Footy Club Fast Facts: Balgowlah Suns
Get to know the Balgowlah Suns in our next edition of Footy Club Fast Facts.
Club Name: Balgowlah Suns
How many teams are at your club: 13
Where is your home ground: Balgowlah Oval, Balgowlah
Name of your Club President: Haydn Sheehan
Who are your Major Club Sponsors: Cadence & Co. – Obvius – Isuzu – Code 5 Gym – The Beaches Physio
List your Clubs Achievements: The Balgowlah Suns Junior AFL Club was formed in 2015, initially with 54 Auskickers with our home ground of Balgowlah Oval on Sydney Road in Balgowlah. In 2016, our Auskick group grew to 73 and we also expanded to include two Under 9’s teams competing in the Sydney Juniors competition for the first time. In 2017, our rapid growth continued, Auskick exceeded 100 kids and in addition to the two Under 9’s teams we added two Under 10’s and an Under 11’s boys teams as well as establishing our first Under 12 girls team and Under 15 girls (as a joint venture with Manly), we’ve finished this year with 191 kids in the club. In July 2017, our club was awarded the ‘Highest Nett Growth’ (i.e. fastest growing club) of all clubs in the Sydney Harbour region and then in August, we received the award for the ‘Best Club’ on the North Shore. To top off the 2017 year, 4 of our 7 teams won their age group Grand Finals, a truly fantastic result for a young club and one we are all proud of. The 2018 season far exceeded our predictions, with 150 Auskick, and 170 juniors. Increasing our junior teams to 10 and building a strong Youth girls base of 3 teams. The U15YG almost pulled off another Grand final win! 2019 started strong and we have secured a Greater Sydney Sports Facility grant from the NSW Government of nearly $700K to build new ammenities block with change rooms and canteen in 2019.
What are the upcoming events or big occasions in 2019: 2019 for us is all about managing the fast growth of the club and building the sustainability of that growth for the years to come. That will include expansions plans for the club as well as managing volunteers and building strength in our executive team for the future. Of course the excitement of the new facilities will be a big part of that.
What is the best thing about your club: The best thing is watching the growth in the area of AFL and seeing that filter into the club. We are all about fun and community and making the experience a positive one for all of our kids. We love that people come to join because of that.
Where do you see your club in 20 years: Like other established clubs in the area, I’d like the Suns name to be well known in the area, a continuation of the community, respect and fun culture that has been established over the past 5 years and ultimately a place where kids want to play AFL and enjoy the challenges of taking on our rival clubs across Sydney. Naturally, the establishment of core facilities like a Club House, change rooms and a ground that can support the club are paramount to our continued growth and success and plans are in place with the AFL, NSW Government and Northern Beaches Council to uplift / create these facilities over the coming years. I look forward to sitting back with my fellow committee members of today and watching kids from the Suns play AFL, become coaches and the future generations of committee members to take the club forward for many many years to come!
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