PRESIDENTS SEASON WRAP
Well, another season has finished, seemingly just a few weeks after it started. And planning for next season is so well underway that it too is almost finished!
2024 was a year of hope. Of finally clearing the decks and preparing for a very positive future. So many elements are aligning that I believe it is safe to say that we are at the dawn of a new era for the club. More on that shortly….
But firstly, a special thanks to Joe Barakat our retiring Head Coach for 2024. Joe and his wife Di are off on a long-planned and well-deserved overseas trip, meaning they could not make the annual Presentation Night, but suffice to say that Joe’s contribution to the club this season cannot be underestimated.
When we look back from the vantage point of years of sustained success, 2024 will be regarded as the turning point. Joe came to the role very late in the piece after agreeing to come out of retirement to help the club out. He was originally planning to offer some occasional assistance with the forwards, which morphed into the Head Coach role out of necessity.
Thank you Joe for getting us headed back in the right direction.
Secondly, thanks to all of the club’s sponsors. Nothing happens without these wonderful people, and we are ever grateful.
Our sponsorship crew is headed by one of the club’s greatest supporters, Aaran Duncan and his wife Taryn at Kryfix. Thanks for all that you do – which is far beyond the substantial financial support you provide.
Thirdly, to all the volunteers that give so much of themselves to the club. There are too many to name personally, but we are in your debt. Thank you.
The last few seasons have been tough - on & off the field. This has been underpinned with division, and punctuated with poor results.
That time is over.
Here is a snapshot at what we’ve achieved this season:
Women’s rugby
we fielded our first ever Sydney Premier Women’s Rugby XVs and Xs teams
we had over 45 women’s players register for these sides
under the guidance of Junior Ta’ale both sides threatened a semi finals finish in Year 1
Colts
after 3 years of building under George Gargoulakis finals success has begun
1st Colts missed the semi-finals by the narrowest of margins in the final round
3rd Colts finished just one match shy of the Grand Final!
The Colts showed the way for the club with a tremendous traditional Rebels culture
Volunteers
One of our longest serving volunteers Pam Harris was announced as a finalist at the SRU’s Annual Catchpole medal dinner as the Charter Hall Volunteer of the Year
Governance
welcomed two new board members in Andy Marinos and Marcus Carbone
commenced the process of developing the club’s next 5 Year Strategic Plan
signed a new long-term lease on Forshaw Rugby Park
secured new tenant sub-leases to shore up future income streams
And look at what’s to come
several high calibre club people will be joining the board at the next AGM
we have developed plans to reinvigorate the Favourite Sons Foundation
we have secured a partnership which will see some significant site upgrades (to be announced soon)
our new General Manager is also soon to be announced
we have secured a muti-season agreement with Scott Fava as Head Coach
we have secured a multi-season agreement with George Gargoulakis who is looking to bring the recent Colts success to Grade
secured Favourite Son Jake Holman as Head Coach of Colts
re-signed Junior Ta’ale as head Coach of the Women’s program for 2025
Together WE are restoring all this great club stands for.
All of these achievements, and more, were celebrated at the club’s recent presentation night. You can see a full list of award winners here.
The major club award winners are:
Club Person of the Year – Sam Lindsay
Ironically Sam is the club’s unofficial historian – he’s usually the guy who tells us who’s done what when the candidates for such an award are assessed. Sam has played for the club for 13 seasons, and until this year has played in every grade from 2rd Colts to 2nd Grade. Then against Gordon in Round 8 an unexpected Yellow Card saw Sam take the field for his first grade debut – and the completion of the rare (Sam can advise if unprecedented) milestone of playing in every grade for Souths. There is not a better clubperson than Sam Lindsay – congratulations Sam.
President’s Award – Trevor Walker
No-one has done more for the club in recent years – and that’s saying something – than Trevor. He has been the key to the last few years of building our Colts success, offering great mentorship to George as the leader of the program…. And far more as a key driver of the culture of our club. Thank you Trev.
I truly believe we are on the brink of a new era
2024 is the turning point - a line has been drawn in the sand
The past is behind us…. our great future lays ahead
Brad Devine
SDRC President
