This is a note written by Patrick Curtis back in the year 2000.

 

The year 2000 saw the birth of a new Australian rules Junior Football Club located in the Eastern Suburbs – Maroubra Saints JAFC.

At the beginning of the year, much hard work was done by a few, but extremely eager, people to get the club organised and running.

A committee was formed, coaches appointed and advertising was instigated to get the interest of children to come down and have some fun playing Aussie Rules.

We started with about 6 children at our first training session and grew to 32 register players who enjoyed the inaugural year. In this initial year, we formed an Auskick side together with an U11’s team and have watched their skills improve immensely over the season.

Although results on the scoreboard were a little bit modest , off the field we grew in stature which no doubt will stand us in good stead for the future.

The number of committee members has since seen an increase with relevant positions now fulfilled and members working together to ensure a harmonious and properly run club for all to be proud of.

Some achievements include a home ground with facilities, canteen set up and running smoothly, adopting a club logo/letterhead along with club attire – caps/T-Shirts – being organised and purchased.

Another asset to our club was the appointment of the Sydney Swans “1999 Rising Star Award Winner” Adam Goodes as our club patron. Adam has been most generous with his time and patience with the children and they certainly look up to him, as well as several other players who have kindly come along to assist him.

The children, although not winning many of their games, continue to enjoy their Aussie Rules Footy and are eager to learn more about the game as well as improve their teamwork and skill levels.

With continued resilience and more hard work by all involved – Players, Parents, Volunteers as well as the Committee – we will no doubt see the Maroubra Saints enjoy more success both on and off the field into next season and beyond.

To all those involved within the running of the Club, a special “Thank You” goes to you all and lets help each other make this Club a highly successful one in the years to come.

Thanks also to our fellow Clubs in the Sydney City Competition for their kind help and guidance throughout the season to ensure we made it through this – our inaugural year.

GO SAINTERS