Eat pancakes and win for St Mary’s!

Exciting news, pancake lovers and St Mary’s supporters! We’re now part of The Pancake Parlour Club Rewards program.

Here’s the scoop: for every dollar you spend at any Pancake Parlour location, St Mary’s earns 1 point. And that’s just the beginning of the perks! Throughout the campaign, we have the opportunity to earn up to $6000, along with other fantastic rewards for our Club, players, and supporters. How does a pancake dinner for 50 people sound?

But wait, there’s more! If we manage to clinch the top spot on the leaderboard in our local league, we’ll pocket $1,000. Plus, there’s an additional incentive of $1,000 to $5,000 if we secure a place between 1st and 5th in the overall leaderboard.

To help us win, complete the following steps:

1. Sign up: Join the Lovely Rewards program and select ‘St Mary’s Senior Football Netball Club’ under the ‘Club’ dropdown via the app or online.

2. Eat pancakes: Every time you dine in, scan/add your member card. Forgot? Just let the staff know at the counter, and they’ll ensure your points are attributed to St Mary’s.

And that’s all there is to it! Just for even more incentive, once we reach 500 points, our high performers will receive $50 vouchers. So, indulge in those pancake stacks guilt free – you’re just doing your bit to help your local club.

Oh, and here’s a little tip: if you’re planning a gathering of 10 or more people, be sure to book here for bonus points.

AFL Victoria recognise our Local Legend Jessie Bickerton

We often hear about the stars on the field, but what about the unsung heroes – the ones who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all possible? In the world of footy, Jessie Bickerton is one such legend and AFL Victoria are giving her and other local legends the recognition they deserve.

AFL Victoria’s Local Legends campaign is shining a spotlight on individuals like Jessie – the heartbeat of local clubs and communities. Her dedication to women’s footy has made a huge impact; it’s carved out a path for future generations of women in sport.

From being a photographer, team manager and more, Jessie’s contributions have shaped our culture, broke down barriers, and fostered inclusivity.

As we applaud Jessie’s achievements, let’s also remember the countless other local legends like her at St Mary’s, who embody the true essence of the game.

Creating safer communities: Pat Cronin Round 2024

Join us this weekend for the Pat Cronin Round to show support for Pat Cronin Foundation and their mission to end the coward punch.

Pat’s life was cut short in 2016 after a coward punch attack following his first senior footy game at his much loved club Lower Plenty. His tragic passing served as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and highlighted the need for change.

That’s why this weekend, over 50,000 players from 2000 teams across five football/netball leagues will unite to support this cause.

But Pat’s story isn’t a one-off. That’s why we’re urging our club members to donate and support the Foundation’s vital work in violence-prevention education.

Club President Mark Stanley shared why St Mary’s always gets behind Pat Cronin round.

“The Pat Cronin Round is not just about football; it’s about our community standing together to raise awareness about the devastating impact of violence.”

“Violence on and off the field contradicts the very essence of what a sporting community represents; a place where people come together to enjoy shared interests and experiences.”

“As we gather for the Pat Cronin Round, let’s reinforce our commitment to creating inclusive and safe environments at our Club and within the broader community.”

Terry Derham receives Community Award for his service to St Mary’s

Congratulations to Terry Derham for receiving a 2024 Jaga Jaga Volunteer Award from MP Kate Thwaites for over 30 years of service to St Mary’s.

Terry’s journey began in 1991 when his sons joined the footy team. Despite a hectic schedule, Terry stepped up as Team Manager and later took on coaching roles, even though he’d never played footy himself!

His commitment extended to founding the senior club, serving as its first secretary and still acting as Team Manager today. In recognition for his service, he has been awarded Life Membership of both the Junior and Senior Club.

Terry’s dedication to St Mary’s over the past 30 years has truly left a positive mark on our community. With his passion firmly instilled in his kids and grandkids, Terry will undoubtedly be with us for a long time to come.

From Premiers to powerhouses: Women dominate in Division 1

Last year’s Premiership win was just the beginning for our women’s team.

Their hard work and dedication have propelled them to the highest division, and they’ve wasted no time in making their mark. In their inaugural game, they dominated the field with a staggering 69-point lead.

Congratulations to the team for their outstanding achievement and for setting the bar high as they embark on this exciting new chapter.

Mentoring tomorrow’s footy legends

Let’s give a huge round of applause to all the legends from our Club who pitched in to make St Mary’s Junior Football Club’s first Auskick session a smashing success this year!

Your dedication and passion for the game shine through, and you’ve done our senior club proud by inspiring the next generation of footy stars.

Together, we’re shaping the future of St Mary’s.

Building a winning culture

Last night our football teams came together to solidify the core values developed by our leaders throughout the off-season under the guidance of high-performance specialist and resilience coach David Buttifant.

The aim of undertaking this work is to invest in our players, foster a positive culture and continue advancing the Club. These values will serve as the bedrock of our Club’s identity and behaviour and guide every decision we make.

We’re also committed to regularly assessing our behaviour against these values, ensuring we stay true to our word.

Stay tuned as we share more insights from the session and dive deeper into the values that drive us forward.

Because creating a positive culture isn’t just a job for our leaders—it’s a collective effort.

WIN A TOYOTA!

Support St Mary’s Senior Football Club in the Good for Footy Raffle and you could win one of three brand new Toyota’s! Plus, there’s 46 other prizes up for grabs too.

Good for Footy is Toyota’s grassroots footy program. Toyota generously provides all the prizes for the raffle and local clubs like St Mary’s get all of the proceeds.⁠

⁠Tickets are just $5 and 100% of the proceeds bought through our fundraising page go to our Club.

Last year we raised $1100 while other clubs in the NFNL raised over $20k. Let’s strive for better this year to improve our Club.

Buy a ticket or ten and be Good for Footy!⁠

T&Cs apply.

Telstra Footy Country Grant Recipient

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve received a generous grant of $12,500 from the Telstra Footy Country Grants.

This funding will be instrumental in enhancing the safety of our grounds by installing a net behind the far goal posts. With this net in place, we can prevent balls from rolling down the rocky embankment, reducing risks for players and spectators alike.

Club President Mark Stanley expressed our gratitude.

“We have been trying to complete this project for some years now but funds have been a barrier. Thankfully, this contribution from Telstra will help us alleviate this challenge and drive us toward a safer environment.”

“We appreciate Telstra’s commitment and investment in local football which greatly benefits our Club and countless local clubs around the country.”