OIGFC Newsletter

February 1, 2024

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** OIGFC Newsletter #2
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** Healthy, Inclusive, Supportive, Community Focused
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** Welcome
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As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace 2024, I extend a warm welcome to all our supporters. Happy New Year to each one of you, and here’s to the exciting journey that awaits us in 2024!
Reflecting on the achievements of the past year, we take immense pride in our club’s triumphs – not only did we secure three premierships, but we also rose to the challenge and gained promotion from Premier C to Premier B. Such accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and passion that each member and supporter brings to the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club. They are also testament to our generous sponsors, particularly our major sponsors Floridia Cheese and Terminus Hotel, North Fitzroy.
Our commitment to excellence is further underscored by the robust recruitment efforts that have strengthened our squad. We were thrilled to announce at the end of 2023 the addition of former Western Bulldogs player Toby McLean to our ranks. Toby’s experience and skills will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success on the field. Toby is also fulfilling a valuable role assisting with the coaching of the boys’ 1^st XVIII at Ivanhoe Grammar School which should not only benefit the schoolboys but also the long-term recruiting for our club.
Equally exciting is the fact that we’ve been able to retain much of our playing list. The unity and connection within our playing group remains unwavering, setting the stage for another remarkable season ahead.
As we embark on the challenge of Premier B, we also hope to re-instate our Mens’ Senior Thirds team and our Womens’ team. Fingers crossed we can find the requisite number of playing members to allow these two additional teams to take the field. May the coming season be filled with unforgettable moments, shared triumphs, and the joy of playing and watching the game we love.

Training Resumes

As we eagerly anticipate the commencement of the 2024 season, I am thrilled to announce that our training sessions will kick off on Thursday, February 1st, at Chelsworth Park. This marks the beginning of the next step in our journey towards Premier finals, and we invite you to be a part of it!
Training Schedule:
* Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday
* Time: 6:30 pm
* Location: Chelsworth Park

Come rain or shine, our dedicated players will be out on the field honing their skills and strengthening the connection that defines our club. We extend a permanent invitation to all supporters to join us at training, witness the hard work and dedication of our players, and share in the excitement as we prepare for the challenges Season 2024.
There’s something special about being on the sidelines, cheering on our club, and feeling the energy that training sessions bring. It’s a chance to connect, to witness the determination of our players up close, and to be a part of the “Ego Yah” without the stress of the scoreboard!

Recruitment Drive – “Do Your Bit”

In the spirit of unity and growth, we encourage each and every club member and supporter to “do their bit” for our football club. Your support is invaluable, and we believe that our community has the power to expand even further. Despite our amazing success in 2024 recruiting, particularly for our 2024 U/19 team is proving very challenging, so if you are in position to influence the football decision making of young people in your social orbit, do not hesitate to strongly encourage them to join Old Ivanhoe.
Whether it’s spreading the word, bringing friends to training, or sharing your passion for our club on social media, every effort contributes to the strength of our Old Ivanhoe Grammarians family. As a community we are doing a stellar job nurturing and developing the young people who represent our football club, so I am confident that no young person will be disappointed by your encouragement.

60th Anniversary Gala Dinner

In the midst of our excitement for the upcoming season, we are elated to announce that this year marks a significant milestone for our club – our 60th anniversary! As we reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us to this moment, we can’t help but take pride in the rich tapestry of achievements, camaraderie, and passion that defines the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club. We look forward with great anticipation to celebrating the history and attributes of the Football Club with as many members, supporters and friends as possible.
In celebration of this momentous occasion, we are thrilled to announce that our Annual Gala Night will serve as the grand 60th-anniversary dinner. This special event will be held early in the season, aiming to capture the last of the warmth of the pre-season before the weather takes a turn.

Details of the 60th Anniversary Gala Night:
* Date: [To be confirmed]
* Venue: [To be confirmed]
* Purpose: Celebrate our 60-year legacy, connect our community, and look forward to the promising future ahead.

Your support can make this celebration unforgettable, whether it’s by donating an auction item or joining the dynamic team behind the scenes. Your contribution, big or small, will add that extra sparkle to our gala.
Contact Sienna Whiteman at 0437 444 340 or drop her an email at siennawhiteman@y7mail.com (mailto:siennawhiteman@y7mail.com) to unleash the party-planning magic! Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something truly extraordinary!
We encourage all members, past and present players, supporters, and their families to join us for this momentous occasion. Let’s come together to reminisce about the past, revel in the present, and toast to the exciting chapters yet to unfold.
Stay tuned for more details as we embark on this celebratory journey together!
Save the Date Round 1: 2023 Premiership Flag raising ceremonies

The anticipation is building as we gear up to kick off the 2024 season on April 13th, and what a way to start – a home game at Chelsworth Park against none other than Old Camberwell, the same club we triumphed over in last season’s senior grand final! It’s a rematch that promises excitement, rivalry, and a winning start to our first Premier B season since 2014.
But that’s not all – before both the reserves and seniors matches, we’ll be proudly raising our 2023 premiership flags. This symbolic ceremony is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and triumph of our incredible players and coaching staff. It’s an occasion not to be missed, as we celebrate the achievements of the past and set our sights on the victories that lie ahead.

Event Details:
* Date: April 13, 2024
* Venue: Chelsworth Park
* Matches:
+ Reserves Match: 11:40am
+ Seniors Match: 2:00pm
* Flag-Raising Ceremony: Immediately prior to both matches

Chelsworth Club Lunch:
We extend a warm invitation to all club members and supporters to make this day even more special by attending the Chelsworth Club lunch before the senior game. It’s an opportunity to gather, share stories, and build the connections that makes our club truly exceptional. Plus, who can resist a delicious ‘Spitting Image’ meal in the company of fellow fans?

Alcohol Available Throughout the Day:
For your convenience and enjoyment, the club bar will be open throughout the day, offering a selection of beverages to enhance the matchday experience. Be there to raise a toast or two to the Old Ivanhoe spirit and the victories that await us in the 2024 season.
Mark your calendars, rally your friends and family, and join us for a day filled with football excitement, community, and the joy of witnessing our premiership flags flutter proudly in the breeze.
See you there, cheering on the brown and white!

** Volunteering
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Like all other community clubs our Football Club is reliant on the commitment and endeavour of volunteers. The increasing demands of operating a football club has meant that several of our wonderful volunteers are being stretched close to capacity. To that end, I encourage club members and supporters to step forward and get in contact with me (chris.branigan@ivanhoe.com.au (mailto:chris.branigan@ivanhoe.com.au) ) and offer yourself to become part of our football operations team because Brett Jensen is currently having to do too much.
Being part of the Football Operations team will have you in the thick of the action on either game day or at training, or even both. Your level of commitment is your choice but any involvement will go a long way to easing the burden which currently rests Brett’s shoulders.
In addition to extra members to the Football Operations team, we also require additional bar staff. Current Bar Manager, Jeremy Branigan, has made the permanent move to the Mornington Peninsula and in 2024 will only be behind the bar on match days. Even then, we hope that our promotion to Premier B will bring bigger and thirstier crowds to Chelsworth Park meaning that extra assistance will not only be required on training nights but also on match days. Again, if volunteering behind the bar is something you can see yourself doing, if only for a night or day, here and there, please reach out to me (chris.branigan@ivanhoe.com.au).

** Pre-Season Camp
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Our coaching staff but particularly Senior Coach Jarrod Gieschen has done a power of work co-ordinating what promises to be an incredibly beneficial training day at Sorrento for our playing group. This special event promises not only skill-building on the field but also the continued strengthening of the connection of our playing group. On February 10th, our playing group will spend the morning training at Percy Cerruty Oval in Portsea before embarking on a scavenger hunt across lower Mornington Peninsula – a day filled with teamwork and strategy.
We extend our sincere gratitude to clubman Tony Pantano for generously opening the doors of his café, Buckley’s, for our strategy and planning sessions. Nestled on the corner of Ocean Beach Rd and Melbourne Rd, Buckley’s is more than a café – it’s a hub for collaboration and the perfect setting for our players and coaches to fine-tune their game plan for the season ahead.

Event Details:
* Date: February 10, 2024
* Location: Sorrento
* Training Camp: Daytime
* Strategy and Planning Sessions: Buckley’s Café, Sorrento

Support Tony Pantano and Buckley’s Café: In appreciation of Tony’s support, we encourage those living or holidaying on the Mornington Peninsula to visit Buckley’s Café. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or a coffee break, your patronage will not only show gratitude but also contribute to the success of a local establishment that supports our club.

Evening Celebration at the Continental Hotel: To cap off a day of hard work and planning, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Craig Shearer and the KickOn Group for coordinating an evening of dinner and drinks at the Continental Hotel. Located in Sorrento, the Continental Hotel is part of KickOn Group’s portfolio, which includes the Terminus in North Fitzroy – one of our major sponsors.

Details for the Evening Celebration:
* Venue: Continental Hotel, Sorrento
* Time: 7pm onwards

For those fortunate enough to be on the Mornington Peninsula that weekend, we extend an invitation to join us for a delicious meal and well-earned drinks. There is no need to RSVP, simply get to the ‘Conti’ and ask the helpful staff where OIGFC are stationed.

** New Chelsworth Park Pavilion
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We are excited to report that we may finally have progress on this front. After what has seemed an interminable length of time the School and the Banyule Council have arrived at a lease agreement for Chelsworth Park. The pavilion redevelopment and lease amendment community page has been published on Shaping Banyule: https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/ChelsworthPark (https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GcuBCVARy1ilo0J7sGt8IZ?domain=shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au) . As most of you are aware, the new lease must be approved before the planning permit for the pavilion can be issued. Council are trying to separate these as two separate items as much as possible in their communication to the community.
If your are interested, please review the website to understand the key next steps in detail, however in summary:
* Stage 1 – Inform
+ Feb 2024
+ Community information sessions – Council will introduce the project and the key processes for community consultation.
* Stage 2 – Lease consultation
+ Feb – March 2024
+ Community workshops – this will mainly focus on the proposed lease, with concept plans for the pavilion also shared. These sessions are currently being promoted via signage at Chelsworth Park.
* Stage 3 – Planning application consultation
+ May – June 2024
+ No details have been released yet however we suspect this will be after the school have lodged a planning permit and will allow the community to make comment on the design itself.

It is also worth noting that the timeframe on the website states that construction commences by August 2025, however this is just an arbitrary date selected by council. The school can commence construction at any point after the ‘’New Lease Commences’ Step. If the planning permit is awarded at the July council meeting per the timeframe, I would expect the School to prioritize commencing construction as early as possible, hopefully in early 2025.

** Sponsor Callout
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In the previous edition we highlighted the fact that we have lost one of our major sponsors. This is in additional to losing a different major sponsor at the end of the 2022 season. In the space of 12 months we have lost two major sponsors, fortunately we have won three premierships.
Given the strength and resources of our community we are ‘calling out’ for our supporters to get behind our football club in a financial way. Please click on the link to see our sponsorship brochure (https://mcusercontent.com/fe4cd609df559289d4f698157/files/ebce5635-37df-e15c-5634-c97afc6287fa/oigfc_sponsorship_brochure.pdf) and what our various sponsorship levels avail our sponsors.
Remember that every dollar you invest goes toward making our football club better for the benefit of every supporter, member but most particularly our players. What your sponsorship dollars won’t do, is line the pockets of mercenary community footballers!

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