Dear Members,

As ever this year has produced ups and downs for our teams but fortunately far more ups than downs!

JUNIOR SECTION:

The Committee would like to thank all the players and parents who participated.

However, we would especially like to thank all the coaches who put in massive amounts of time, hard work and effort!

Our Home Days were especially successful raising record amounts of money. We would like to thank all the parents who contributed to the baking stall and those who volunteered their time and effort to making the Home Days possible.

We also need to give especial thanks to our sponsors – without whom the Club could not function:

• COLLIERS (main sponsor)
• FOWLER HOMES
• CLASSIC BUILDERS
• MACKENZIE COFFEE

We cannot forget to mention, our FSDL Under 15 team this year. This is the first time ever that Football South have had such a league. It was a baptism of fire for our boys with other clubs having far more players to choose from but our boys got better and better as the season wore on and represented us admirably.

Special mention must be made of the head coach Steve Henderson (who has been a fine player and then fine coach to our club for over twenty five years) who put in many hours of excellent coaching to the boys

Steve was ably assisted by Jake Neeves.

We are working closely with Football South to further improve the experience next season.

A couple of reminders:

Futsal starts on 7th & 8th August. Full details are at this link.

Junior Prizegiving: Wed 27th July. Full details are at this link.

Club Fundraising (BIG Prize!)– remember to buy your tickets to be in with a chance to win a trip to Qatar 2022!
Full details are at this link.

Finally BEST WISHES to all teams taking part in upcoming tournaments.

SENIOR SEASON:

Again some ups and downs but again more up than down!

LADIES SENIORS:

For the first time ever this year we had two teams of ladies competing in Football South tournaments.

Many or the committee were very doubtful that this would be possible, but, due to the tenacity and work ethic of Head Ladies Coach Mark Ford it became possible.

It was difficult at times (one week he only had 24 players for two teams) but due to Mark’s tenacity and the tenacity of all the ladies both teams were very successful.

Many thanks to Mark, Holly (reserve team coach) and all the ladies for making the Club very proud.

MENS SENIORS:

In the Mens Seniors we only had one team this year.

We normally have two teams but so many people and football players left Queenstown due to covid that we only had 18 players including 6 who were under 18 years old.

Nonetheless Jamie got the team into good shape and the team performed well in the Football South Premier League.

The Club’s biggest disappointment this year is that Jamie Whitmarsh advised us that he would not be continuing as Mens Head Coach any longer.

The main reason is very understandable – every other Saturday travelling to Dunedin for games is very wearing.

Those match days take 12 hours each for Jamie between picking up and dropping off vehicles, travel, lunch, dinner, match and after match.

We are very sorry to lose Jamie from this role and his contribution to the Mens team has been immense. On a positive note we are delighted that, on Jamie’s recommendation, to have recruited Danniel Bocatios to fill this role next year.

As ever we offer many thanks to our sponsors:

• DCD BUILDERS
• QUBE (Construction Cost Managers)
• BELLA CASA TILING
• DOMINATOR GARAGE DOORS
• JOE’S GARAGE

As always special mention must go to Carly Blackbourn who we rely on to keep the Club functioning. She does this with great expertise and her resilience and commitment to the Club is something that we are very grateful for. Thank you very much.

We are also delighted that we have some new Committee members for next season, Adam Feeley, Jessica Seymour, and Carmel Sealey. Many thanks for volunteering and if there is anyone else who would like to join, please let me or Carly know and we can talk to you about what is involved.

Finally thank you all for your ongoing support of QAFC and please do get back to me if you have any feedback or suggestions on how we might improve the QAFC experience for everyone.

Phil Ingham

Club President