Archive for category: News

Bron Gulden – Saints Life Member | Academy Coach | Footy Trailblazer

Last month, we had the privilege of hearing from Bron Gulden, Maroubra Saints Life Member, at our season launch and coaches and managers info night.

Bron has deep roots in our club, with two of her children having played for the Saints. She was instrumental in the club’s early growth and development.

Growing up in the 1970s, Bron wasn’t allowed to play football herself, but she was always at her dad’s side around the footy club. Those early experiences helped her develop great skills that she later passed down to her children. Her daughter Senna was the only girl in Maroubra Saints Auskick at the time, by the time she was 10 or 11. Bron and the then president, worked hard to find as many girls as they could and then with AFL Sydney started the first junior girls games with another composite team from the North. Senna was only 11 and the teams age could probably be classified as an average under 16s and the team played every few weeks when they had enough numbers. Incredibly in a little over 10 years, thanks to the seeds Bron planted, Maroubra now has 2 teams in each age group from under 9s to under 17s, last year making every grand final.  The Swans Academy female program is in its ninth year and the Swans AFLW are into their forth season.

Now in her ninth season as Academy Coach, Bron leads the U16 girls and assists with the U18 girls. She was also the Back Line coach for the Swans AFLW team for three seasons, her introduction to elite sport. Bron’s journey to coaching at the elite level wasn’t easy – after completing all her certifications and experience at the Saints, it took persistent lobbying to secure her the coaching role.

During her talk, Bron shared memorable stories, including the AFL9s team where her son Errol played alongside Senna, Abe and Ben Davis (former Maroubra Saints and AFL listed players [Swans and Adelaide respectively]) when Errol was just 12.

 Wisdom for Coaches

Bron emphasised how coaches’ conversations with players shape their experience. “Coaches have a great deal of influence on the sideline. It’s about striking the right balance between competition and participation,” she noted. “It’s about development, teamwork and creating an environment where every player has a role to play.”

One of her most powerful messages was redefining success: “Success isn’t on the scoreboard, it’s about how players grow and support each other. We rarely talk about results, it’s about changing the narrative about what you are playing for. True success is bringing someone else into the game, lifting a teammate, creating opportunities and making those around you better. That’s what we talk about in the change rooms.”

Bron encourages shifting the focus to why we play: “Are we playing to improve? To challenge ourselves? To be better teammates?” This mindset, she believes, fosters resilience and a lasting love for the game.

“The biggest thing you can do is share your knowledge, your love for the game and seeing players develop in themselves in the coaching space is so fulfilling,” she said.

In an inspiring demonstration of her own philosophy, Bron made her AFL debut with UNSW at age 55, playing alongside our former Saints president, Renee Beck.

Thank you, Bron, for sharing your wisdom and stories with our coaching community.

We’re excited to have CHAMP Mouthguards visiting us for custom mouthguard fitting service.

Fitting Details:

• Date: Wednesday, 12th March
• Time: From 4 PM
• Location: Heffron Canteen (Jersey Road)

Product Options & Pricing (GST included):

• ProCHAMP: $215 – Double layer, suitable for all sports.
• Mouthguards for Braces: $250

Each mouthguard comes with a choice of colour and design, a sanitary box, lanyard, and the option to add initials and a mobile number on the inner side.

Health Fund Rebate: If you have private health insurance, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to 80%, depending on your coverage. The item number for checking with your provider is item#151.

Preparation for Fitting: To ensure a quick and efficient fitting session, please fill out our online reservation and payment form beforehand at this https://champmouthguards3.hpp.tillpayments.com (If the link does not open, please copy and paste it into your browser).

A paid tax invoice will be emailed to you once the service has been rendered as a requirement from HICAPs, which you can use to claim directly with your health fund provider.

For any inquiries regarding our mouthguards or services, or to book directly with the clinic, please visit their website at www.champmouthguards.com.

🏉 Train Like Errol – Saints Feb Footy Challenge is Here! 🏉

Want to tour the Swans HQ, have a kick with Swans star and former Saints premiership player Errol Gulden, and get photos and signatures?

Here’s your chance! Errol is backing the Maroubra Saints Feb Footy Challenge to inspire the next generation of champions. He lives and breathes this ethos, always working on something to improve his game from a young age.

How to be in the running:
✔ Nominate a daily challenge to improve your skills, fitness, or strength.
✔ Commit to the work and share your progress through February.
✔ Be registered by 15th February to qualify for prizes!

Here are some ideas to kick things off:
👉 Skills: 100 touches a day, 50 opposite-handed handballs, or 20 overhead marks.
👉 Fitness or Speed: A lap of the oval, 10 sprints a day, or 3 reps of the Coogee stairs (if you know, you know!).
👉 Strength: 25 push-ups, sit-ups, or chin-ups, or a 1-minute plank.

Need ideas? Reach out to your coach for suggestions!

💪 Share your progress through the month to motivate your teammates, and remember, practice makes progress.

🔗 Fill out this quick form to join the challenge: https://forms.gle/BJFzGBzkhnUCZwZ27

Let’s get to work Saints! 💪

Celebrating Two Exceptional Volunteers: Jodie and Kellie Recognised with Life Membership at Maroubra Saints

At the heart of every thriving community club are dedicated volunteers who pour their time, energy, and passion. This year, Maroubra Saints proudly recognises Jodie and Kellie with Life Membership for their outstanding contributions, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to our club. These incredible women embody the spirit of community, and their dedication over the years has left an indelible mark on our Saints family.

Jodie: Over a Decade of Tireless Service

Jodie has been a cornerstone of the Maroubra Saints for over 10 years, selflessly giving her time and expertise in countless ways. Starting as a committee member pre 2015, Jodie has held pivotal roles, including Auskick Registrar and later Club Registrar—a monumental position requiring extensive pre-season work. Remarkably, Jodie continues in these roles after her children had stopped playing, demonstrating her deep commitment to the club’s success.

Her efforts extend beyond administration, as she managed teams, supported the club’s transition to new systems like PlayHQ, and even ran the uniform shop. Whether it was organising flyers for school newsletters, assisting with event management, or rolling up her sleeves at working bees, Jodie has consistently stepped up to help wherever needed. Her unwavering dedication to the Saints—spending countless hours ensuring smooth operations—has been above and beyond. Jodie’s contributions are a testament to her passion for the club and its community.

Kellie: A Champion for Youth Girls and Community Spirit

Kellie has been a driving force at Maroubra Saints for over 10 years, passionately championing youth girls’ development and taking on numerous roles that have shaped the club’s success. As the first Youth Girls Coach at the Saints, Kellie played a key role in promoting and growing female participation in AFL. Her efforts and enthusiasm has inspired a generation of players and coaches, and her open, encouraging coaching style has made her well respected among players and parents.

In addition to coaching, Kellie has held various administrative and organisational roles, from managing club newsletters to overseeing umpire appointments and draw development. Her work behind the scenes—such as creating canteen rosters, updating team lists, and responding promptly to club emails—reflects her dedication to keeping the club running smoothly.

Beyond her formal roles, Kellie has been a visible and enthusiastic presence at Saints games, often capturing photos of players to share with the community. Her proactive, positive approach and love for AFL have made her an invaluable asset to the Saints family.

Thank you!!

Both Jodie and Kellie have gone above and beyond for the Maroubra Saints, dedicating countless hours to roles that often go unnoticed but are vital to the club’s success. Their recognition as Life Members is a testament to their extraordinary efforts, passion for the game, and love for our community.

We thank Jodie and Kellie for their long standing, unwavering commitment and congratulate them on this well-deserved honour. Their efforts will no doubt inspire future generations to continue building the inclusive, supportive, and vibrant community that defines the Maroubra Saints.

Thank you, Jodie and Kellie, for everything you’ve done to make our club a better place!