Newsletter 1 - April 6, 2023
Newsletter 1 - April 6, 2023
NEW ERA
THIS is the new look supporters will see when the Two Blues take the field on April 15 in Round 1, 2023.
It was agreed by members at the Annual General Meeting last November to accept a recommendation from the Committee to no longer trade as Prahran Assumption, and revert to the Prahran name only.
Players will take the field in a strip similar to the traditional jumper worn in the Club's VFA days. The alternate, or clash strip, is a nod to the Club's partnership with Southbank Amateur Football Club.
The VAFA season kicks off on April 15 v Oakleigh away with our Season Launch at our new temporary home of DW Lucas Reserve - East Malvern on Wednesday, April 12.
First practice match was Saturday, March 25 v South Melbourne Districts while last Saturday v East Malvern before the Easter break.
PRESIDENT FAB MAYA CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
PRAHRAN FC President, Fab Maya, entering his 13th year at the helm, has been announced as one of the select few Certificate of Merit Award winners to be presented at the VAFA Season Launch on Wednesday, April 12.
Congratulations from all at PFC on a thoroughly deserved honour. Fab played 136 senior games for Southbank from 1987 to 1997 before joining the committee in 2008.
Fab's son Tim is a dual premiership player and has logged 186 senior games so it is an outstanding family contribution.
Maya is the third longest serving president in the Club's 137 year history, surpassed only by JJ (Jack) O'Connor (a local publican who owned the Bush Inn Hotel) who served for 28 years from 1928 - 1956, and Donald Mackinnon who assumed the role for 22 years from 1903 - 1924.
UNDER 18s FOR 2023
HUGE kudos to new coach, Ed Macdonald, and Prahran Juniors key drivers including immediate past President, Rob Lacey, and Director of Coaching, Wayne Oswald, on the many hours devoted to enable an Under 18s team to take the field for Prahran for the first time in decades.
As last count, there are 29 Registered Players (some pictured above), and although many have dual commitments to their APS school duties, the roster is large enough to field a team each week.
This is an exciting venture for the Senior Club as it is hoped several players will then graduate to the senior list.
Ed Macdonald is a 2011 Prahran Assumption Premiership Player and life member who has enthusiastically embraced the role assisted by former AFL players Cam O'Shea (Port Adelaide and Carlton), and Campbell Heath (Sydney).
VALE PAT COONERTY (19th August, 1944 - 11th March, 2023)
PRAHRAN Football and Cricket Clubs lost one of their most loyal supporters with the passing of Pat Coonerty last month. Pat was farewelled by family and friends at a funeral service at Alison Monkhouse, Brighton on Friday, March 24. He passed away on March 11, in palliative care after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Pat, 78, was a convivial man, happy to chat about life and loved spending Saturday afternoons on the terraces at Toorak Park, watching the Two Blues in winter and the True Blues in summer.
Pat was a long time PFC member and as a mark of respect, players will wear black armbands in round 1. His son, Byron, has been presented with Pat's traditional membership card, Number 26, as an honorary member for the season.
Pat was proud of his upbringing in Numurkah in the Goulburn Valley and adopted Prahran as his 'sporting clubs' when he moved to Melbourne in middle age. Prahran Football Club President, Fab Maya, described Pat as a "gentleman, and we will miss him wheel in his shopping trolley at Toorak Park".
The area under the scoreboard at Toorak Park was traditionally known as 'Can Hill' in the VFA days when a temporary bar served thirsty football fans. Thanks to Pat and his trusty trolley, he steadfastly maintained the tradition in recent times - responsibly, of course!
PLAYER AWARDS SPONSORS 2023
WE thank our loyal player awards sponsors and welcome Grill'd Windsor for their generous 2023 contributions.
These after match awards are greatly appreciated by our players.
RENEW / BECOME A VALUED MEMBER OR SPONSOR
Osborne Rooftop Bar will again be the jumper sponsor and Sim Fresh the shorts sponsor.
The Osborne is owned by Prahran VFA 1992 - 1993 dual Best and Fairest, Simon Lennox, while Sim Fresh is a family company part-owned by Tony Simonetta and his son, 100 game player, Jon Simonetta.
We welcome new sponsors, BE Products, a family company, managed by life member and former player, Peter Warburton, and Empower Accounting, thanks to life member, Bernie Cooney.
It is indeed gratifying that so many past players are willing to support their old club.
Our Club relies heavily on our Memberships and Sponsorships - we will greatly appreciate whatever support you can provide - simply click on the following link and select how you would like to support.
https://prahranfootballclub.com.au/collections/membership
- Club Member - $60.00
- Jack Morgans/Prahrantonians Member - $200.00
- Player Sponsor - $400.00
- Sponsors - Bronze, Silver and Gold all available.
A sincere thanks to all our members and sponsors who have already renewed for 2023 - your support is greatly appreciated.
For the latest PFC news and to sign up as a member, click on www.prahranfootballclub.com.au
PRAHRAN JUNIORS
APRIL 23 is the kick off date for our Juniors which will field 28 teams - 20 Boys and 8 Girls, for season 2023 in the South Metro Junior Football League.
PRAHRAN NETBALL
SEASON 1 for the 2023 tipped off on Saturday, February 11, with 11 teams competing in the Stonnington City Netball Association, formally the Prahran Netball Association.
The NetSetGo Program, operating out of Melbourne Grammar's Grimwade Junior School, is proving most popular featuring more than 45 budding players.
SOCIAL MEDIA
WE warmly welcome Digital and Marketing Consultant, Stephanie Suriano, who will co-ordinate our social media such as Facebook, Instagram and flyers for this season.