Ferntree Gully secretary John Evans spoke to EFL.org.au ahead of the Eagles’ 2017 campaign…
2017 Leaders
President – Sam Cavarra
Senior Coach – Peter Farrell
Senior Captain – To be advised
What is the club’s ethos/focus in season 2017?
The Ferntree Gully Football Club continues to seek to improve both on and off field each year.
In 2017, our focus is to continue to develop stronger links with our junior football section, continue to enhance our relationship with our co-tenants (and) continue to develop stronger links with our stakeholders at all levels – both internal and external. (We) have engaged SALT (sport and lift training) for further club improvement.
Together with our co-tenants, focus on facility improvement, (and) commit to club motto and strategic approach – proud, professional, inclusive, united. (The club motto) is underpinned by our values – respect, excellence, discipline, engagement, responsibility.
What has the pre-season been like so far for the club? Is there any group that have really impressed (younger players, veterans, new recruits, etc.)?
Large numbers at training with great support from the younger players, that will give us a new young leadership group.
Off the field has there been any changes to the structure of the club? And how are you situated heading into the 2017 season?
In addition to traditonal club positions such as secretary (John Evans) and treasurer (Rebecca Siewert), the Ferntree Gully Football Club has appointed three vice presidents to oversee key aspects of club focus: sponsorship – Lee Thompson, football operations – Gary Bass and facilities – Patrick Hines.
We have also created a new role, director of coaching, which will provide support and mentoring to all coaches across the Ferntree Gully football brand – both Junior and senior sections).
We also aim to further entrench our club chaplain in all aspects of the club – whose role has expanded to our co-tenants – thereby having chaplaincy presence and access at our facility, 12 months of the year.
If you could take one thing you learnt from the 2016 season to improve this year, what would it be?
To put a lot more pace into our senior team.
Who are the players who you think will have a break-out season, who may have gone under the radar in the past as far the being known across the EFL community?
Alex Barton Smith trained at Box Hill, Jake Farrell has put on eight kilos, and Jimmy Bowen.
Where does the club see itself in three years’ time?
The Ferntree Gully football brand continues to aim to be a club of choice particularly for families and children in our local community.
It aims to build on its strong inclusive base including girls and all abilities football categories. The club aims to build a strong off-field base in order to provide strong support to its football operations arm.
It also aims to provide support to all players and their families by instituting regular educational sessions that are related to outside of football events/issues.
We also wish to expand our community responsibilities by enhancing our relationship with our charity of choice; Chicks for Charity, and with our local Boronia RSL.
Finally, who in your Division do you feel is the greatest threat to your chances of success in 2017 and why?
Boronia due to their youth.
Ferntree Gully celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2017, and kicks off its season on Saturday, 8th of April, when they host Boronia at Ferntree Gully Reserve.
