Congratulations and thank you to the members of the Club who were elected to the Board of Directors at the AGM. We welcome club legend and Life Member David Murrihy to the Club’s board.
New Board of Directors for 2024
Tag Archives: Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club
DEFINING OUR BRAND | PROJECT COMPLETE
With the launch of our new hoodies this now completes an extensive project that we embarked on way back in August 2022 with our Brand Review survey. Information gained from this survey enabled us to take a closer look at our logo, colours and existing merch range.
A small team was formed soon after the survey and we went about establishing guidelines for our brand and conducting a complete review of potential suppliers of our merch. One supplier in particular stood out as they were professional and innovative from the outset and offered a service model that met our brief – they were ‘Your Clubroom’.
We officially engaged Your Clubroom in November last year to go about documenting our brand and to create options for us to consider for our new merch range. This included a review of colours, materials, and size fitment options – unisex and women. As a result, we have slowly rolled out a new range of beanies, scarfs, training shorts and singlets, polos, and last week, our new hoodies.
Today we are pleased to showcase our official documentation of this process – Boronia Hawks – Defining the Brand 2023. This has been a long journey, but I’d like to thank YOU, our passionate members for your feedback along the way. A special thanks to Jayden & Damon from Your Clubroom who supported our vision and guided us along the way. Lastly to Karen Butler and Maria Gagic who have been there from day one and will now manage selling our new range. Thank you for your patience and we hope you enjoy wearing our new merch!
View the Defining the Brand presentation here:
Wayne Preston, Director of Revenue, BHFNC
Chair Person’s Annual Report
Another year filled with challenges, but the big difference was… we got to get out there and play some football and netball and watch our Hawks in action!
For some this provided an outlet and distraction, and some purpose where other areas of our lives were filled with challenges. For others this caused frustration, given the fact the year was still impacted and ultimately cut short, it tested our resilience and caused us to rethink how and why we do things. However, amongst all of these challenges, our club community again upheld it’s commitment to each other and the club by going above and beyond. In moments where we could come together and function as close to ‘normal’ as was possible, and in moments where we couldn’t, we remained supportive and positive and workedtirelessly to ensure the club continued to move forward… which we did.
Thank you to everyone across the club for their contributions on and off-field. Our Board and Committee Members, our volunteers, our coaches, trainers and game day support, our friends, family and former players, and our current players across all areas of the club. I’m continually inspired and proud of the selfless culture that is central to the way our club functions. Led over many years by the likes of Bob Henry, Ellen Johnson, Mick and Kay Kimmitt to name a few, and now continued by many more across the club. It’s part of our identity, and I’m pleased that that culture is only going from strength to strength.
There were a number of highlights across the season, which are contributing to the long-term opportunities ahead, and the completion of a number of items identified in our Strategic Plan 2020-22 with many more in progress;
- In another disrupted season, we’ve still progressed a significant amount of these initiatives with 21/27 either COMPLETED (7) or IN PROGRESS (14). There are only six that are NOT COMPLETED (not started).
- Our Gender Equity Plan was developed, launched and implementation has began already seeing a number of wins in a short amount of time. This project, led by Karen Little will have a huge impact on the rapid growth in our participation of women and girls in a number of areas.
- We secured further support for our Netball program with new sponsors, new uniforms and new teams under the guidance of Tessa Evans, with four teams in 2021 with a greater connection to the club than ever before.
- We saw a successful introduction of a cash-less system across the club including bar, canteen, merchandise operations, a mammoth task led by Kat McMahon that will set us up for greater revenue raising opportunities in the future.
- The retention of sponsors and expansion of our Community Partners program led by Wayne Preston and Samantha Dunkinson has continued to provide important connections to the wider community and important financial support.
- Important conversations have continued with local and state government representatives around the development of our facilities at Tormore Reserve. This advocacy has outlined that the club’s rapid growth means that the facilities we use are no longer fit for our club’s needs. Thank you to Wayne Preston, Greg Hannon and others for their extraordinary work in this space.
We’re so fortunate to have such motivated, skilled and knowledgeable people on our Board who are passionate about the club and it’s future.
To Woody and Flash, we’re so fortunate to have your strength leading our junior and senior sections of the club you do an incredible job driving us forward, leaving no stone unturned to improve the way we do things.
To Wayne and Kat your contributions to the Board in your first year were phenomenal, you’ve added such great skills and insights to the club and I can’t wait to continue working with you.
To Tanya and Dave, you’ve contributed so much in your time on the board and this year has been no different, and we head into your final year on the Board I look forward to working with you both to successful transition out of your roles and support new people transition in, over the next 12 months.
Finally, to Karen Little and Ash Johnston, who will be departing the Board after three years as Director of Community & Inclusion and one year as Director of Strategic Projects. Fundamentally the work you’ve done behind the scenes is changing the way the club is viewed internally and externally, and you’ve championed initiatives that are leading the way in not only our club, but the broader EFNL and community sport landscape. I’ve learnt so much from you both in your time on the Board and look forward to continuing to seek your guidance in the future. Our club has changed so much even over the past four years since becoming One Club, and you’ve both played a critical role in supporting this process of change. Thank you for everything and I’m so pleased, and we are so fortunate, you’ll still be active members of the Boronia community going forward.
If 2021 was our transition out of COVID, I’m so excited for what 2022 will hold for us all. We are a part of something very special at Boronia, and I definitely do not take that for granted. We are custodians of club and are working hard to celebrate our great history, drive the standards to make sure we are successful in our day-to-day operations, and think strategically and innovatively so we can prepare to leave our club in a better place for the next generation to don the brown and gold. GO HAWKA.
Scott Nicholas
Chair Person, Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club Inc.
New Grant for Women’s Football
The Club’s Grants Program has had another successful application. We have just been granted funding of $2,960 for a program to support Leadership for Young Women in Football.
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions offered this grant opportunity under the 2019/20 Community Activation Grants Program. We are very grateful for the government’s continued encouragement of community sport, particularly by backing clubs with the booming popularity of football for women and girls. Special thanks go to Claire Dyson from the Office for Women in Sport & Recreation and to Jackson Taylor MP.
As we grow our Women’s Football Program we have identified a number of young players who will benefit enormously from this opportunity to develop their leadership skills through this structured learning aimed specifically at their age group.
Although the leadership development program has been delayed for this season due to the COVID-19 lockdown, funding has been provided so that we can proceed with the training in 2021.
Once again the Club can thank Kerryn Westcott, our Grants Co-ordinator, and Karen Little, Director of Community and Inclusion, for their work in submitting a successful application for the grant. The Club’s Grants Program continues to provide an outstanding benefit in the enhancement of our facilities and membership support programs. Recent grants include:
- Millers Scoreboard;
- Tormore Scoreboard;
- Uniforms for U17’s team;
- Tormore Lights;
- Millers Kitchen Upgrade;
- Female Coaching and Development;
- Mental Health Support for senior players;
- COVID survival package;
- Leadership for Young Women in Football.
A Message from Flash
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
Thank You to BARK KING!
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.
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.
New Partnership with Bendigo Bank – Community Branch Wantirna.
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.
“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.
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:
- 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.
- Building our momentum off-field – we will continue our work off the field to strengthen our strategic and operational efforts.
- 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.
Chairman’s Update on Covid-19
The Club’s Board of Directors has been meeting regularly via Zoom in the last few months to manage the impact of Covid-19 on the Club’s operations. Following the recent announcements from the the Victorian Government, AFL Victoria and EFNL, we had an expanded Board meeting last night with representatives from our senior and junior football, netball, veterans and Auskick sections. Thanks to Ash Johnston, Candyce Wright, Kat McMahon, Sam Dunkinson and Wayne Preston for their important contributions to our preparations.
Although the Club is subject to the release of guidelines and protocols from the governing bodies, we are able to start planning for the eventual resumption of managed training sessions in groups of ten (plus a coach or manager). We are developing our own set of training guidelines so all players and coaches will fully understand their ongoing obligations to personal hygiene and social distancing. We will be ready when the time comes.
The most pleasing aspect of the meeting was to hear of the enthusiastic engagement by our senior playing groups over the last two months. Our senior mens and women’s footballers are training in isolation, but are absolutely exceeding expectations as they build their fitness. Our players and coaches are to be congratulated for their team spirit, support for each other, and dedication to the game and the Club.
We will be in touch regularly, so please keep your eye out for updates on our website and Facebook pages and groups. “Hawka Talk” will continue every Wednesday night at 7:00pm on Facebook for the foreseeable future. Please tune in!
Please take care of yourselves, family and friends. Do the right thing and we will all be able to come together again as a Club.
GO HAWKA!!!
Scott Nicholas, Chairman, Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club Inc.
Legends Game Leak: Rocket is about to Blast Off!
HAWKA NEWS FLASH! – A well sourced leak from the brains trust of the HAWKA LEGENDS GAME has revealed the first BIG NAME to sign up! Surely Rocket will take the field!
