On Friday evening there was plenty of positivity voiced about the future of Kyneton Football Netball Club in the Riddell League next season.
In many ways, 2024 was a transitional period for Kyneton after so long in the Bendigo League, and Hayden Evans — president for the past four years — and successor Guy Nelson are optimistic that 2025 will be even better for the Tigers.
The club’s well-attended annual meeting held upstairs at Kyneton Bowling Club elected five newcomers to the committee, namely Nelson, secretary Penelope Turner, James Bone, Jenoel Foreman and Ryan Pretty.
Treasurer David Yunghanns delivered a balance sheet that showed considerable improvement in a number of areas; total trading income for the year ended October 20 was just over the $805,000 mark, up from $660,000.
Operational costs were lower in the RDFNL than in Bendigo.
The club’s major raffle brought in more than $290,000, with associated costs being $163,000.
In his final report as president, Hayden Evans emphasised the work that had gone into overcoming financial problems the club had inherited five years ago.
“What a year it has been in 2024,” he said.
“Our first year in the RDFNL has been both one of learning and excitement.
“The move from Bendigo has proved to be a tremendous success both on and off the field.”
Evans extended thanks to the club’s sponsors, members, coaches, players, parents, volunteers and supporters.
“The local Kyneton talent that has been showcased in football and netball across the club brings the community aspect back to life,” he said.
“We are now a country club playing predominantly local players and that’s just the way we like it.”
THE NEW PRESIDENT
Guy Nelson, elected unopposed as the Tigers’ new president, resides at Metcalfe on the family farm and he has been a loyal Tigers’ supporter for more than 20 years.
Keen about having the opportunity to lead the club, Nelson has vast experience in the corporate and sporting world behind him.
Originally a lawyer, he became a successful businessman over a period of 30 years.
He was an executive director of Macquarie Bank, where he was head of property investment in Melbourne for 10 years.
Nelson has had significant corporate governance experience, having sat on many Melbourne investment committees.
He supports Richmond in the VFL (also the Tigers).
For seven years he was a director of Western Chances, a non-profit organisation helping disadvantaged young people in Melbourne’s western suburbs with education scholarships.
He played football for Melbourne Under 19s, then turned to the A-grade section of Amateur ranks.
Later he coached Under 19, Reserve and Senior grade teams in the Amateurs.
After being a district cricketer for years in Melbourne, he still plays the sport — on Saturday he made 52 as an opening bat for Malmsbury.
A Sunbury Macedon Veterans Cricket Club member, he’s looking forward to playing in the interstate Over 60s Carnival in Brisbane later this year.
Nelson expressed appreciation for the work of the outgoing committee, and said there would be lots of challenges ahead.
“It’s critical that we pull together and that we’re proud to be Kyneton,” he said.
A strong believer in direct communication, Nelson said it was essential to get the best facilities possible for netballers at the Showgrounds.
He indicated he would soon be holding discussions at the top level with Macedon Ranges Shire in regard to future possible improvements.
Nelson said he agreed with Hayden Evans that netballers had been forced to put up with appalling conditions, and that they deserved better.
TIGERS’ TEAM
The leadership team for Kyneton Football and Netball Club for the next 12 months, as elected at the annual meeting on Friday evening, is as follows:
President — Guy Nelson (new).
Vice-president — Emily Dellios.
Secretary — Penelope Turner (new).
Treasurer, David Yunghanns.
General committee (12 elected) — Loryn Savoia, Ash O’Gara, Julie Priestley, Debbie Fraumano, Hayden Evans, Travis Prendergast, Kevin Barge, Sarah Corea, Huntley Harrison, James Bone, Jenoel Foreman, Ryan Pretty (the last three named are new).
