Warrandyte president Peter Hookey spoke to EFL.org.au ahead of the Bloods’ 2017 campaign…
2017 Leaders
Club President – Peter Hookey
Senior Coach – Pete Muscat
Captain – To be advised
What is the club’s ethos/focus in season 2017?
Focus on improving and developing local talent, supporting all players.
The senior coach, staff and players have developed a club mantra which is designed around a triangle. The base being respect and unity and the sides excellence. This mantra revolves around the premise of a community club.
This mantra will be utilised at all times to ensure that the Warrandyte Football Club continues to provide a place where all players are supported and encouraged to be their best.
What has the pre-season been like so far for the club? Is there any group that has really impressed (younger players, veterans, new recruits, etc.)?
Pre-season has been fantastic and well-attended, all players have stepped up, particularly our second-year players.
We have been training on an alternative oval due to cricket club commitments and the players have recently attended a pre-season boot camp.
Our younger local players continue to impress and their work ethic is exceptional.
New recruits have fitted in well and we have welcomed back players from the successful 2015 reserves side who took last year off to travel.
Off the field has there been any changes to the structure of the club? And how are you situated heading into the 2017 season?
Off-field has seen a huge improvement in stability from 2016.
We welcome Stephen Dunn as vice president and Steve Rowarth has stepped up as football manager.
Last year’s committee remains unaltered and this stability alone is very pleasing.
Jackie Austin has been installed as sponsorship manager and has been a huge benefit to the club.
The acquisition of new platinum sponsors Madisons Lawyers and Fletchers Real Estate have been added to other major sponsors The Grand Hotel and Gateway Concrete Pumping.
If you could take one thing you learnt from the 2016 season to improve this year, what would it be?
Plan and make sure you have the right people in the right jobs and give them the tools and support to exceed. Delegate responsibility as it is impossible to do everything. Learn from mistakes and move on.
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?
Last year’s under-19s and second-year players are thriving.
Warrandyte players in general go under the radar and we have had many, many players in recent times that have been match-winners and hardly receive a mention.
We look forward to seeing the impact that the juniors from 2016 will bring as they step up to senior football.
Where does the club see itself in three years’ time?
A solid Division 3 club, financially viable and looking towards a premiership.
We would hope to retain all our young players as a group and continue to develop them (and) to be a destination club for other players in neighbouring areas.
Warrandyte kicks off its 2017 season on Saturday, 8th April, when it takes on Chirnside Park at Kimberley Reserve.
