The 'Antz Pantz
NORTHERN BULLANTS FOOTBALL CLUB
Proudly Sponsored By  :   (Stay Tuned, Folks!!!)

 
http://bullants.footballvic.com.au

Issue 2007/01, 05 January, 2007


Welcome to the first Antz Pantz for 2007.

We confess that this newsletter has been sitting around since a few days before Christmas – we've had to drop the usual Ho! Ho! Ho! bits for the festive season, but a few of us at the Ant Nest have had fingers crossed (obviously reducing our keyboard skills) waiting for our new major, and we do mean MAJOR sponsor to confirm our mutual contract for the next three seasons.

From our end, we can acknowledge that the sponsorship has been agreed and presents, along with a substantial cash injection, the opportunity for our club to expand our membership by probably around ten-fold.  

The name of our new patron will send shock waves out to just about every sporting club and state-based organization in Australia and this is probably the most prestigious football sponsorship ever seen outside of the elite AFL level.   A “top ten” Australian company, our new friends will make their announcement of their patronage for the first time of a community based club to the national, state and sporting press over the next few weeks.

Memberships, Memberships, Memberships (Link)

Of course, the lifeblood of any club .., but somehow the average distribution of the Antz Pants is about half of our actual paid-up member or known  sponsors!

There are number of membership packages available at the link above - don't leave it until the last moment and show your support now. 

For paid-up Carlton members, just $20 for free admission to all home games, half-price away and complimentary membership to the VRI Co-Operative with discounts on a wide range of goodie - great value, but of course, anyone really wanting to be involved with the up-and-coming Blues youngsters should get on board for the ride and opt for our full membership at just $60.

And on the subject of sponsorship, Quentin Aisbett advises that the Barry Mitchell-signed Bullant jumper prize drawn from those taking out their full membership before Christmas was won by Mr. Lionel Watts of Donvale.

The Great Signage Raffle (Minor Permit Number :  11829/06)  (Link)

Just 100 tickets at $150 could see your company promoted on a sign around the ground for twelve months.

TEN spaces (including sign writing) each valued at over $1300 to be raffled AND your raffle ticket includes a complimentary adult membership, plus an invitation to a special breakfast at Rydges-On-Bell where the lucky winners will be drawn (a combined value of $110, meaning your outlay is just $40).

Ring Quentin on 0421 502886 to invest in this great business opportunity

2007 Coaching Clinics

Plans are in full swing for our 2007 community footy clinics on January 26 (Australia Day, limited to 100 participants) and Saturday, February 24.  These days are in conjunction with the City of Darebin and Preston Central traders and the second day, which features an outdoor movie night after the clinic will be heavily promoted by the Council early next year.  All participants will receive a free Bullants footy.

The February evening ties in with festivities for the Chinese New Year and will be heavily promoted by the Darebin Council – this will be a great event for all so roll up and enjoy the family entertainment.

Training Closedown for Christmas

The last training session for 2006 was on Friday, December 15 followed by a few hours wind-down over a convivial ale just up the road from Princes Park.

Due to our consistent struggles for finance there will probably be no "name" recruits, but the numbers of hopefuls rolling up to have a crack has been highly encouraging, and at the moment, the only two likely losses from last year's are Daniel Harford (with a question mark) and Michael Hooper who may be with West Adelaide.   And let's remember that amongst the hopefuls two years ago was a largely untried Ross Young, who we are delighted to report was last week added to Carlton's rookie list.

"Youngy" becomes the first player over 22 years of age to be "rookied" under a new rule that allows older players to be selected if they have never previously nominated for a national or pre-season draft.   A great result all round – as a rookie, Ross continues in Bullant colours, but Carlton get to pay for him!

Reserves Coaching Changes

We report with a touch of regret the resignation of Reserves coach Phil Plunkett following the arrival of he and his wife's third child.  Phil has taken up the role with Heidelberg in the DVFL to help him spend more time with his young family after finding it a struggle with the 'Ants three nights of training, games at remote locations and often having to be on hand for Senior and Reserves matches falling on different days.

We wish him well at Heidelberg and he knows our door is always open.  In Phil's place, the Northern Bullants have appointed his deputy from last year, Justin Brereton.  "Dermie" played a season with us four or five years ago and although he has not had the full responsibility for coaching before, we are confident that the stability he brings to the role with just about all of last year's Reserves throwing their hat in the ring will see us serious contenders again in 2007.

The TRUenergy VFL Reserves fixture has now been finalised and happily the draw continues to become closer to that of the senior team

Knights Coach Announced

It was announced early last week that ex-Werribee player Paul Satterley will coach the Northern Knights in season 2007, replacing Danny Sexton who has taken up an AFL Development Coach role with St Kilda.   Satterley has vast playing and coaching experience in elite-level football across Victoria, having played with the Western Jets in the first year of the TAC Cup in 1992 (also well known to Garry O'Sullivan during G.O's stint with Footscray).

Satterley went on to play 52 Reserves games with the Western Bulldogs before playing 83 games with Werribee in the TRUenergy VFL, where he won the JJ Liston Trophy in 1995. He successfully coached Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League from 2003 to 2005 and this year was an assistant coach at the Western Jets and a match day line coach with Williamstown’s senior TRUenergy VFL team.

We're also delighted that an old friend in Shane Watson has been appointed to the Eastern Ranges position.

Waddo (he of the big ears) played 141 games for Collingwood between 1990 to 2000 before joining the Bullants where he played 50 games from 2001 to 2003, winning our best and fairest in the latter year.  He had an assistant coaching role with the 'Ants and moved to Montmorency in 2004 to finish his playing career alongside a couple of his brothers. 

He coached Lower Plenty in the Diamond Valley in 2005 and this year was an assistant coach with the Sandringham Dragons and specialist backline coach of the Victoria Metro team that was successful at this year’s NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.

Contact Details

General Manager

:

Garry O’Sullivan

Marketing Manager

:

Quentin Aisbett  0421 502886 northernbullantsmarketing@bigpond.com

Office Telephone

:

9470 2224

Office Fax       

:

9470 2059

Email  

:

northernbullants@bigpond.com

PFC Social Club

:

9478 0823

Web or 'Antz Pantz comments, subscriptions or unsubscriptions 

:

bullant@mail.com