Hi everyone and thanks to those who commented on our last newsletter. Thanks too to Maria Vidal for the design and layout of Issue 1 and to Dan Warby for Issue 2.
A lot has been happening since the last issue. Our grading committee has been working hard and now all teams are full. We’ve also reached a milestone in that for the first time we have nearly everyone paid up! This is with increased bureaucratic measure, more forms to fill in, earlier deadlines. We also had the amazing float in the Mardi Gras and a good night was had by all, see Anna’s report. Thanks to Phil and Garde Pty for the use of the ute and generator.
We haven’t yet had any volunteers for player profiles so you’re stuck with the committee. The committee are spread out amongst all the teams and are always happy to discuss any areas of concern you have and you’ll see on their profiles which team they are in.
Again anything you want to see in the newsletter, any social events, articles of interest, items for sale, we can incorporate it all.
As we approach the 2007 Winter Season, good luck to everyone and while a lot of the time our games clash, if you do get a chance to go to another Bats game, do go and cheer each other on.
Tina
Vice President & Editor
As reported in the last edition, we had 4 teams playing in the summer soccer competition. Everyone did well and things got very exciting in Division 4 when both teams got to the semi finals. The Old Bats who had lost several players due to illness and injury struggled to the semi with 4 players. With 3 lots of extra time, they finally scored, taking them into the final, which again went to 3 lots of extra time and got down to 4 against 4. Again we finally scored and won the final amid great tension and excitement.
On Saturday 3rd March 2007 after months of planning, The Flying Bats women’s soccer team took part in the Mardi Gras 2007 parade. Marching as one of the only entirely lesbian community group entries, the club couldn’t be missed marching behind a giant Bat mobile wearing rainbow socks and sparkly red bat wings.
The parade entry called I LOVE SOCCER saw 50 women including club members, partners and friends ‘fly’ up Oxford Street to Banarama and Ricky Martin. The addition of two giant soccer balls funded by a new Mardi Gras grant helped its parade entry to stand out from the crowd. Anna Flynn, parade organiser said “The day was so momentous for me and everyone involved. After our nerves subsided we all really got into it and it was such a feeling of pride and club bonding to be marching as The Flying Bats. It was also great to see past and present members along the way cheering us on.” The Sydney Star Observer described the Flying Bats entry as ‘a crowd favourite’.
Check out the Association website www.nwsws.com.au for all the up to date news, most of the relevant documents are under the ‘library’ section. Our club delegate (and registrar) Alex Clark attends monthly meetings and can answer any questions.
After feedback received last year, the committee implemented a formal grading process this year. Our aim is to have a fair and transparent system that will allow all our teams to compete to a high level in their division. A grading committee was formed made up of representatives from each of last year's teams. This grading committee of George, Sandra, Helena, Angie and Maryann have been working hard throughout the pre-season to grade all players and nominate the teams. We now have four strong teams ready to take the field on Sunday. Being the first time we've done this, we've learned a lot along the way and are open to any feedback people have about the process so that it can be further improved next season.
Each team has a manager and the role of the manager is to get the team on the field, ensure that match sheets are completed, and to liaise with the team and committee. All managers this year are players so please do help them out by letting them know if you can or can’t play each week. The team managers for this season are:
Julie
has been with the club for 8 years and has been on the committee for 6 of those
years as both President & Vice President. She works as
an Effluent Treatment Plant Technical Manager and her hobbies include scuba
diving, painting photography and of course 80s music! Julie is playing in Division
2.
Tina is a veteran in the Bats, this is her 14th season with the club and her
second year on the committee. Tina is from Dublin and works as a project officer
at the Office for Women. Hobbies include cooking (especially on weekends away)
stories (especially on weekends away) and weekends away! Tina is playing
in Division 7.
Maryann has been with the club for 3 years and is originally from Brisbane.
Last year she coached Division 9 to the finals. She loves camping and fishing
and is a Palm’s groupie. Maryann is playing in Division 5.
Fiona is also from Ireland and is well known for her love of partying, vino,
and sporting events. Fiona has been with the Bats for 5 years. Fiona is playing
in Division 2.
Anna
has been playing with the club for 4 years. Originally from Leeds
in England, Anna is a long suffering Leeds United fan. By profession Anna is
a PR consultant and is currently finishing a Masters in Communication Management.
Anna’s greatest and proudest moment was dancing up Oxford Street
to Banarama with 40 other Flying Bats in sparkly bat wings and rainbow
socks for the 2007 Mardi Gras parade. Anna is playing in Division 5.
This is George’s 3rd year with the Bats. George is also our Webmistress
and has been on the grading committee. George works as a software architect
and loves boogie boarding. George is playing in Division 2.
This is Alex’s second year with the club and her first year taking on
the daunting task of Registrar. Legs is a sales rep who sells spectacle frames
and loves singing and dancing. Alex plays for Division 7.