What a great achievement by all involved with this years senior group to come away from East Burwood as Division 3 Premiers and Champions. Led by senior Coach Chad Rogers and Captain Tim Riseley this team now ranks as one of the greatest ever Upper Gully sides alongside Neville Roberts 1974 Premiers and Champions team. While we acknowledge the senior side we must acknowledge the efforts of the reserves and U19’s sides who also played off in the Grand Final only to be beaten by better opposition on the day, congratulations to Bruce Beaton and Garry Nash alongside everyone involved in both these sides for a great season. Presentation Night is on this Saturday the 17th September at the Clubrooms, tickets are $65 which includes 3 course meal with drinks at Bar prices, limited tickets so get in fast for what will be a huge night with the last opportunity to purchase tickets this Thursday night at the club from 5:30pm. Good luck to all Upper Gully players invited to the EFL Presentation Night this Wednesday; hopefully we can come away with success for the year. Congratulations to Tate Hickleton and Ryan Murray who both notched up their 50th goals for the season in the senior Grand Final. Tim Smith will line up for Casey Scorpions in the VFL Preliminary Final at North Port Oval against Williamstown on Sunday at 2:40pm while Josh Begley has been named in the U18 All Stars squad who will play at Punt Road the day before the AFL Grand Final. Juniors Presentation Day is on the 18th September at Kings Park from 1:30pm; all welcome to see Upper Gully’s future stars be presented with their trophies for this season. U17’s are looking for a top age coach for next season; if anyone is interested please contact the juniors. Please find attached the Juniors latest newsletter for more info on the happenings from Dobson Park. Don’t forget that Club Memberships are always available; be a member not just a supporter. Don’t forget to support our sponsors and especially our major sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota; contact club vice-president Dean Wilson on 0412 312 672 to help get you a great deal on your next Toyota purchase. Get down to the Royal Hotel between 5:30pm and 6:00pm on Thursday’s for the Meat Tray Raffle; special thanks to James Hume (Upper Gully Life Member) for running this raffle, with help from another Life member in Neil Roberts as well as Boococks Meats and the Royal for their support. Remember also that the Royal Hotel has a new Club Rewards System; so please sign up and get your card to be rewarded with a discount for yourself and help the club financially. The club has many social media avenues to keep in touch with as well as the website;http://www.uftgfc.sportingpulse.net for all the latest news and photos from around the club. Thank you to all our sponsors for 2016 and especially our Major Sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota and our Gold level sponsors LPS Waste Services, FTG Motor Group, Frawley Signs, Action Events and Mystique Printing. Anyone wanting to contribute to this newsletter please email uppergullynews@hotmail.com
Premiers and Champions in 2016 Upper.....Go the Red and Blue!
Results – Grand Finals at East Burwood
Seniors Grand Final at East Burwood (Premiers and Champions)
Upper Ferntree Gully 2.0-12 6.1-37 10.4-64 13.8-86
Templestowe 1.2-8 2.4-16 5.7-37 6.10-46
Goal Kickers: T. Hickleton 6, B. Carroll 2, J. Whiteman 2, D. Grice , B. Ward, R. Murray
Best Players: J. Whiteman, T. Hickleton, A. Godfrey, R. Silver, D. Grice , J. Laughlin
Reserves Grand Final at East Burwood
Templestowe 1.0-6 6.0-36 8.0-48 11.2-68
Upper Ferntree Gully 1.3-9 3.4-22 4.4-28 5.5-35
Goal Kickers: L. Strachan 3, T. Willis 2
Best Players: L. Wakefield, J. Nelson, L. Leslie, J. Ward, J. Cutts, M. Fenelon
Under 19’s Grand Final at East Burwood
Park Orchards 2.4-16 4.7-31 9.9-63 13.11-89
Upper Ferntree Gully 2.0-12 2.4-16 3.4-22 5.10-40
Goal Kickers: T. Strange, A. Catalano, M. Graham, L. Meagher, P. Bullock
Best Players: A. Mylanos, M. Graham, J. Saltum, J. Millen, J. Eyres, F. Dodds
Milestones
Well done to Tate Hickleton and Ryan Murray who both kicked their 50th goal for the season last week in the seniors Grand Final.
Tate has now kicked over 278 goals from 183 games since making his debut with the seniors in 2004 while Ryan has 101 goals from 38 games over the last 2 seasons in the Red and Blue.
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club AGM
This seasons AGM will be held at Kings Park on the 24th October starting at 7:30 pm.
Junior Club News
Congratulations to EFL Best & Fairest winners Hunter Greenall (U15’s) and Brody-Stone Edwards (U12’s). Junior Presentation Day is on the 18th September. Another date to put in diary is Registration Day on the 13th November between 11am and 1pm.
U17's Top Age Coach 2017 - Applications Open 30th Sept 2016
Please forward your expression of interest, ensuring you include any supporting information & documentation via email to: upperferntreegullyjnr@efl.org.au or via post to: PO Box 91, Ferntree Gully Mail Centre, FTG 3156. Please mark for the attention of Shane Mason - Coaching Co-Ordinator. See attached Application form
Terry Hopkins Junior Development Foundation
After an idea from then Colts Coach Graham Lenthall who discussed it with then senior president Andy Neville, Neville Roberts was approached and became the prime instigator of this initiative and through consultation with the senior club, this idea was taken to the junior club and the birth of the then “Royals Club” took place.
In 2001 a coterie was formed by some interested members and ex-players with a view to forming a foundation whereby a support group could be set up to assist the transition of junior players into the senior ranks of Upper Gully. This group was originally named “The Royals Club” and their agenda was to offer financial, attendance and moral support, mentoring, guest speakers and skill specialists etc. to keep our great club going. Our target group was the Under 15’s and 16’s of the Upper Gully Juniors in conjunction with the Colts (under 18’s) of the Senior Club. With the change in EFL age groups this has now become the U17’s and U19’s groups.
It was agreed that a U/16 player would be selected at the end of the season as “The Royals Rising Star”. A unique criterion was set for the selection of this award with the intention being to select a player most likely to play senior football at Upper Gully.
In 2005 the club lost dear friend and devotee Terry Hopkins following a long battle with cancer. In recognition of his courage and passion for our club, which was an inspiration to all, the former “Royals Club” was renamed in his honour.
Over the past years, the Terry Hopkins Foundation has continued to evolve from what began as a passionate attempt to set up a formal organisation to assist the senior club in promoting and developing players for the future.
After 2014 the THF did away with the membership fee and instead decided to concentrate its fundraising on the annual luncheon. As all THF members were required to be a member of the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club as per the constitution, part of the THF membership fee was returned to the club. With this change now all money raised at the Luncheon will go to the THF. Of course anybody wishing to be a member of the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club is more than welcome to do so.
The charter of the THF is simple; it is devoted to raising funds to help ensure the future of the club through the support and development of our young players.
All proceeds from THF fundraising initiatives are used to benefit our younger players. Primarily the THF provides in conjunction with the Junior Club funding and support for the development of our junior players through coach education provided by “The Modern Game”.
Since 2001 the THF has sponsored the club’s under 19 “Rising Star” award, provided warm-up jackets for the club’s under 17’s and under 19s, funded information/education evenings for the club’s juniors, provided Sherrin footballs for awards to under 17 players, continued to contribute funds to retain the services of “The Modern Game” and provided funding for the under 19/under 17 Boot Camp amongst other contributions.
Upper Gully Buddy System
This year we have rolled out our buddy system between our Under 17's and senior players, this program has been established to continue to improve the transition from junior to senior footy at Upper Gully. The program consisted of our senior players presenting their buddy with their jumper for the season at a jumper presentation night held before the season, following that the seniors attended at least 2 of the boys’ games throughout the year and also our senior buddies were present for one of the junior family nights. Outside of this the buddies can communicate with each other as mentors and provide advice for the boys to aid in their development on and off the field. The program has continued to evolve over the year paving the way for years to come.
Upper Gully Football Club History
Andy Lee has added to the website under the History tab a complete table of head to head results against all sides that the seniors have played since 1949. Andy also has been compiling a list of all players to have played for Upper Gully and has now added to the website an updated list of players from 1949-1959 who have played for Upper Gully; any further details on these players would be appreciated. Still looking for Upper Gully Membership Cards from 1969, 1970 and 1971 as well as 1951; also after any EFL records from the 1960’s, 1970’s or 1980’s, if anyone can help please contact Andy Lee on 0419 539 863. Please check the Club History Page on the club website as well as the Battler page. If anyone is interested in providing anecdotes about the club or their own or others football career or any amendments or additions to the club history on the website; please contact Andy Lee at alene.lee@ozemail.com.au
Lifeworks Counselling Service
The Club has formed a new partnership with LifeWorks Relationship Counselling & Education Services to provide counselling to any players from the club requiring assistance for any issues they may have; this is a free and confidential counselling service and will provide great assistance for Robyn Lawson our Club Wellbeing Officer.
Upper Gully Past Players Group
Great day was had by all Past Players who turned up earlier in the year including a couple of Premiership coaches in attendance. The club would like to see as many former players at all matches during the season showing their support for the current players. The club is very keen to start up a formal past players group at Upper Gully to allow for gatherings and functions to help support the club. This season as well as last season saw plenty of familiar faces with past players and officials at the THF Lunch all enjoying being able to catch with current and past friends and teammates in a social atmosphere. If you are interested in being involved in the past players group please let us know so we can organise dates for functions and numbers. Please contact Casey de Groot on 0419 377 588 or Andy Lee on 0419 539 863 for further details.
Mascot/Baby Jumpers
We have Mascot/Baby Jumpers available for order, short sleeve or long sleeve. From sizes 0 and Upwards. Also can order with number on the Back of Jumper. Prices are $65 for short sleeve and $70 for long sleeve. We need to place order with at least 10 jumpers so if you are interested please email uftg-orders@hotmail.comor contact Tom Caruso on 0406 102 549 with your order details.
2016 Membership
Don't be a Supporter Become a Member; support your club and get free entry to Home Games as well as access to the Social Club and Voting Rights. Contact Andy Lee on 0419 539 863 for further details.
King Club 2016
The King Club lunch was held during the last home game against Templestowe. Last season saw a new initiative in the King Club Flyer Trophy where members cast votes (3, 2, and 1) on the player they think had the greatest impact in the first half of the game and had gotten the team off to a flying start. Well done to Ben Haddock who took out the award for the 2016 season. The King Club is a support group for the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club and provides valuable funds for the Football Club. For 2016 members of the King Club have access to the rooms during the senior game half time were they receive food and drinks complimentary during the break; there are also raffles to raise further money with joker poker featured. You become a club member and have free entry into home games and also received a King Club Polo or other Merchandise. There is also a social event during the season. Neil Thompson can be contacted for further Details at neilt101@hotmail.com mobile: 0400 921 357.
Silver Membership – Cost of $300.
· Club Membership - $50
· Jacket - $50
· Entry to half time (drinks and food) - $200
· End of year function with partner (lunch and drinks) - $100
Value - $400
Gold Membership - $500.
· All of Silver benefits -$410
· Attendance at MCG Corporate Box for one match with full catering - $500
Value - $900
The Modern Game
Upper Gully Football Club has yet again employed the services of Craig Winter from ‘The Modern Game’. 2016 will be the 7th year that Craig or as he is commonly known as Crackers will be involved with this club. We would be one of the very few football clubs that would have this level of commitment to supporting the coaches. ‘The Modern Game’ provides a Coaches Development program to support junior coaches and the players in their football journey. ‘The Modern Game’ philosophy and mission is to educate coaches, via their robust coaching framework, that junior football is not all about scoreboard results, it is about teaching, developing and improving the children with their sporting skills and their general life skills. If the focus is on these areas, the ‘results’ elements will look after themselves. Craig will again hold Coaching workshops which our coaches will attend, every coach will be provided coaching resources to assist in areas such as planning training sessions and other relevant tools, he will also be available to assist in training sessions. He will also observe our coaches on game day and provide verbal and written feedback on areas that were well handled and areas where they can in improve in their coaching performance. We would be one of the only EFL clubs that would go that level in assisting and improving our Junior Coaches.
The Modern Game is again looking forward to supporting the club, and specifically the coaches, to further develop their skill and knowledge and enhance their coaching journey. After consultation with all parties, we agree that the current format of the program provides the outcomes the club is looking for and hence we will continue to provide the following: Structure and support to facilitate coaching interviews, 4 x Pre-season coaching workshops, Age Specific Coaching Folders provided to each Coach, 1:1 Mentoring/Tuition for individual coaches, Regular visits and practical support at training sessions, Game Day observations & feedback, Additional support with club requirements (ie. Policies, etc.)
Once again the focus of the program and partnership will be to ensure external and ongoing support is provided to each coach as often as needed. While many of the coaches are at different stages of their journey, past years’ suggest they all benefit from: Tips to prepare & improve your training session, Young player development, Age specific training programs, Player Assessments to track improvement, Skill acquisition and remediation advice, Skills to coach resilience & manage expectation.
Sponsors News
Thank you to all our SPONSORS for 2016, especially our Major Sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota and our Gold Sponsors Action Events, Frawley Signs, Mystique Printingand LPS Waste Services. We also welcome on board the FTG Motoring Group as a significant sponsor. More news about this sponsorship later but part of the deal is for our new Away Clash Jumpers that the club will wear three times during the season including last weeks practice match. Why wait until summer if you want that pool contact our sponsor Pools-R-Us on 9547 8800 Don’t forget to contact Norm Reynolds for all your used car and servicing requirements. The club has signed up Johnny Boys Pizza’s in Upper Gully as a new sponsor. Last season the club welcomed on board Trident Leasing Australia as a new sponsor, contact Peter Nicholls on 1300 883 718 for all your funding needs, also iTrak Real Estate are on board sponsoring Upper Gully shorts, for any real estate requirements contact David on 0411 655 611. Anytime Fitness Ferntree Gully is now a sponsor of the Club and has agreed to a special rate for Players and Members of UFTGFC at $12 / week for 18 Month contract.In addition Jason Wood – Federal Liberal Member for Latrobe and Ray White Real Estate came on as Sponsor’s in 2015. Please use them and mention you are from the club so they continue their support to us. Their details can be found on the website. Also if anyone who knows of potential sponsors please contact Peter Hards, who will follow up with you.
Social Media
Theclub is on TWITTER; ClickHere Currently 523 followers and growing; also the club is on FACEBOOK currently with over 472 subscribers. Search for and Subscribe to the UpperferntreeGully OfficalSite FootballClub. The club has created a new Team App for IPhone and Android Phone users for all the news and events happening around the club with currently 133 members. All you need to do is download the Team App fromhttp://teamapp.com/appand search for UFTGFC to install on your phoneAnd now we are on Instagram as well; https://www.instagram.com/uftgfc/with already 210 followers as well as aYou Tube site
The club is compiling a database of email address so that we are able to communicate to as many people as possible the latest news and events happening around the club more efficiently. With this in mind could you please forward the email address of any Upper Gully people you may know touppergullynews@hotmail.com
UFTG Football Club Committee 2016