The club held the Annual General Meeting for members last week in Chirnsides by the River @ Avalon Airport Oval. 

The Werribee Football Club farewelled the 2020 year with the Annual General Meeting in its function venue Chirnsides by the River on Wednesday February 24th.

President Martin Carter reflected on a unique year in the club’s history. The anticipation of the 2020 football season was soon replaced with the realities of dealing with a global pandemic and the effect on the community, the club and the people.

The impact was immediate, with no football but still with a business to run and livelihoods dependent on the viability of the club.

Carter praised the sacrifices made by staff across every area of the club. From the players’ offer to play for nothing to staff working on reduced pay but still maintaining the usual level of commitment and professionalism. The flexibility and resilience of the board and the staff was acknowledged by the President and the Board, who also were glowing in their praise of the loyalty shown by sponsors and members in sticking with the club during a NO football season. Ballan Holden is no longer an entity but the support of the Ballan Family will continue as major sponsors as they relaunch into a new post Holden era.  

The financial ramifications will be felt for some time, with the club recording a loss of $1.58 million. This is foreign territory as the club has worked diligently to eradicate debt and build its sustainability over a number of years. The pandemic blindsided nations, multi-national corporations and the richest people on the planet. So, it’s no surprise it has had its effect on the Werribee Football Club.

The club has a new senior coach, with Michael Barlow replacing Mark Williams, who has rejoined the AFL as a development manager with the Melbourne Football Club.

Simone Bellears has joined the board and Mark Micallef is the new Football Manager, replacing Stu Balloch.

The club has survived the greatest challenge handed to it in its history and enters a new, expanded 2021 competition confident in the knowledge it has a strong board, dedicated staff, a committed football department, staunch commercial partners and true blue members and supporters.