Bomma
Bomma AKA ( Robert Kimmit ) has been through an absolute rollercoaster of emotions as he supports his great mate, Collo, through his health battles. Bomma is there to support Amanda, he is there to update the ‘Hawka Community’ and he is literally sitting beside Collo as he does his best to fight for his life during this horrendous time. This is true mateship, this is true love for a friend and Bomma’s behaviours have made me feel really proud to be a part of our club. People like Bomma and Panda demonstrate the values of our club every day. A club that is built on friendship, inclusion and loyalty.

Amanda Collins
What can I say. She has been resolute, determined and positive as her husband has fought and fought and fought. Her love for Dean and her family has known no bounds. She stays positive and regularly communicates with us all as we share his journey. A true hero!

Collo
This bloke has been through hell now for over 14 weeks. He stays positive and hopeful that he can beat this. His emotions have been tested too many times. But he fights and he fights and he fights. An inspiration to us all!

Snicko and Dave
The father son duo continue to make our club ‘cohesive’ during these terrible times. The facebook posts, the ‘Hawka Talks’ and the regular club updates keep us informed and together. The time these two men give to our club is extraordinary. We are most fortunate to have you both at our club!!!

Robbo, Ruthers, Shoey and Brett Smith
Our boys in blue. These must be the most challenging times for our members in blue. You probably don’t get the thanks you deserve but we are proud of you guys!! Stay safe!!

Wayne and Sammy
Even from Wayne’s hospital bed he is still planning and working on how we can make our club stronger off the field. Sammy is like a duracell battery, she just keeps going and giving. We are most fortunate to have these dynamic, loyal and dedicated volunteers at our club.

Ash and our Coaches
Throughout this crisis, our coaches, with Ash, have worked to maintain our player unity. As a club, we are just so fortunate to have the quality of coaches we have at our club. Their dedication, their care for player wellbeing and their loyalty to our club has not gone unnoticed.

Stick
This blokes capacity to keep the ‘vets’ together has been terrific to see. He has played cards with more or less the same blokes for close to 40 years. He invites his vets team to his home ( when allowed ) every Thursday, he organises the ‘footy trip’ esky and he inevitably gets the cards going at some stage. He brings unity, he brings enjoyment and he brings ‘groundhog day’ to our club. This is so important and this is what sets us apart from other clubs.

Hollywood
I’ve been mates with this bloke for a long time. Being in the travel business is possibly the worst business to be involved in during a COVID lockdown. Does Hollywood sulk, or sook? No, he stays upbeat, he stays positive and he remains the same person we all love. We all look forward to using Greg and GK Travel when we are allowed to travel again.

Finally, just like society, our club will rebound from this crisis quickly. We are fortunate to be in a strong position in all departments and as soon as we are given the green light to start up operations we will muster the troops and get going again. Stay well, wear your mask and ‘Go Hawka!’

GREG HANNON, SENIOR PRESIDENT, BORONIA HAWKS

COVID-19 UPDATE: Cancellation of 2020 Football and Netball

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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.

Thank You to BARK KING!

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https://www.barkking.com.au

Boronia Hawks are very fortunate to have the loyal support of Bark King during these very difficult times. Bark King has been a GOLD SPONSOR for many years and we really appreciate their generous support when the whole community is doing it tough. A huge thank you to Stuart Johnston and Ash Johnston.


Click here for the Bark King Website.

Stuart Johnston from Bark King with Ash Johnston

If you are in need of garden mulch, Bark King offers a wide range of Coloured Mulches, Composted Mulches, Pine Barks, Recycled Timber Mulches and Wood Mulches.

COVID-19 Announcement

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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.

New Partnership with Bendigo Bank – Community Branch Wantirna.

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Boronia Hawks are very excited to announce that we have entered in to a new partnership agreement with our banker of many years, Community Bank Wantirna, part of the Bendigo Bank group.

For those new to the Community Bank model, it is a concept unique from the other big banks. The majority of profits derived from customers that bank at our branch are invested back into the community in a range of ways. This means that our customers are investing back into their own community, into local schools, not for profit organisations, clubs, societies, youth development programs, community centres and the like.

The Club’s finance team have always been impressed by the very friendly and helpful team at Wantirna Mall and have appreciated their assistance as we upgraded our banking processes in recent years.

We are now taking this great relationship a step further as we proudly announce that Community Bank Wantirna will be the jumper sponsor for our two senior women’s football teams from 2020 to 2022.

Boronia Hawks Senior Women’s Team: Finalists in 2019.

“As Australia’s fifth largest retail bank, we provide our 1.7 million customers with competitive products, innovative service, and the ability to bank with confidence wherever they are in the world. We give back to communities, and hold true to our values. We’re Bendigo Bank. The better big bank.”

All members of the Boronia Hawks community are strongly encouraged to check out the full range of banking services offered by Bendigo Bank by visiting their website. Alternately, contact the branch for a discussion on personal and business banking with branch manager, John Tiganis.

Vale Charlie Kiff

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The Boronia footy community is saddened to learn that Charlie Kiff passed away over the weekend.

Charlie was involved with the junior club through the 70’s and was a passionate Hawks supporter during the 80’s. He used to help sell beer out of a wheelbarrow out the front of the club rooms.

Although Charlie didn’t pull on the Hawker jumper himself, he was very good footballer in his own right, playing over 300 games for his local club & also winning the under 19s B&F for Collingwood FC in 1952.

He loved the Hawka and he is remembered fondly as a good man and a great story teller.

Many thanks to Tim Burgess for his memories of Charlie and to Greg Mackley for sharing this photograph of Charlie and other junior dads at the old Boronia ground.

TOM BOYD for MEN’S HEALTH WEEK

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A FREE ON-LINE SESSION with TOM BOYD for MEN’S HEALTH WEEK: Wednesday 17 June from 7:30pm

Join a free online presentation with former AFL footballer Tom Boyd who will share his story of going from #1 draft pick to retirement within five years.

Boronia Hawks recommends this free on-line session to all. Given the challenging environment that we are living in today, here is a great opportunity for our members, volunteers and players to get an insight from someone who had to deal with such a high level of expectation and how he worked his way through the highs and lows.

New Grant from Victorian Government

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Thanks once again to Jackson Taylor MP for his great support of our Club through the COVID-19 support package for community sport and recreation bodies.

It is a tough time for all community clubs, and our footy and netball players and supporters are naturally disappointed, but understanding of the cancellation of our senior seasons. It is good to know that you and Dan Andrews are looking out for the grassroots sporting clubs that are so important to suburban and country Victoria.


Thank you also to our Special K Team, Karen Little and Kerryn Westcott who are doing a brilliant job in seeking grants for the Club to support our programs. We are very grateful to these two ladies who put in the time and effort to work through complicated grants applications for the benefit of all club members.