DENILIQUIN ROVERS FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB

The Deniliquin Rovers Football and Netball Club is planning for another massive season in the 2022 Picola and District Football Netball League.

On the menu are plenty of social events, opportunities for sponsorship, and some impressive team selections to keep members, players and fans busy.

Leading the club this year is an executive consisting of President - John Glowrey; Vice Presidents - Anthony Joss and Craig McCulloch; Secretary - Felicity Ezard; Treasurer - Liz McNamara. The executive are supported by 7 general committee members who are responsible for their own portfolio (Netball, Senior Football, Junior Football, Social, Finance, Grounds and Buildings).

Football

Deniliquin Rovers is developing a robust senior side for 2022, led by 2021 Picola District Football League Coach of the Year Alex Hay. Hay brings a wealth of playing and leadership experience in his return as the Roos’ coach, and for him it starts from the top down.

‘‘From my perspective, I think that you have to be a good communicator and treat every player on their merits,’’ Hay said.

‘‘I’ve come across some interesting characters in my relatively short career. Managing the personalities can be difficult, but if you’re able to connect with the individual then you’re halfway there.

‘‘I know I’m a grand optimist, but I think getting a full list on the park with the additions of our juniors into full-time senior football, plus a couple of recruits will make a dramatic difference to the football that we are going to be able to produce.’’

And he has certainly succeeded, despite the challenge of player retention which has tested many clubs coming into 2022.

Debutantes: Nick Sheldon (formerly Echuca), Jack O’Callaghan (formerly Echuca), James Falcone (Lancefield),

John Allitt (formerly Mathoura), Joe Hay (Ballina).

Player retention between the junior grades to the senior grades is important for all clubs. Of the 15 top aged players from last year’s thirds group, the club has retained 12 in more senior ranks.

Young stars Ray Murphy, Tom Blake, Haydn Mowat, Brock Redden and Jai Ezard are shaping up as promising senior players. Murphy won the best and fairest in the thirds last season and league Rising Star Award.

Hay hopes to continue building a closeknit team.

‘‘Keeping local this year — whilst it has not been reflected in our win-loss record — the group staying consistent will see us going from strength to strength,’’ Hay said.

‘‘The nucleus of a really strong team is there. Adding a few tweaks will be an exciting prospect heading into next season.

‘‘Every team sets up their season to have a run at finals and beyond and that’s certainly where my focus is, but for us it will be about reinforcing what we have been working towards the last 18 months.’’

Shayne Knuckey is once again coaching the fifths and has plenty of young footballers eager to play in the blue and the white.

Pete Wills continues to coach our fourths side and teach young footballers the craft of the game. The Deni Rovers feel extremely lucky to have such a great coach, and his work can be seen filtering throughout the grades as the kids grow up.

Chris Maher is a first-time coach and is coaching the thirds side this year. Chris, who was a dangerous forward in his playing days, is a smart footballer and has a wealth of knowledge. Although the thirds numbers are a little low this year, due to 15 players moving up a grade at once, Chris has a strong nucleus to work with.

Netball

Deniliquin Rovers netballers are going all-in this season.

The senior Roos have put in intensive training sessions, with Brittany Kirby leading A grade. The team has been training together with Tim van Lieshout’s B side, pushing improvement in fitness, ball skills and teamwork.

The Rovers take a whole-club approach to success, with no netballer left behind. Succession through the levels of netball was the idea when placing past and present A grade players in charge of the under 15 and 17 sides.

Kirby played for Deniliquin Rams as a junior before getting her start with the Rovers at 15. She was a member of the 2009 premiership A-grade team with Rovers.

Despite being a hard and fast centre, Kirby is taking a step back as a nonplaying coach in the upcoming season, as part of her role in fostering the next generation of A-grade Roos. She says the key to making it all work is consistency. Kirby hopes a dedicated pre-season will lead the team to a premiership.

Like in the football ranks, club succession is key on the courts.

Deniliquin Rovers netballers Sienna Jenkins, Abby Wills and Georgia McCulloch have all made the transition straight into A grade.

Junior development remains a key focus for the netballers, with some new initiatives in 2022.

Natalie Sampson, Carissa Holmberg, Chrissy Hurst, Nerisa Wills and Lucy Horne have signed on as coaches to boost engagement and the skills of the club’s youngest players.

Netball coordinator Nicole Jenkins said the last two years have emphasised the need for more junior development, for the longevity of the club.

‘‘The main aim of it is that we’ve got those young and aspiring talented netballers,’’ she said. ‘‘We’ve got the senior coaches that want to elevate them, working together with the junior coach.

‘‘That has worked really successfully in the last couple of years.’’

“Alex Glowrey and Cheryl Thommers are working together to coordinate and mentor young and aspiring netballers in 2022,” Jenkins said.

“This is a continuation of our focus in inspiring and developing interested young netball umpires through umpiring clinics and one-on-one mentoring at the club.

“Our club is also very supportive of players who wish to become badged. Without umpires, games are not possible.

“We have made a concerted effort over recent years to foster the development of our umpires and value their contribution to the club.”

Memberships

Social memberships are $85 and help support the club – you will get free entry to home games and entry to home game cash membership draws. Aged Pensioner memberships are just $70.

Sponsorships

Rovers Sponsorship packages start from only $400 inc gst and are ideal for anyone seeking an affordable way to get their business out in front of the crowd, expand brand awareness and increase their involvement with the Deniliquin Rovers Football & Netball Club, support player development, help improve facilities and receive fantastic event tickets, membership, entry into weekly cash members draws and other matchday benefits. Rovers Player Awards Sponsorship is another option. It is never too late to sponsor. Contact deniliquin.rovers@outlook.com for sponsorship information.

Follow Rovers on Facebook and Instagram to find updates, photos, scores, social event details and other information.