It is a great honour to present my first Annual Everyone across these organisations have a clear Report as president following on from David Begg understanding of their WHY and their values are who was at the helm for five very successful years. demonstrated from the field of play to the David has a real passion for the Shute Shield and in boardroom. If we can get our alignment right his new role as president of the Sydney Rugby across the board then we are well on the way to Union we are very fortunate to be in such capable achieving our strategic goals. hands during a most exciting period for the One of the obvious highlights for 2017 was the competition. resurgence of our 1st Grade side as a genuine force As a whole, season 2017 was a very successful year in the Shute Shield. In the closest competition in for the Marlins. I am excited by a number of things years our 1st Grade side won the Minor both on and off the pitch that will hopefully set the Premiership by two clear games. We were treated club up for some strong years ahead. to some exceptional performances, our early wins at home v University and Norths, winning away at With the new season came some new faces and I Eastwood for the first time in five years and have thoroughly enjoyed working with General perhaps the highlights of the season were beating Manager Gonzalo Mariani and Head Coach Brian Norths on their home patch and a sensational Melrose. Along with a number of new directors on victory up at Warringah in the 2nd Derby. the board we made a conscious decision to work as Unfortunately, our success in the regular season a team and to share in the clubs goals and values did not carry on into the Finals Series and of course with the playing group. This organisational this was very disappointing. For one reason or transparency and alignment is something that I’m another, Manly has built an unfortunate really eager to evolve and continue to build. You reputation of not firing when it matters for a only have to look around the world of sports to see number of seasons now and I really hope we can the most successful teams are successful use these disappointments as part of the organisations, whether it’s the All Blacks, New motivation required to capture that elusive title. England Patriots or the Melbourne Storm.
It's now 20 years since we've held the Shute Shield aloft so we are certainly well overdue! In saying that, to only define success as winning the Shute Shield is a pretty high watermark and of course I want to congratulate Coach Brian Melrose and his team for their very strong season. Not many gave them much hope at the start of the year so they have certainly gained back some of that respect that was maybe lost after 2016. Brian has instilled a level of professionalism and a playing philosophy the club will continue to adopt and invest in moving forward. Our Colts had another pretty tough year across the board but they did show improvement and that Our lower grades also performed particularly well was pleasing. 1st Grade were unlucky not to snare in 2017, with 2s and 3s running deep into the finals. a finals berth and some of their performances later 3rd Grade made it all the way through to the Grand in the year were promising and hopefully an Final v Warringah but unfortunately they were indication of brighter things to come. Some colts unable to back up their terrific performance in the players had a role in the Grade finals and we are semi-final against Eastwood. The Rats were simply again excited by the potential of these boys and it’s too hot to handle in the decider and it set up a a testament to the work of Dave Mills and Rob wonderful day for Warringah as they lifted the Gallacher over the past few seasons. The Lower Shute Shield later in the afternoon. Not even the Grade Colts were low on numbers in contrast to most ardent of Manly fan could be too healthier times but the incredible job of the Colts disheartened by the incredible post-match scenes management spearheaded by Chairman Janice of our old foes revelling in the glory and emotion Faaolatane ensured we were able to get all 3 teams of victory and the spirit of Lachlan Ward. Quite a on the pitch apart from one occasion. The Colts are remarkable sporting story. a continued area of focus for the club and it’s no secret that it has become a challenging space given One of the most pleasing aspects of the Grade the tertiary based offerings to our local players performances in 2017 was the progression of a from other clubs and the changing demographic of number of Colts into Grade Rugby and certainly we the Manly population. MRFC director Sean are very excited by the level of talent and future Richardson is continuing to foster relations in the potential of many of these boys. I am confident Northern Beaches Rugby community and we are with a big off season many of these players are well down the track in identifying a number of local capable of playing in the top grades as soon as next kids ready to link up with the Marlins Colts program season.
in the coming years as well as developing relations It is certainly a very hard working committee and with some rural schools and clubs. each director has been held to their own portfolio containing individual KPI's with a key focus to I'd like to thank all of our coaches and managers for improve a number of facets across the clubs. One their wonderful efforts in season 2017 as well as of the key areas of improvement was the Match our Club Captain Mitch Daniel who led by example Day experience and this significant uplift shone on many fronts on and off the field. The formation through in the financial results which you will see and successful implementation of a leadership in the Treasurer's report. It was back breaking stuff group can be attributed to Mitch’s leadership not though and hats off must go to the committee and to mention driving a fantastic social media the volunteers for this incredible effort, none more campaign and the return of the great Marlin TV! I so than director Adam Hill who was a worthy know a tour is also in the pipeline for 2018 so watch recipient of the Clubman of the Year award! this space! If there is one thing we love just as much as our A mention too must go to our Women’s team the Rugby its Manly and our connection with our Manly Mermaids. The girls have gone from community. I know the players have an immense strength to strength this year and Coach Alex Helu sense of pride to represent the township and the & Manager Katja Imholz have done a stellar job people that make it so great. I think our relations with the program. We have already seen some of with the Junior Clubs are as strong as it has been our Marlins players star in the AON Women’s 7s for a number of years and I am looking forward to Series and one of our girls is already on the radar maintaining these important ties. We are so of the national coaches. The influx of keen appreciative of the support we had at Manly Oval Women’s players has provided our organisation this year, we are consistently the best supported with a renewed sense of diversity and we want to club in the Shute Shield and to be able to bring it ensure they feel an even bigger part of the team at all together at a setting like Manly Oval strengthens the Marlins moving forward. not only the Rugby community but the Manly We were again incredibly well supported by a community. While the Sea Eagles will always cast a broad sponsorship base in 2017. I have always big sporting shadow over the Northern Beaches been aware of the long standing support of our there is always a special place in and around the major sponsor Mounties Group, but since taking Corso for the Marlins, it’s important we continue over the reins I now know first-hand how crucial to build on this momentum. their support has been to our success since 2011. In closing, we would not have been able to achieve We were delighted to announce a new 3 year term everything on and off field this year without hard- with Mounties Group at the commencement of working coaching staff, a wonderful group of this season and we look forward to working with young men in the playing ranks, the support of our them into the future. I’d also like to thank Platinum volunteer base, a dedicated staff and a strong Sponsor People + Culture Strategies, and Gold committee. Sponsors in Emirates, Mark Moran Group, Premier State & Alliance Leasing. All of our club sponsors are so important to the program we are able to provide for our players. We do not underestimate your value at any point. There are too many sponsors to name individually, but please accept my thanks on behalf of the club.
2017 saw the introduction of no less than six new committee members to the Board of the MRFC who have all added value in their own unique way.
While Rugby has fallen off its perch as a top tier I was under no illusion that the position would code in Australia, I truly believe the heart of the provide me with its fair share of challenges and it game is pumping through the turnstiles across the certainly did but thankfully I found strong support Shute Shield particularly at Manly Oval. in all corners of the club. Thank you to everyone who has been involved at MRFC and in making my I have thoroughly enjoyed the role in my first year first year in the job such a rewarding experience. and I’ve certainly shared in the highs and lows of the Rugby season. MANLY BOOM BOOM!
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