Annual General Meeting 2023 - President's Report
Northern Hawks with Andrew Chapman
Northern Hawks President’s Report 2023 By Andrew Chapman
On-Field Performance in the Denton Engineering Cup
After knocking over 2022 semi-finalists Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 38-6 and the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 50-18, our First Grade team pushed most rivals to the limit in their clashes. We suffered narrow losses to the Western Suburbs Rosellas (24-20 and 8-0), this year’s play-off combatants Wyong Roos (22-16 and 28-16) and the Cessnock Goannas (34-22).
Our Reserve Grade side were in the top half of the competition at the front half of the season and had a number of good wins.
Despite a glut of player numbers, our Under 19s struggled due to initial instability in our coaching ranks, which we will address this season. However, a number of those under 19s went on to gain invaluable experience in reserve grade, and even first grade.
It would be remiss not to also mention the Northern Hawks Under 17s, who made the division 1 grand final.
A Challenging Entry to the Denton Engineering Cup
Our club came off the excitement of winning the 2022 reserve grade grand final. But, going into 2023, there were a couple of challenges from the start. One was how late in the piece we were advised that we were in the competition (26 Oct) and then, two days later, the PPIS came to fruition. As a result there were a whole lot of plans that we’d put in place in anYcipaYon that had to change at the last minute.
However, as far as the work that (coach) Brad Tighe and the senior players did, and the amount of local juniors who got an opportunity, 2023 set us up for the future. One example was Cody Hancock, who was in the running for Rookie of the Year.
The other pleasing factor was witnessing the collective “heart” of the squad, which was in the fight for up to 60-70 minutes every match. And with coach Brad Tighe and players Timana Alexander, Floyd Tighe, Quincy Ross, Lachy Williams, Henry Penn and Liam Walsh in our ranks along with the young up and comers, there’s a nucleus there. I’m confident we’re taking the steps to build the culture and the pathway what it takes to build a sustainable, successful club.
A Pathway to the Future and a Positive Impact Beyond Footy
A playing base of 1,000 local juniors in the Port Stephens region integrated with the local Aboriginal pathways puts us in a very strong position for the future.
In our three years of existence we’ve massively overachieved by any standards. Now we are establishing the foundations for the long-term, through our committee and our revenue streams. The engagement of ClubMap is a recent example of this. We need to continue to put the foundations in place so this is sustainable for the long- term. Some of that surrounds the club itself, its structure, the volunteers and the revenue streams. The other part is the players and staff that set our culture that we can build a successful side around while the juniors come through.
The work done by Charlie Faulkner and Jess Macartney in providing mental health first aid training to Awabakal members also needs to be called out here, in terms of the revenue stream for the club but more importantly, for the huge positive impact it will have on the community.
Thank You
I’m truly grateful to everyone that worked so tirelessly for our club in 2023. A huge thanks also to those of you who are prepared to take on roles in our new committee. With our continued planning and work together I am positive the future is bright for the Northern Hawks.