We’re looking for an enthusiastic person to manage the canteen activities for our St Mary’s Football and Netball Club in 2024. The main function of this role will be planning, organising, and monitoring the day to day operations of the canteen.
This is a paid position.
Dates required 9 Thursday night (for food delivery) and Saturday’s between April to August 2024.
Hours Hours may vary but generally required between 12 noon to 5pm on dates above.
Key responsibilities
Ordering and receiving stock weekly, including ensuring stock is kept at appropriate levels
Managing volunteer rosters and volunteer responsibilities, including any training required, on canteen days
Closing and cleaning the canteen
Develop and implement a canteen volunteer roster
Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure preferred suppliers are used and invoices are paid promptly
Provide feedback to the Committee on improvement opportunities
Ensure all volunteers are familiar with correct hygiene and food handling practices
Relationships & Accountability
This position will liaise directly with relevant food and beverage suppliers.
This position will have regular communication with Vice President and Treasurer as well as coaches, committee members, general members, parents, players and volunteers.
The canteen manager is accountable to the Vice President and general committee.
How to apply
Send your expression of interest to Mark Stanley, President at mstanley@asean.com.au and Rob Cotter, Vice President, robcotter2@gmail.com
In honour of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on individuals who have been instrumental in championing women’s sports at St Mary’s. Today, we’re highlighting the current Senior Women’s Premiership winning coach Troy Bickerton!
Troy’s passion for supporting girls and women’s sport began when his daughter Madi’s basketball team needed a coach. Not wanting his daughter or any of the other girls to miss out, he stepped up to the challenge and went on to coach for an impressive six years. Fast forward to today and he has now coached his daughter to a football Grand Final win!
Drawing from his own experiences as a footy player, Troy knew the tremendous benefits that come from being part of a football club. Motivated by wanting his wife and daughter to enjoy the same benefits, it didn’t take much for him to wholeheartedly get behind the women’s program with his wife Jess, a decision which has been incredibly rewarding.
“Witnessing my wife and daughter step outside of their comfort zones to play their first games of footy was a source of great pride for me. I love that playing footy has become something my whole family can share.”
Of course, one of the best rewards came in the form of winning the 2023 Grand Final. A massive achievement, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding the continuation of women’s footy when Troy and Jess took over after a one-year hiatus.
The fact that they not only revitalised the program but also clinched the premiership within a few short years is truly remarkable. It wasn’t just the win, but what the win represented for Troy. It symbolised the culmination of years of hard work by Troy and his own family, including son and Assistant Coach Hayden, his wife Jess, and many more in the St Mary’s community.
While celebrating the historic win, Troy expressed immense pride at witnessing how much the players had developed on and off the field, forming friendships that wouldn’t have existed without the women’s program.
“I’m glad that women have found a welcoming and inclusive community at St Mary’s, especially my own wife and daughter. Being even a small part of women experiencing the unique sense of belonging that a football club can offer, something traditionally only open to men, brings me great satisfaction.”
Looking to break down more barriers in the future, Troy envisions St Mary’s and other clubs having a Senior and Reserves Women’s sides, played in prime-time slots just like the men. He also advocates for the end of grading games within the women’s competition, believing in the strength of an elevation/relegation system to foster competition and aid player retention.
Nevertheless, support for women’s football has continued to grow. Troy has found it heartening to even see individuals who were once hesitant about the women’s program now being enthusiastic supporters.
“Seeing the Grand Final quarter time huddles filled with as many, if not more, supporters than the men’s finals teams, were surreal. It was a perfect representation of how our community is rallying behind women’s football.”
Troy strongly encourages other clubs to embrace women’s footy and encourages men to take a chance on getting involved as well. His number one piece of advice is to ensure that all teams are treated equally, underscoring the role of an inclusive and supportive culture in the whole Club’s success. He encourages simple yet impactful actions like shared Thursday night dinners and occasional joint training sessions.
“Everyone, regardless of skill level or gender, has something valuable to bring to the table. Embracing this diversity is what creates a stronger sense of community that drives success and growth within the Club,” Troy shared.
Troy’s impact on women’s football at St Mary’s is nothing short of amazing. His commitment and vision have created a competitive team on the field and a close-knit community off it. Troy is excited about what the future holds for women’s footy, particularly for his team as they embark on the journey into Division 1 this year.
This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion. It underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality.
The theme resonates deeply within our club, as it is a well known fact that women are undervalued in the sporting arena. As a Club, we are united in the belief that true progress requires embracing the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all backgrounds. We hope to continue to champion an environment where every player feels valued and respected.
Here, our Senior Women’s Football team are proudly striking the #InspireInclusion pose, celebrating our commitment to fostering diversity within our sporting Club.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting people that have been a driving force behind women’s sports at St Mary’s.
To kick off, we’re talking to Jessie Bickerton, current Senior Women’s Team Manager and Football Manager, committee member, former player, unofficial Club photographer and much, much more.
Growing up, Jess was always immersed in the world of sports, so when St Mary’s first floated the idea of a Senior Women’s footy team, she jumped at the chance to play knowing the transformative impact sports had on women.
Regrettably, the women’s team faced setbacks, leading to a year-long hiatus. However, when Jess’ daughter Maddie showed keen interest in joining the team after seeing her mum’s positive experience at St Mary’s, Jess and her husband went straight to the President to garner support to re-ignite the women’s program. Their vision was not merely about football; it was about creating a space where all women could enjoy the benefits of team sport.
Despite their passion, it wasn’t always easy due to many misconceptions that often-deterred women from playing senior football. Jess noticed how girls often built-up intimidating images of opponents as tough and scary, when, in reality, the opponents mirrored their own team. Some women were also intimidated by the close relationship with the men’s sides at the Club. However, Jess explained these fears quickly dissipate when they realise the men are there for the same reason as them.
“The culture shift within the Club has been remarkable; the women’s team has brought a whole different dynamic that everyone has benefitted from.”
“The mutual support between the men and the women is incredible and truly illustrates that at our core we are one Club. It’s the shared sense of purpose that allows all players regardless of gender to thrive at St Mary’s.”
However, this doesn’t mean women’s football isn’t still facing challenges. Senior Women’s teams are often relegated to smaller and sub-standard grounds with Senior and Junior men’s teams getting preferential treatment, reflecting a broader societal issue of the undervaluation of women’s sports. This is one thing Jess would love to see changed, acting as a tangible step toward giving women equal respect and value in the sporting arena.
Anyone who has met Jess knows that the pride she feels for the women’s team is palpable.
“Watching this group of diverse women be each other’s biggest supporters is a deeply fulfilling experience. Such support is unfortunately uncommon, but it is unmistakably evident in our team.”
The pinnacle was undoubtably winning the Grand Final last season, fulfilling a team goal they set in 2021, but Jess also described admiration in moments that may go unnoticed by anyone else.
A standout memory was during a challenging game against Fitzroy Stars. St Mary’s was trailing by 4 points in the shocking weather conditions. One of the less confident players was given a free kick, with time running out, she went for a goal which won St Mary’s the game. Watching every single teammate run to her to celebrate was described by Jess as “the most amazing feeling” because it showed the essence of the team.
“These women don’t judge each other based on football ability. They rally around each other because they recognise and appreciate that they’re all great people.”
“It’s this type of culture and support that has always fuelled their determination and led to them winning our first Women’s Grand Final.”
For Jess, being involved in women’s footy has been an enriching experience, attesting that there are no drawbacks to getting involved in grassroots womens sport – only rewards.
“The sense of accomplishment you feel knowing that you are part of women succeeding together, lifting each other up and creating long-lasting friendships is incredible.”
“I am very proud that we have created a safe space for women to give footy a go, but equally proud that we’ve made it much more than the game itself. St Mary’s is a place where everyone is free to be themselves, and many women are drawn to it for this reason.”
Jess herself cites the incredible women she wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for footy, and describes having a diverse group of women supporting you in life as a “pretty great feeling.”
As such, her commitment to women’s football is unwavering, and Jess will always continue to advocate for the needs of the women’s program.
Her advice to those considering starting a women’s team – “Just do it!” Despite the occasional sleepless nights and tears, Jess reassures that the stress of getting a team up is undeniably worth it.
Through Jess’s efforts, St Mary’s has become more than a place where women go to play footy; they find a supportive community that celebrates everyone.
Jess has been instrumental in shaping women’s football at St Mary’s, and we know that her impact will be felt for years to come and continue to inspire more women to get involved in footy.
Last week, our current and upcoming Club leaders gathered for their second session with leading sports performance specialist David Buttifant who has over 25+years of experience working with AFL club and Olympic athletes.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the emphasis on instilling specific values and behaviours within our Club’s culture. David facilitated open discussions that encouraged leaders to reflect on the principles that should be the driving force behind every action and decision. The goal is to create a cohesive environment that fosters collaboration, resilience, and ultimately success on and off the field.
While the specific values and behaviours discussed during the session will be unveiled by our leaders soon, the overarching theme revolves around building a culture that focuses on the collective strength of the team rather than individuals.
Our netball teams had an awesome time at sponsor Jaga Jaga last night!
The players cashed in their Best on Ground vouchers to enjoy delicious pizza and cocktails before taking on trivia. With minds as sharp as their on-court skills, they won trivia and will no doubt return to Jaga Jaga soon to spend the $100 winning prize.
Jaga Jaga has been a fantastic supporter of netball the last two seasons, giving away $900 worth of vouchers to reward our players for their sporting efforts. Here’s to more great times at Jaga Jaga soon!
Over the weekend, our senior men’s and women’s players stepped up to help out at St Mary’s Junior Football Club Open Day. A massive shoutout to Huon McGibbon, Meg Girolami, Hayden Bickerton, Georgia Kitchell, Tane Cotter, Lily Cotter, and Patrick Carbis.
The Senior Club couldn’t be prouder of our players who took time out of their weekend to be a part of this event, inspiring the next generation of footy players.
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary achievements that have defined St Mary’s journey throughout 2023. From an impressive surge in participation to life-saving donations, our club has truly excelled in making a positive impact on and off the field.
Women win their first ever Premiership: This monumental achievement is not only a testament to their skill and dedication but also sets the stage for an exciting journey into Division 1 in 2024. The women have showcased resilience, teamwork, and determination, embodying the true spirit of our club.
Netball participation increased by 288%: 31 new netball players joined our ranks, marking an incredible 288% increase from the beginning of the year. This means that for the first time ever, we fielded more than one summer netball team, boasting a total of 4 teams and building a thriving netball community within our club. What’s even more exciting is many new players are from the Senior Women’s Football Team, bridging of the gap between women’s football and netball players.
Senior Men make their first Division 2 final: Meanwhile, our Senior Men’s Football Team achieved a groundbreaking feat by reaching their first-ever Division 2 final. This is a reflection of the team’s growth, talent and commitment. This accomplishment sets a new standard for success within our men’s football program.
Huge community impact: Our dedication to road safety initiatives earned us over $4000 in funding, we proudly contributed to saving 87 lives through blood and plasma donations part of our Lifeblood Team and our collective efforts across Movember and The Push Up Challenge raised over $3000 for mental health charities, reinforcing our Club’s commitment to making a difference.
As we bid farewell to 2023, we extend a thank you to every member of St Mary’s who contributed to these remarkable achievements. Here’s to another year of growth and success in 2024!
Today is International Volunteer Day, a chance to celebrate the volunteers in our community and the contributions they make to our Club.
The theme this year is #IfEveryoneDid. If everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place; our St Mary’s community would be a better place.
#IfEveryoneDid… imagine the possibilities! From improved facilities and better experiences. But here’s the thing: we need more hands on deck to make these dreams a reality.
Our small number of dedicated volunteers put their hearts into this community, juggling responsibilities to ensure your experiences at our Club are great. For example, they give up watching their kids play footy to run the canteen while you enjoy the game since it’s a huge income source for our Club.
Let’s lend a hand next year. Whether it’s an hour or a day, your contribution can make a monumental difference.
Let’s make #IfEveryoneDid more than just a hashtag and support the amazing people that keep our Club running in 2024.
Following our AGM yesterday, please welcome our Committee for 2024:
– President: Mark Stanley – Vice President: Rob Cotter – Secretary: Lauren Ind – Treasurer: Evan Butterworth – Director of Football: Greg Hanlon – Football Manager: Jessie Bickerton – Football Manager: Glenn Costello – General Committee Member: Deb Costello – General Committee Member: Pat Waldron – General Committee Member: Mark Read
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Fiona Hocking who is stepping off the Committee next year after 6 years helping shape our Club in the roles of Vice President, Secretary and General Committee Member.
However, she will still be around running our Burra 45 membership program in 2024.
Club President Mark Stanley, personally expressed his thanks for everything Fiona has contributed.
“We’ve been so lucky to have Fiona dedicate her time and exceptional talent to organising events, managing the canteen, designing merchandise, running membership programs and much more.”
“While she will be missed on the Committee, we’re grateful for the positive impact she has had on our Club and look forward to seeing her around cheering on our netball and football teams.”
SMFNC 