NHFC Newsletter April 2023

We thank Peter Fisher for coordinating the development of our new web site with our supplier, Tempus Innovative Solutions, which includes a new format for our newsletter. We also thank Rick, Dave and Paul for content writing and creative input.

Members will be sent an email link to access the newsletters when they are published. Copies of the newsletter will also be uploaded to the new web site and a small number of printed copies will be available as we transition to a digital format.

As you may well know by now the TSL competition is likely to be wound up at the end of 2024. What follows is some of the events of recent time in relation to this decision by AFL Tasmania and our position on that.

Our club’s purpose is to provide the opportunity for players to achieve at the highest level in an aspirational and inclusive environment. We will always compete in the highest level of footy competition available to us. Our players, coaches, members, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors are united in pursuing our purpose and goals.

We will continue to nurture and support ambitious players and will work hard to maintain our strong club culture and member base. Our collaboration with our junior feeder clubs, in particular Sandy Bay JFC and North Hobart JFC will continue, and we will maintain our record as one of the most prolific developers of Tasmanian representative players. Currently we have as many as 20 youth in Tasmanian Devils teams who are associated with our club.
We will continue to strive hard in the TSL competition for the remainder of this year and in 2024, and we will collaborate with AFL Tas and TSL clubs to ensure we have a competition structure in place in 2025 to achieve our club’s purpose.

Late in April our club chaired a meeting of all TSL clubs where we confirmed our preference for the continuation of the TSL and wrote to AFL Tas as a collective of clubs to confirm our support for the TSL and strengthening of elite women footy.

Things moved quickly in the week following that meeting of club presidents and then the announcement came that AFL Tas, the TSL competition owners, were not continuing past 2024.

We are concerned of the impact on recent decisions on our colleague TSL clubs and most importantly Launceston and North Launceston, with their rich history of outstanding contribution to footy in Tasmania and in providing talent to higher level competitions including the AFL.

Our preference is for the continuation of the TSL; however, we will support the best path forward to achieve our purpose in the current and emerging context.
We are fully committed to supporting the establishment of the AFL and VFL teams in Tasmania.
Currently we are experiencing success across all aspects of our football program with all NHFC teams in the top half of the ladder in their respective competitions. The coaching across all teams is high quality and there is a very positive vibe around the club. We are well placed for the long season slog through winter.

It has been great to see supporter numbers growing as we build on our successes. Our players are really enjoying the positive feedback they receive from our supporters.
We are in good shape and together we will plan for success into the future.

Dave Kilpatrick

The men’s season has started well with the seniors sitting 2-2 and the D League 3-1. Clearly our strong pre-season is paying off. I’m enjoying the week-to-week challenges and am very proud of the players taking on a new game plan and prioritising their fitness.
We have shown that when we play to the game plan, we are competitive with the best teams in the competition. The biggest highlights for me so far have been our first win on Anzac Day and seeing the development of some of our younger stars in the making.
Thursday nights are becoming a feature and I’d love to see supporters and families come along for the club dinner and the team announcement each week.

Adam Bester

Big congratulations to Grace White on recently debuting for North Melbourne in the VFLW.

Grace started playing with North Hobart Junior Football Club in 2017 in the under 14’s. She played in two premiership teams in 2018 and 2019. In 2019 she represented Tasmania in the u15SSA carnival. Grace missed seasons in 2020 and 2021 after rupturing her ACL. She returned in 2022 to play with the NHFC women’s team in the SFL. She was selected in the SFLW team of the year.

Grace is currently playing with the Tasmania Devils in the Coates Talent League.

Who is the strapping guy with Prince Charles in this photo. Email your answer to president@nhfc.net.au first correct answer gets a free lunch at the footy.

A great day to celebrate the ANZAC values and recognise those men and women who gave their lives to ensure our future.

The Plaister Stand is one of the most picturesque views in footy, if not the most!

Get a group of friends or colleagues together and join us on match days.

Great value packages available, and a different way to watch the footy.

https://www.trybooking.com/events/eventlist/eventListingURL?aid=5359

As recently advised on North Hobart Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/northhobartfc there will be an old player, supporters and friends’ lunch on Thursday, 18 May in the clubrooms from 12.30pm. The cost is $25/head and bar service will be available.

It is intended to have regular events throughout the year so it would be appreciated if you could email to gm@nhfc.net.au your contact details – your email address or mobile number. The next event will be in July – with a bit of luck there might be a couple of surprise visitors.
Please spread the word to others and for those who do not have access to email please encourage them to inform the club of a contact telephone number.

The Board appreciates that not all past players etc. are available on weekdays so we would encourage you to gather up a group of friends and come to our home games. We have several rooms/boxes available in the Plaister Stand that can accommodate from 6 – 14 people and can cater with food and refreshments.
If you wish to enquire, please email gm@nhfc.net.au

There are home game lunches in the main function space of the Plaister Stand (Hisense Room) and individual/ group bookings can be made by accessing the booking link which released on NHFC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/northhobartfc in the one or two-weeks preceding home games.

Our next home game lunch will be the annual NHFC Ladies Day event, scheduled for 12.30pm on Saturday 27 May 2023, coinciding with our home game against the Launceston Football Club. Bookings will be available at our event listing site –
https://www.trybooking.com/events/eventlist/eventListingURL?aid=5359 – get in early – this is always a very popular event!

I will be away for the next two months and if you have any queries, please contact one of the following people:
Old players lunches etc – Shane Arnol 0418127077 or Peter Crosswell 0458666629
Game day lunches – Peter Fisher 0417376715
General queries – Dave Kilpatrick 0429477149 or Rick Tipping 0400246597

Go the Dees!

Paul Curtain
General Manager

At North Hobart we have a wonderful team of more than 50 volunteers who help to get our men’s and women’s teams on the park every week.

We’d love you to join our happy family this year.

There are roles available in all areas of the club.

Some of the following roles are specific to game days and would suit people who have spare time on the weekend.

You can contribute to other roles from home and during the week – whenever you have spare free time.

For more information email our Volunteers Coordinator, Chris Smith (csmith21@live.com).

We are currently seeking expressions of interest for Game Day Team Managers for our Women’s Footy Program.
If you’re passionate about supporting women through sport this is a great role.
For more information and a role description please contact Rick Tipping (Ph. 0400 246 597 or Email: ricktipping01@gmail.com)

North Hobart Junior Football Club Auskick is buzzing on Friday nights with over 40 Auskickers showing their stuff under the lights of North Hobart Oval.

Auskick leader (and Senior Women’s Assistant Coach) Laura Negri leads the program and is supported by NHFC senior men and women players.

It is great to see the future stars of junior and senior teams having a wonderful time impressing the senior players with their skills and enthusiasm. The bucket of chips and fruit box for each player at the end of the night was well deserved!

Enjoy your Good Friday lunch at the footy and get the best views of the game.

Members and Guests are most welcome – tickets at $35 p.p. for this special lunch, catered by NHFC partner, Wattlebanks.
Refreshments available at the bar.

Tickets online at https://www.trybooking.com/CHILM – don’t miss out.