Archive for category: News

We’re excited to share this catch-up with Liam Burns, who stepped into the role of Club President at the start of the season.

With big shoes to fill after Renee’s five-year term, Liam brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm for the club’s future. In this interview, he shares a little about his background, how he got involved with the club, and his hopes for the seasons ahead.

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Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself—where you grew up and the sports you played as a kid?

I grew up in Newcastle, playing soccer in winter, sailing skiffs in summer and swimming and surfing nearly all year round. When I was 18 or 19, I was playing grade soccer for a small club that was very exclusive around who played first grade. I’d had enough of the politics and so my stepfather (a Victorian) suggested giving AFL a go. I went down to Newcastle City and joined up, falling in love with our game instantly.

Newcastle City was a great club, warm, inviting and welcoming of all people and abilities. I played nearly 100 games there before I moved to Sydney for work, where I played 2 seasons with Sydney University before my Achilles (both of them) decided it was time to hang up the boots.

Q: How did you first get involved with The Saints?

When my eldest son was 4, I was keen to us both involved. We came down to the first training in 2019 and I became one of the coaches in the Under 5s in Auskick. To this day I am still coaching him, and it is one of the most joyous things to see all the kids grow and develop their skills and approach to footy. I’ve developed strong friendships with parents too.

Q: What would you say to parents who might be thinking about getting more involved in the club? Where’s the best place to start?

Anyone can get involved, play and most importantly be part of a great club that is welcoming, fun and community focussed. Whether as a player or volunteer, it’s just getting in there and having a go. I came to football ‘late’ and played for nearly 10 years and during that time formed great friendships, had wonderful experiences and kept in ‘relative’ shape.

Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for our club to grow over the next three years?

Our club has amazing traditions and is inclusive and community oriented. We have some great opportunities to continue to grow. Our committee has been working hard in many areas for example, a focus is on increasing girls’ participation and skills; we’re working with the AFL on establishing an Indigenous program; creating pathways to senior football; and improving our grounds and facilities (including contingencies for wet weather). During the year and into 2026 we intend on making announcements on these and other great opportunities.

Q: Why do you think being part of a local sports club is so important for kids?

Kids need sport and social activities to grow and develop, and a local sports club allows children foster relationships with others beyond their immediate circle and the school they attend. Sport allows children to develop discipline, teamwork and resilience.

Q: And what about your own family—are they involved in sports too?

My boys have tried may sports and the only one that sticks is AFL.  They’ve done nippers and soccer and are now exploring mountain bike riding. Hopefully they stick with AFL, they have some cousins who play for Glebe so there is a bit of healthy competitive tension there.

Q: Now, the big question—who’s your footy team, and why?

I cheer cheered when I read this question! I’ve supported the Swannies since I took up footy and I became a member when I moved to Sydney. My whole family are now members too and although they’re not as passionate as I am, we love going to the footy (except Grand Finals).

Q: Quickfire round!

 Flat White, Long Black, Latte, Skinny Cap, or Beer? Got to start the day with a flat white, but nothing like a refreshing Sydney craft brewed Pale Ale to wind down.

 Bacon & Egg Roll, Sausage Roll, Salad Roll, or Meat Pie? Oh I cannot go past a bacon and egg roll, no sauce!

Q: How do you keep yourself fit these days?

Coaching two teams gets my steps up and out of season it is regular gym and jogging – a great way to clear the mind.

Q: Any final thoughts or words of encouragement for The Saints community to round out 2025 and getting ready for 2026?

For the kids and players, always have a footy. Regular kicking is a great way to improve your skills.

For parents and volunteers, keep involved, come to the amazing functions we put on and help where you can – look out for the Women in Sport lunch, end of season party, and the golf day. There are many ways to get involved and support our amazing club.

Go Saints!

 

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! 💪

We are thrilled to share the very exciting news, that our very own Imogen Brown signs with the Sydney Swans… and is coming home.

Immy’s connection to the Saints runs deep. She was part of our inaugural U12 Youth Girls team and also a member of the very first QBE Sydney Swans Academy intake, making her journey all the more special for everyone who has been part of the club along the way.

Over seven seasons at Maroubra, Immy played an incredible 91 games across both girls and mixed teams. More than just the numbers, though, it’s the way she went about it that left such a lasting impression.

Coach Kellie Nolan, who worked closely with Immy during her time at the club, reflected on what made her such a standout.

“It’s been such a joy to watch Immy develop as both a player and a person, on and off the field,” she said.

On the field, Immy built a reputation as a true all-rounder. Known for her speed, agility and relentless defensive pressure, she had the rare ability to step into any position and make an impact. Wherever the team needed her, she got the job done!!

Off the field, she brought just as much.

“She’s incredibly polite, her favourite response was always ‘Thank you, thank you’ or ‘Yes, thank you’ whenever she was given feedback, and then she would go out and put it straight into action” Kellie said.

A talented footballer, a natural leader, and someone who always put the team first, Immy set the standard for those around her. She led through her actions and earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike.

Her signing with the Swans felt like a full-circle moment, not just for Immy, but for the entire Saints community who have followed her journey from the very beginning.

We couldn’t be more excited for you, Immy and we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved.

We’ll be cheering you on and can’t wait to see you out on the field at Henson.