It has been a while since the last update – it has been a busy period for the Reds Foundation in the last month or so.
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Third Annual Reds Foundation Dinner
A most successful and somewhat flamboyant Third Annual Dinner was held on Friday April 24th at the Pumphouse – a 50% increase in attendance from previous years and around 60 attendees from a wide spectrum of eras and sections of the Red Roy family. Amid the sounds of well known Mediterranean tunes such as Zorba and That’s Amore, the Rediterraneans All Stars team was announced, with triple premiership midfielder and premiership captain, Paul ‘Dacca’ Diacogiorgis announced as captain of the team. Dacca, along with coach Graham Burgen and back pocket Emile ‘Chucka’ Kyriacou were present to receive their awards. The full team is attached, and contrary to earlier fears, there were sufficient candidates for a solid backline. The forward line would go close to a Reds All Stars team, with Tornese, Cianci and Triandos filling the coveted full forward line. Prominent MediteRoynean Laurie ‘Que Sera Sera’ Serafini was in fine form, joining with his brother Carlo for a room-emptying rendition of ‘That’s Amore’.
There evening also celebrated the Reds career of life member, Melissa ‘Lady in Red’ Evans, with tributes flowing throughout the night from luminaries such as Mark Frisby, Paul White (via text message!), Greg Cook, Peter Hille and Steve Drury, much to the amusement of Mel’s long time (non-Reds related) friends, Bridget Nagle and Lisa Chambers, who attended the dinner It was announced that in recognition of Melissa’s extraordinary service of Secretary, Pastoral Carer, Socialite, Red Coat, Door Bitch, VAFA Delegate, Trainer & Strapper, Canteen Commandant and Time Keeper, Melissa will be admitted to the Reds Hall of Fame in 2009. This will be awarded at the Redlow in October. Peter Hille then led a madcap performance of ‘She Walked Right In’ (to the tune of Walk Right In)…..
She walked right in, flicked back her hair, Melissa made the Reds her club
She walked right in, gave us that stare, started giving Reds the rub
In every off-field action she provided satisfaction
Strapping legs or selling tix for grub
She walked right in, flicked back her hair
Melissa made the Reds her club
The formal part of the evening was concluded with the obligatory and stirring ‘Playin for the Reds’ (to the tune Workin’ for the Man). The auction was somewhat violently conducted by local land rat Steve Earl, who was so convinced of his rhetoric, he bought the Bernie Quinlan signed Big V jumper for himself (donated by the FFC) and then generously donated it back. Thanks also to the Pumphouse, Kent Hotel and Curve Bar at the Arts Centre for donating vouchers for raffle prizes.
It was suggested that next year’s theme could be a Reds Media All Stars (Redia All Stars?). Stay tuned.
RF Membership and Player Sponsors
The Reds Foundation has facilitated almost 20 player sponsorships in 2009 through its membership program, thanks largely to the efforts of Peter Hille, Large-RF-Membership-Officer-at-Large. This translates into around $8000 in player sponsorships alone. While membership takings are up on previous years, membership numbers are a little down, so we are keen for as many to join as possible. Many options are available to join the fray and participate in the cause. The RF has supported the club financially and in many other ways over its three year existence. It has also facilitated the recording of the club’s history and premiership reunions.
I encourage you to join – membership form attached and via the website, while still a work in progress, is beginning to take shape. http://redsfoundation.org/membership
The RF is currently negotiating its club sponsorship arrangements for 2009.
Reds Foundation - Rotary Club of Fitzroy
The Reds Foundation and Rotary Club of Fitzroy held a dinner meeting on Monday May 18th, with some 62 people attending the dinner whereat six Red Roy U19 players received Rotary Sports Scholarships. Many RF Player Sponsors and Sponsored Players were in attendance and were also acknowledged individually at the dinner. Many parents were also in attendance. This will become an annual event and it is a great opportunity for the RF to partner with the Rotary Club in furthering the Fitzroy community cause.
District Amateur Network
The VAFA competition at the top end currently has few District Clubs and historically District Clubs have struggled, with some notable exceptions (eg Ormond), in staying at the top level for long. The Reds Foundation believes that a District Amateurs Network (DAN) will assist in addressing the challenges faced by District Clubs within the VAFA. The VAFA leadership agrees with this viewpoint.
The idea of the DAN is to share challenges and strategies for success; to seek common ground and mutual advantage; to create leverage and strengthen resources. It is acknowledged that District clubs are in competition with each other as well. In that regard, it is further acknowledged that clubs will determine how much they share or withhold within the DAN. Nevertheless, it is considered that the benefits of working together off-field are not incompatible with our competitiveness on-field.
The DAN will be launched with the first workshop to be facilitated by the Reds Foundation to be held at Elsternwick Park on Wednesday June 10 at 6pm. All twenty eight District Clubs in the VAFA have been invited to send two representatives to the inaugural meeting. Fitzroy Football Club was the inaugural RSVP!
Annual Reds Foundation Luncheon 2009
The Annual Reds Foundation Luncheon will be held prior to the Round 8 clash with second placed Werribee on Saturday June 13th. More than half of the tables have already been filled and all President’s luncheons have sold out this season. This lunch promises to be a good one. At the time of going to press, our planned speaker is unable to confirm his attendance, but will be able to do so this week. The theme of the luncheon is Reds Foundation and the benefits of membership. A larger contingent of Rediterraneans are also expected to attend the lunch, so an All Stars reprise is not out of the question….
We are also fortunate this year to have Under 19 star Antony Harbor’s father provide wine tasting this year from McIvor Estate.
Details of the luncheon and how you can pay are here http://redsfoundation.org/luncheon09. The cost is $35 for non-members and $15 for RF members, which includes a two course lunch and wine tasting. A cash bar will also be operating. Please RSVP to myself on c.tehan@redsfoundation.org or Peter Hille on phille@iprimus.com.au by Thursday June 11th.
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I will provide an update before the luncheon to confirm the speaker.
The Red Roys find themselves 4-3 and fourth on the ladder after seven rounds. A longer wrap of the season so far and VAFA roundup will be provided in the next update shortly.
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