Pigeons celebrate season

The Yarrawonga Pigeons celebrated their 2021 season with a near 180-person crowd present to acknowledge the season’s award winners in the picturesque ClubMulwala last Saturday.

The major awards on the night in the football and netball were taken out by deserving winners in Leigh Masters and Kylie Leslie. Fittingly both play in the defensive end of their teams and read the game exceptionally well with turnover creating plays, whilst controlling their attacking opponents their trademarks.

Further, and not surprisingly, both coaches spoke of admiration they have for their best and fairest players in what was a most challenging covid impact season.

Whilst the award winners are listed, some highlights of the night included:

• Both Chloe and Will Wheaton taking home awards

• Georgie Hemphill, Sam Hemphill and Max Hemphill keeping it in the family

• Emily McNamara equalling her partner Leigh’s effort with her own B&F

• Ben Woodburn ending Dave and Dot Woodburn’s contribution to junior sport in the community with the thirds B&F. Beyond the playing side, the highlight of the night is often the recognition of the people off the playing arena that contribute to making the Pigeons work.

The Godfathers Award, for contribution to the club over the duration, went to Scott Pendergast. Scott’s contribution is widespread, whether that be as founding and driving force with Dave Woodburn to make Women’s football happen in the community, to ensuring the junior program is well resourced, to looking after and catering for the needs of the senior football club’s teams each week and every training session.

The John Dempsey Memorial Best Clubperson Award was awarded to Caitlin Jaques. John Dempsey’s contribution to the Pigeons came in an off-field role in particular the efforts to secure the Grove complex and new clubrooms in the 1960s.

In a similar vane, Cait’s contribution is extensive to the off-field successes of the club as she looks after catering match days and numerous other tasks without fuss and simple efficiency.

The Club’s President Ross Mulquiney expressed to all present how fortunate the Pigeons are to have such a contributor.

However, the night’s highlight was yet to come with dual premiership coach Chris Kennedy called to the stage to present Scott Jaques his life membership.

Scott’s contribution to the club has been significant both in duration and scope: player, team manager roles, board member, umpire and President – you name it and Scott has filled the role.

It was wonderful to see a room filled with many of Scott’s contemporaries and the joy they had is Scott so truly recognised.

Whilst the 2021 season did not conclude in the traditional finals and rush due to the pandemic, it served as a reminder to all that sporting clubs are a place which help the community to come together and that being part of a club and contributing to it provides you not only the opportunity to succeed but to also to be part of others’ success, together, as a club.

Award Winners

Bella Pelle Netball Awards ~ Most votes from opposition coaches

A Grade - Sarah Senini and Annalise Grinter. B Grade - Caitlin O’Dwyer.

C Grade - Eliana Martin.

Under 17 Netball

B&F - Chloe Wheaton.

R/U - Morgan McRae.

Coaches Award - Georgie Hemphill.

Thirds Football

B&F - Ben Woodburn.