Hello to all players, members, volunteers and supporters of the Fitzroy Football Club and welcome to the fast-approaching 2022 season.
Last Sunday at the club’s Annual General Meeting, I was very pleased and extremely proud to accept the nomination for the position of President of the Fitzroy Football Club.
In saying that, it’s very important for all of us at the club to thank and acknowledge the enormous and sustained power of work done by our retiring President, Joan Eddy. In very simple terms, the modern Fitzroy Football Club is as magnificent as it is because of Joan. Reflecting on her 12 years as president gives me, and all of us, an outstanding example of what a real leader is.
We also farewelled another of our much-loved Board members in Kate Nolan who, over the last seven years, has been the most energetic and incredibly innovative force behind the Fitzroy Football Club. These are very big shoes to fill but, we are very lucky to have such a dedicated Board of Directors who will continue to work hard and serve our wonderful football club.
Outside of my beautiful family, I love the Fitzroy Football Club more than anything in this world. The history of our club dates back to 1883 and over the years, we have had many great moments and also many challenges. I understand the great responsibility associated with the role of being the club’s President to honour our history, and ensure we have a bright future. I will work as hard as I can to continue to make our club a great place to be.
As I mentioned to the big crowd at the AGM last Sunday, the club’s greatest assets in equal parts are our players, our members, our supporters and volunteers. Our people are vital in keeping the place ticking and we’re blessed to have a large and diverse group of members who make up our great community. Whether like me, you’re from the old Fitzroy VFL/AFL days, were part of the mighty Reds, have come up through the Junior Club or simply found your way to Brunswick Street Oval and never wanted to leave—we all love the Fitzroy Football Club.
Whether it was Kevin Murray, Billy Stephen or Bernie Quinlan that drew you to this club, or that stirring 2016 Fitzroy-ACU Women’s team Grand Final that reeled you in, the place is full of history-making moments, and wonderful people.
In 2022, we’ll continue to build on that history and make some more of our own. Our senior Men’s team was on a huge upward swing last year when they hit sixth spot on the ladder after that amazing after-the-siren goal against St. Bede’s at Brunswick Street Oval and the away victory a few weeks later against Ajax just before COVID-19 drew an end to the season. The Men’s Reserves were sitting in the top four at the same time.
Our two Thirds teams both had great seasons. The Thirds Gold claimed the Premiership and our Div 1 Thirds team made the top four for the fourth successive season. Our Under 19s were outstanding to watch and now has a number of players moving up this year into the senior ranks.
One of the best games I watched in 2021 was the Fitzroy-ACU Women’s semi-final at Beaumaris. Against a very highly rated opposition, the Roygirls were gutsy, determined and magnificent all night and went down by a solitary goal. We were all so proud of them.
With all that in mind, 2022 now emerges as an extremely exciting year for all our teams who are just itching to get back out to play some games of football. Our wonderful coaches have done a power of planning and hard work to prepare them well.
We now want everyone—players, coaches, members and supporters—to continue to enjoy the Fitzroy Football Club, the historical Brunswick Street Oval and most of all each other’s company as we look forward to some big moments in 2022 and being back at the footy as a community.
We are the boys and girls from old Fitzroy, forever.
David Leydon
President
Fitzroy Football Club incorporating the Fitzroy Reds
