After a good break last weekend Saturday we venture to Ringwood looking to keep our unbeaten record intact against the side that knocked us out of finals last year while the U19’s take on Park Orchards also at Jubilee Park. Juniors have their next family night at Kings Park this Sunday the 19th June after Yobbo Lotto the night before; contact the Juniors if you haven’t got your tickets yet. Sportsmans Night is coming up next Wednesday the 22nd June with current Hawks Paul Puopolo and Liam Shiels alongside Ex AFL legends Ken Sheldon and Warrick Capper at Kings Park; please check out the flyer attached for more information. Other functions coming up are the Full Moon Party on the 25th June, Ladies Race Day on the 9th July and the Ladies Night on the 16th July; contact the club for tickets. Terry Hopkins Lunch is also coming up on the 23rd July; more details out soon, but please put the date in your diary. The Vets are organising a get together function that all are welcome to attend on Saturday night the 18th June; contact Shagga or Jimmy Campbell for all the details. Best wishes to Life Member James Hume who is recovering well after a five way heart bypass a few days ago. Good to see Jesse Joyce son of Life Member and 1996 Reserves Premiership Player Daryl make his AFL debut for the Gold Coast Suns against Sydney a couple of weeks ago and then play against Richmond at the MCG last week. Well done to Rory Bailey (U17’s) who continued his form with a goal in the EFL Division 1 side win at Mitcham on Saturday and also Hunter Greenall (U15’s) who kicked 5 goals on Saturday and then 6 goals on Monday in the EFL U15 Division 2 side; good luck to both on the 25th June at Walker Park Mitcham when they play the Grand Finals against South Metro JFL. Don’t forget that Club Memberships are available as well as Player Sponsor opportunities which includes Club Membership. Neil Thompson is again running the King Club; refer below for further details and get on board this important coterie group of Upper Gully. Andy Neville is again in charge of the VIP area for this season; contact him on 0418 546 260 if you have a group that would like to watch the game from behind glass with Upper Gully Hospitality thrown in. Don’t forget to support our sponsors and especially our major sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota; contact club vice-president Dean Wilson on 0412 312 672 to help get you a great deal on your next Toyota purchase. Get down to the Royal Hotel between 5:30pm and 6:00pm on Thursday’s for the Meat Tray Raffle; special thanks to James Hume (Upper Gully Life Member) for running this raffle as well as Boococks Meats and the Royal for their support. Remember also that the Royal Hotel has a new Club Rewards System; so please sign up and get your card to be rewarded with a discount for yourself and help the club financially.Thanks to Sharon Bridle for stepping into the Treasurers role after the departure of Jane Nelson from this job, thanks Jane for your efforts. The Club has put out a new Calender for this season which is available at the club; thanks to Craig Bridle and Dwayne Stangherlin for their efforts as well as Bull as always for the printing. The club is now also on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/uftgfc/as well as aYou Tube site don’t forget to check out the website;http://www.uftgfc.sportingpulse.net for all the latest news and photos from around the club. Thank you to all our sponsors for 2016 and especially our Major Sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota and our Gold level sponsors LPS Waste Services, FTG Motor Group, Frawley Signs, Action Events and Mystique Printing. Anyone wanting to contribute to this newsletter please email uppergullynews@hotmail.com
Good Luck in 2016 Upper.....Go the Red and Blue!
Jesse Joyce AFL debut
There may have been less than 5,000 people in attendance with terrible weather conditions turning Metricon Stadium into an impromptu water park on Saturday night, but the Jesse Joyce fan club was out in force despite the torrential rain. The local Gold Coast product, making his AFL debut against the Sydney Swans in front of a large contingent of family and friends, received a large cheer when he ran onto the ground early in the first quarter and another soon after when he collected his first touch at the top level. The former SUNS Academy player finished the game with 10 disposals, two tackles and three inside 50s and didn’t look overawed by the occasion.
Scorpion Smith finds his sting
The Casey Scorpions lost a bit of their sting over the last two Peter Jackson VFL seasons, but senior coach Justin Plapp’s 2016 team is suddenly sitting second after 10 rounds. The extra attention being paid to the Scorpions is now also shining a light on some of the club’s well-performed VFL-listed players – players such as Tim Smith. At just 25 years of age, Smith is Casey’s oldest VFL-listed player and the club’s only current 50-gamer following the departures of veterans such as former captain Evan Panozza, Mitch Gent and Will Petropoulos over the off-season. He joined the Scorpions in 2012 from Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern Football League – where he was part of a senior premiership team as a 19-year-old – and promptly played 16 senior games in a year when Casey won the minor premiership. Smith has been with the club from the relative highs of 2012 through some leaner years more recently and says its AFL alignment with Melbourne has never been stronger. “That alignment is really a key to our success I reckon,” Smith said. “The systems put in place to have a real ‘one club’ mentality between Casey and Melbourne have advanced tenfold since 2012. “The guys at Melbourne are obviously invested and they want to succeed, and the guys at Casey are well experienced and want to win. Everyone wants to get to the same goal. “It’s also about just taking a general interest in what everyone’s doing around the club. So if guys get senior selection in the AFL, the Casey guys might send them a message or get in contact with them and congratulate them. We’re just trying to reach each other on a more personal level. “It’s definitely something Justin Plapp’s really worked hard on and all credit to him – he’s done a bloody good job because it’s working really well.” The success of the ‘one club’ mentality is now shining a light on the good form of players such James Munro, Angus Scott and Smith, who said his football was benefiting from the emergence of several Demons key forwards around him. 192cm Smith spent much of his previous four seasons at Casey as a tall forward target – kicking 56 goals in 52 games – but with Melbourne key-position draftees Sam Weideman and Liam Hulett as well as a fit-again Chris Dawes drawing the ball, his on-field role has changed. He’s now playing smaller than previously, as part of the VFL’s top-ranked forward line for goals and score assists per game, and the third-ranked team for goals scored per entry inside 50. With 12 goals from eight games, Smith might just be playing the best football of his career. “I’d say I am, yeah,” he said. “The biggest thing with VFL football is if you’re not consistent, there’s always pressure from guys playing in the Development League – especially at an aligned club. In past years my consistency has probably been up and down, whereas this year I’m able to play consistent footy week in week out. “Our forward line is quite tall and you can’t have five blokes jumping at the footy every game, so I’ve got a spot in there somewhere and maybe staying on the ground and putting on some tackle pressure is more my go. “I’d like to think I’m playing my role in the team and that’s contributing to us winning.” Off-field, Smith’s personal development over his time with the Scorpions has translated into a role as vice-captain under club skipper Jack Hutchins. “Being able to help the younger guys out as much as I can is something I pride myself on,” Smith said. “The leaders do a bit of mentoring around the club. We’ve got values that we instil and we try to drive to make the club as professional as can be. “It’s all about a team mentality and trying to work side by side with each other on and off the ground. That definitely makes it easier come game day to be able to perform to a high level.” Smith’s high-level performances saw him selected in the VFL team that lost to the SANFL by 19 points in the state game three weeks ago. He thinks he “didn’t do too bad” testing himself against the best, which is testament to how he’s flourished over his VFL journey. “I was always just thereabouts in junior footy; I wasn’t a stand-out,” Smith said. “I tried out for the TAC Cup but I’d just started my plumbing apprenticeship and working full-time. I just wasn’t committed to training or playing three nights a week at 17/18 years old so I went and played local footy at Upper Ferntree Gully. “(After winning the senior premiership,) my decision to go to Casey was all about: ‘How good could I actually be?’ I wanted to test myself against the best and I want to be the best that I can be – I didn’t want to regret not testing out how good I could’ve been.” While he may not have taken the usual path to high-level football, Tim Smith is now showing he can certainly mix it with the best the state has to offer.
Round Ten vs Ringwood at Jubilee Park
Head to Head
Seniors Upper Gully vs Ringwood
Upper Gully 4 Ringwood 13 Draw 1 (First Game in 1955)
Reserves Upper Gully vs Ringwood
Played 17 Games (First Game in 1955)
Last Time
Seniors Elimination Final 23rd August 2015 at 2:10pm vs Ringwood at Central Reserve Glen Waverley
Upper Ferntree Gully 5.0-30 6.4-40 9.4-58 12.7-79
Ringwood 4.3-27 9.6-60 13.9-87 17.11-113
Goal Kickers: R. Murray 4, J. Godfrey 2, B. Hards 2, J. Derksen, M. Petracca, M. Lee, T. Hickleton
Best Players: B. Hards, A. Tapscott, J. Whiteman, D. Grice, J. Begley, L. Gellie
Reserves First Semi Final 30th August 2015 at 11:55am vs Ringwood at Central Reserve Glen Waverley
Ringwood 1.2-8 1.3-9 2.4-16 5.8-38
Upper Ferntree Gully 2.3-15 3.6-24 6.9-45 7.11-53
Goal Kickers: J. Derksen 3, A. Ward 2, P. Caruso, T. Willis
Best Players: Z. Rogers, T. Heuston, A. Constantine, T. Willis, L. Roberts, J. Derksen
U19’s Round Ten vs Park Orchards at Jubilee Park
Head to Head
Under 19’s Upper Gully vs Park Orchards
Upper Gully 1 to Park Orchards 2 (First Game in 2015)
U19’s First Semi Final 30th August 2015 at 9:40am vs Park Orchards at East Burwood Reserve
Park Orchards 0.0 3.2-20 8.2-50 12.7-79
Upper Ferntree Gully 4.4-28 4.4-28 6.9-45 6.10-46
Goal Kickers: J. Saltum, D. Fuss, C. Wakefield, D. Claughton, J. Cawsey, P. Bullock
Best Players: C. Wakefield, T. Meagher, J. Begley, P. Bullock, F. Dodds, J. Saltum
Upper Gully Vets – Round Six vs The Basin at Kings Park
Next Game vs The Basin at Kings Park on Sunday the 26th June.
Netball – Season So Far
Blue Team – Despite the team as a whole never playing together they have come together well and each week are becoming a stronger and stronger team. After the first 6 rounds they are 3-2 and sitting on top of the ladder. In both losses they were still extremely competitive, only failing generally in the 2nd half of the game. Emily and Amy are leading goal scorers with Tarryn and Brooke proving to be a strong defensive duo. Emily is actually leading the goal scoring for Div 5 at the moment so keep up the good work. The rest of the team has been rotating through the mid court and all provide the vital transition of ball from end to end. As an outlook for the remainder of the season the team are looking strong and hoping to be a top contender when finals arrive. Award goes to Tarryn for being coach and team manager and making sure the team are organised and ready to take the court every week.
Red Team – After a disappointing first season and the arrival of some new players, Red Team was ready to start fresh. They have a great depth of talent this year and all players are very versatile. At the end of round 6 they are 4-1 (with a bye as well) and in a tough competition are sitting 3rd which is a huge improvement from last year. Kristy and Caz are leading goal scorers with Lisa, Tayla and Georgia mixing up the defence making it hard for opposition teams to score. And with their great mid court strength every week they will continue to get wins on the board. Award goes to Sam for helping out whenever needed, bringing supporters and or scorers to each game and supporting Blue Team pre/post her own game.
Thanks to H2H Spray Tanning Studio in FTG for Sponsoring the Netball Awards
Netball Round Eight – Friday 17th June
Division 4 OXLEY COLLEGE, Old Melbourne Road, Chirnside Park
COURT 3 7:15pm Upper Ferntree Gully Red vs Ringwood Black
Division 5 OXLEY COLLEGE, Old Melbourne Road, Chirnside Park
COURT 1 7:15pm Upper Ferntree Gully Blue vs Ferntree Gully White
In association with the EFL FRIDAY NIGHT NETBALL COMPETITION UFTG Seniors Football Club are fielding 2 x LADIES TEAMS for 2016. If you are interested & would like to join as a player or support/coaching role, please forward your expression of interest to: uftg-netball@hotmail.com Registration Fees $55 for 16 to 18 years of age $65 for 18 years and over. Registration fee covers club membership, court fee, umpire fee, entry fee and insurance. UFTG Club netball dress costs $65 GO UPPER!
U12 GIRLS FOOTY 2016
Round Nine 19th June vs Knox at Wally Tew Reserve 10:55am
Training will continue on Thursday Nights between 5:45 and 6:45 so any girls or parents interested please come down. As well we are looking for support staff to assist during season, If you are interested & would like to join as a player or in a support/coaching role, please forward your expression of interest to: uftg-girlsladies@hotmail.com
Junior Club News
YOBBO LOTTO coming up Sat 18th June @ Kings Park Club Rooms, $20 per person book a table of your friends, Over 18's Event.
Family Night Sunday 19th June at Kings Park
Round Ten Fixture
Good luck to all the Junior sides Sunday for Round 10. Times and Venues are as listed on EFL Website under Fixtures.
U17A vs Heathmont Blue14:30 at Heatherdale Reserve
U17D vs Mitcham14:30 at Walker Park
U15C vs Glen Waverley Rovers 14:30 at Dobson Park
U14B vs South Croydon 12:30 at Eastfield Park
U13C vs South Croydon 12:30 at Dobson Park
U12C vs Glen Waverley Hawks 10:55 at Central Reserve
U11B vs East Burwood 10:55 at Dobson Park
U10D vs Croydon Blue 9:30 at Dobson Park
U9C vs Wantirna South 9:30 at Templeton Reserve
U8 vs Vermont Eagles 11:30 at Lewis Park
Upper Gully Buddy System
This year we have rolled out our buddy system between our Under 17's and senior players, this program has been established to continue to improve the transition from junior to senior footy at Upper Gully. The program consists of our senior players presenting their buddy with their jumper for the season at a jumper presentation night held before the season following that the seniors will be attending at least 2 of the boys’ games throughout the year and also our senior buddies will be present for one of the junior family nights. Outside of this the buddies can communicate with each other as mentors and provide advice for the boys to aid in their development on and off the field. The program will no doubt evolve over the year paving the way for years to come.
Lifeworks Counselling Service
The Club has formed a new partnership with LifeWorks Relationship Counselling & Education Services to provide counselling to any players from the club requiring assistance for any issues they may have; this is a free and confidential counselling service and will provide great assistance for Robyn Lawson our Club Wellbeing Officer.
Upper Gully Past Players Group
Great day was had by all Past Players who turned up the other week including a couple of Premiership coaches in attendance. The club would like to see as many former players at all matches during the season showing their support for the current players. The club is very keen to start up a formal past players group at Upper Gully to allow for gatherings and functions to help support the club. Last season saw plenty of familiar faces with past players and officials at the THF Lunch all enjoying being able to catch with current and past friends and teammates in a social atmosphere. If you are interested in being involved in the past players group please let us know so we can organise dates for functions and numbers. Please contact Casey de Groot on 0419 377 588 or Andy Lee on 0419 539 863 for further details.
Mascot/Baby Jumpers
We have Mascot/Baby Jumpers available for order, short sleeve or long sleeve. From sizes 0 and Upwards. Also can order with number on the Back of Jumper. Prices are $65 for short sleeve and $70 for long sleeve. We need to place order with at least 10 jumpers so if you are interested please email uftg-orders@hotmail.comor contact Tom Caruso on 0406 102 549 with your order details.
Player Sponsors
ALL PLAYERS ARE THIS YEAR AVAILABLE TO BE SPONSORED. Sponsor your favorite player and help the club along the way. Cost is $125 Inc. GST. What the sponsor gets is a Club Membership Card, Name on the player’s photo in the club rooms and during the Round 13 home game the sponsor is invited to the VIP area for some complimentary drinks and food and will go into the raffle of all players’ sponsors. 1st Prize is $250, 2nd Prize is $120 and 3rd Prize is $75.
Contact your favorite player or the club if interested.
2016 Membership
Don't be a Supporter Become a Member; support your club and get Free entry to Home Games as well as access to the Social Club and Voting Rights. Contact Andy Lee on 0419 539 863 for further details.
King Club 2016
The King Club will once again be back this season with Neil Thompson in charge. Last year saw a new initiative in the King Club Flyer Trophy where members cast votes (3, 2, and 1) on the player they think had the greatest impact in the first half of the game and had gotten the team off to a flying start. Well done to Jarrod Whiteman who took out the award for the 2015 season. The King Club is a support group for the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club and provides valuable funds for the Football Club. For 2016 members of the King Club have access to the rooms during the senior game half time were they receive food and drinks complimentary during the break; there are also raffles to raise further money with joker poker featured. You become a club member and have free entry into home games and also received a King Club Polo or other Merchandise. There is also a social event during the season. Neil Thompson can be contacted for further Details at neilt101@hotmail.com mobile: 0400 921 357.
Silver Membership – Cost of $300.
· Club Membership - $50
· Jacket - $50
· Entry to half time (drinks and food) - $200
· End of year function with partner (lunch and drinks) - $100
Value - $400
Gold Membership - $500.
· All of Silver benefits -$410
· Attendance at MCG Corporate Box for one match with full catering - $500
Value - $900
The Modern Game
Upper Gully Football Club has yet again employed the services of Craig Winter from ‘The Modern Game’. 2016 will be the 7th year that Craig or as he is commonly known as Crackers will be involved with this club. We would be one of the very few football clubs that would have this level of commitment to supporting the coaches. ‘The Modern Game’ provides a Coaches Development program to support junior coaches and the players in their football journey. ‘The Modern Game’ philosophy and mission is to educate coaches, via their robust coaching framework, that junior football is not all about scoreboard results, it is about teaching, developing and improving the children with their sporting skills and their general life skills. If the focus is on these areas, the ‘results’ elements will look after themselves. Craig will again hold Coaching workshops which our coaches will attend, every coach will be provided coaching resources to assist in areas such as planning training sessions and other relevant tools, he will also be available to assist in training sessions. He will also observe our coaches on game day and provide verbal and written feedback on areas that were well handled and areas where they can in improve in their coaching performance. We would be one of the only EFL clubs that would go that level in assisting and improving our Junior Coaches.
The Modern Game is again looking forward to supporting the club, and specifically the coaches, to further develop their skill and knowledge and enhance their coaching journey. After consultation with all parties, we agree that the current format of the program provides the outcomes the club is looking for and hence we will continue to provide the following: Structure and support to facilitate coaching interviews, 4 x Pre-season coaching workshops, Age Specific Coaching Folders provided to each Coach, 1:1 Mentoring/Tuition for individual coaches, Regular visits and practical support at training sessions, Game Day observations & feedback, Additional support with club requirements (ie. Policies, etc.)
Once again the focus of the program and partnership will be to ensure external and ongoing support is provided to each coach as often as needed. While many of the coaches are at different stages of their journey, past years’ suggest they all benefit from: Tips to prepare & improve your training session, Young player development, Age specific training programs, Player Assessments to track improvement, Skill acquisition and remediation advice, Skills to coach resilience & manage expectation.
Upper Gully Football Club History
Andy Lee has added to the website under the History tab a complete table of head to head results against all sides that the seniors have played since 1949. Andy also has been compiling a list of all players to have played for Upper Gully and has now added to the website a list of players from 1949-1959 who have played for Upper Gully; any details on these players would be appreciated. Still looking for Upper Gully Membership Cards from 1969, 1970 and 1971 as well as 1951; also after any EFL records from the 1960’s, 1970’s or 1980’s, if anyone can help please contact Andy Lee on 0419 539 863. Please check the Club History Page on the club website as well as the Battler page. If anyone is interested in providing anecdotes about the club or their own football career or any amendments or additions to the club history on the website; please contact Andy Lee at alene.lee@ozemail.com.au
Sponsors News
Thank you to all our SPONSORS for 2016, especially our Major Sponsor Ferntree Gully Toyota and our Gold Sponsors Action Events, Frawley Signs, Mystique Printing and LPS Waste Services. We also welcome on board the FTG Motoring Group as a significant sponsor. More news about this sponsorship later but part of the deal is for our new Away Clash Jumpers that the club will wear three times during the season including last weeks practice match. Don’t forget to contact Norm Reynolds for all your used car and servicing requirements. The club has signed up Johnny Boys Pizza’s in Upper Gully as a new sponsor. Last season the club welcomed on board Trident Leasing Australia as a new sponsor, contact Peter Nicholls on 1300 883 718 for all your funding needs, also iTrak Real Estate are on board sponsoring Upper Gully shorts, for any real estate requirements contact David on 0411 655 611. Anytime Fitness Ferntree Gully is now a sponsor of the Club and has agreed to a special rate for Players and Members of UFTGFC at $12 / week for 18 Month contract. In addition Jason Wood – Federal Liberal Member for Latrobe and Ray White Real Estate came on as Sponsor’s in 2015. Please use them and mention you are from the club so they continue their support to us. Their details can be found on the website. Also if anyone who knows of potential sponsors please contact Peter Hards, who will follow up with you.
Social Media
Theclub is on TWITTER; ClickHere Currently 493 followers and growing; also the club is on FACEBOOK currently with over 369 subscribers. Search for and Subscribe to the UpperferntreeGully OfficalSite FootballClub. The club has created a new Team App for IPhone and Android Phone users for all the news and events happening around the club. All you need to do is download the Team App fromhttp://teamapp.com/appand search for UFTGFC to install on your phone. And now we are on Instagram as well; https://www.instagram.com/uftgfc/with already 102 followers.
The club is compiling a database of email address so that we are able to communicate to as many people as possible the latest news and events happening around the club more efficiently. With this in mind could you please forward the email address of any Upper Gully people you may know touppergullynews@hotmail.com
UFTG Football Club Committee 2016
Last Modified on 23/06/2016 16:31