SPORTS DIRECTOR'S REPORT What a year it has been! Where do I start? 2020 started off fantastically for all Sub-Clubs with a great season of summer sports finishing up. Just as our winter sports were about to commence, the world stopped us very sharply in our tracks. We were hit with the news of COVID-19. At this stage, many of us were unaware of the effect it would have on us as individuals, the Club, and our sporting clubs. On Tuesday 24 March 2020, all Mounties Group venues and clubs had to close at the direction of the government at NSW Health. We managed to complete our summer sports season, but sadly our Sub-Clubs were unable to have their annual presentations. To ensure the safety of everyone, all Sub-Clubs agreed there would be no major presentation in October and instead we would wait until 2021 to make it bigger and better, Our Clubs reopened on 1 June 2020 and had to adhere to both the government and NSW Health guidelines. As the health and wellbeing of all members continued to be at the forefront of all decisions, it was decided that some of our internal Sub-Clubs could not recommence until a later date. It was with a heavy heart that we made the decision to delay the winter sports programs. However, we know that sport and community play a very important role in peoples mental health and so with the support of our staff and members, we strived to work out ways to live and play in the conditions we found ourselves in. Our hockey and junior soccer teams played a slightly shorter season than usual. Our netball team made the difficult decision to cancel their season, and instead they successfully organised a short twilight competition which was enjoyed by all. Our Rugby League Administrator, Chris Hutchinson made the difficult decision to withdraw for the season and instead look forward to achieving great things in 2021. By the end of 2020, using hand sanitiser, signing in and social distancing became the new normal and we all learned to adapt to our surroundings. At the start of 2021, things certainly felt like they were getting back to normal. We were busy organising our competitions, presentations and the AGMs. We had also started renovations on our internal sports area, known as
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| 2021 Annual Report
the Champions Area giving us a new space for snooker, indoor bowls, darts, table tennis and physical culture, and our top lounge. Whilst we have had to delay the launch of this incredible new space, we are excited to reopen hopefully in the coming months and we cannot wait to welcome you to the aptly named, Murphy’s. The name derives from one of our Directors, Tom Murphy. The Murphy’s family is a very important part of our Clubs history having been heavily involved with the Club for the last 50years. I would like to thank quite a few people for making my life as Sports Director an absolute pleasure. Firstly, I would like to thank each, and every one of our SubClubs members. We are all one big family that look out for one another, support each other in our times of need and we are all passionately dedicated to enjoying and playing the sports that we love. A huge thank you to our President, Kevin Ingram and my colleagues on the Board for your advice, guidance, support, and friendship that you have given me. I would not be the Sports Director I am today without you all. To our Sports Committee; Lorraine Dean, Tom Murphy, Leon Hansen, Omega Octavia. Dawn Kelly and Lyn King, I want to express my gratitude for all your, support, contribution, and friendship and for your unwavering dedication and hard work you have put into our Sub-Clubs during 20-21. To our CEO Mr Dale Hunt, his management team, and the staff, I thank you all for your support and friendship, it certainly makes my job a pleasure in these very trying times. Finally, to my two ladies, Dawn and Lyn that I work so closely with every day of the week. Without the love and support of these ladies, I wouldn’t be where I am today, as they make my Sports Director portfolio a pleasure. Nothing is too much trouble, and they have my back at all times, I cannot thank them enough. Remember, as I always, we are a community and so much more than a Club, we are family. From my heart, to yours, thank you
JENNY MCNEVIN Sports Director
