Kempsey Saints’ presentations | Photos

President Matt Baker, in his annual report, thanked all involved for their hard work in another record breaking year; this included the clubs sponsors, committee, coaches, players, referees and everyone who has contributed to 2017.

Baker went on to say that the registrations had increased again this year and that brings more work but the reward is seeing over 430 players turning out each weekend in the green and white.

The special award winners for this season were Brett Sutherland being presented with a 10 year service award.

Sutherland has been a long time coach at the club and has served as vice-president, he was also instrumental in the upgrade of the council amenities block at Eden St.

Abby Baker was a popular winner of this year’s Club Person of the Year award.

Abby has played her whole career at Saints; has coached junior teams for many years; and this season took on one of the Ladies teams which she coached to a grand final berth.

Saints also bestowed a life membership on Jane Walsh.

With only 6 life memberships having been awarded in 46 years it is an award that is treated with reverence.

Walsh has been a long term worker behind the scenes at Saints. She has been on the committee for many years and has held both the secretary and her current treasurer’s position.

Walsh has been involved in every aspect of running the club and has also supported both her children and her husband Eric as players for Saints.

Walsh was one of the key figures to steer Saints through a couple of tumultuous years when the relationship of Saints being a junior feeder club for another senior club broke down.

It has been commitment from volunteers like Walsh that has seen Saints grow to unprecedented levels and achieve what it has with 437 registrations in 2017.

Both presentations were well attended and the club would like to thank the Kempsey Pool and the West Kempsey Hotel for hosting the presentations.

The 2017 Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday November 27 at the West Kempsey Hotel.

Special Awards:

10 Year Service Award: Brett Sutherland

Club Person of the Year: Abby Baker

Life Membership: Jane Walsh

Player Awards:

First Grade:

Player of the Year: Michael Sultana

Coaches Award: Josh Wilson

Player’s Player: Harry James

Reserve Grade:

Player of the Year: Alex Breckell

Coaches Award: Liam King

Player’s Player: Matt Dimmock

Northern Men’s:

Player of the Year: Green- Sam Preston; White- Liam Bowie

Coaches Award: Green- Martin Peek; White- Daniel Bruce-Smith

Northern Ladies:

Player of the Year: Green- Lucy Barber             White- Antwinette Dunn

Coaches Award: Green- Laura Curtain                White- Shannon Thomas

Golden Boot:

Ladies: Equal Olivia Creswick/Amy O’Brien

All Men’s Grades: Liam King

Broken Halo:

Tom Salter- “High Expectations”