by Sam Gowers
The Dunolly Football Netball Club’s future is at the crossroads, with theEagles desperate for volunteers andcommunity support in order to stay afloat.
The club’s cry for help comes after Eagles president, Callum Liddicoat, stepped down from the role on Tuesday evening. Liddicoat, who has helped to steer the club through some trying times during his four-year tenure, said he can no longer fully commit to the role due to increasing work, study and family commitments. “I resigned due to numerous reasons,work, study and the demands of running a business now prevent me from fulfilling the role in 2016,” Liddicoat said in a letter to Eagles’ members. “I have not been able to commit to the level that the club requires, and be the leader the club deserves. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together on behalf of the Dunolly FNC, and hopefully my resignation will open up the opportunity for another club member to take over, and move the club in a positive direction. “On a personal note, it has been a privilege to be a part of the committee, but in this instance, my priorities to my family and my career must come first. “This has been a very difficult and heart-breaking decision.”In addition to its off-field issues, the Eagles have also been bereft of on-field success in recent years, finishing at the bottom of the MCDFNL ladder for the past two seasons, which have yielded just two victories.
The club has not appeared in a senior football finals series since it contested the 2009 MCDFNL grand final under then coach James McNamee. In a positive move for the club this year, the Eagles appointed former Campbells Creek and Harcourt ruckman, Adam Pollock as its coach this year, but are also struggling to find a full playing list to take the field. MCDFNL operations manager, Jake Dunne, urged the Dunolly community to get behind the club. “I am calling on anyone in the Dunolly, Bendigo and Maryborough communities to assist — particularly past players and members of the club,” Dunne said. “The club will be 150 in seven years’ time, and with that in mind, we want to ensure that the club is around to celebrate such a significant milestone.
“The club provides a great social environment for the Dunolly community.” Dunne also paid tribute to Liddicoat’s work to keep the Eagles afloat over the past four years. “Callum has been a great leader for the club, however, they need someone to guide them through an extremely important period in the club’s history,” he said.
The Eagles will hold a community meeting at Deledio Reserve at 6.30 pm, March 22, in order to to appoint a new president.
Credit: The Maryborough Advertiser
Last Modified on 11/03/2016 15:10