Last night’s 2022 Season Launch was resounding success, which was enhanced by the announcement of new Club Captains.
Joel Di Natale and Samantha Baisas are the new captains for our Senior Mens and Women’s teams, while Nic Plevritis, Jayden Rodwell and Nate Dear will share the captaincy for the Under19s. Mick DeFontenay and Andreas Baruhas will continue as captains of the Reserves and Thirds respectively.
Special guests included Bayside City Council Mayor Alex del Porto, Councillors Lawrence Evans and Clarke Martin, VAFA Chief Executive Brett Connell, Mercedes-Benz Brighton Dealer Principal Geoff Quirk and Steve Edmunds, Managing Director of Bruce Edmunds and Associates. Steve Clarke from Principal Sponsor Askin Performance Panels was an apology due to business commitments.
A very special guest was former Shark Zoe Barbakos who was recently signed by Hawthorn FC to play in the AFLW.
In his address, Club President Terry Lucas was enthusiastic about the forthcoming season after two covid interrupted and shortened seasons. Terry was full of praise for those sponsors who have stayed loyal and supportive and the players who have done likewise. Terry went on to say, “there is no stronger set of values than those of loyalty and respect.” At the end of his address Terry presented the coveted 2021 Steve Caffyn ‘Best Club Person’ award to hard working club person Jane Lapa who was absent from last year’s Best & Fairest awards.
The coaches (Guy McKenna, Darryl Behrendorff & Craig Phillips) also announced their leadership groups for the season They are as follows.
Seniors Mens:
Joel Di Natale (Captain), Cal Linehan, Riley Mihailovic, James Taylor, Josh Ward, Lewis Diggins, Josh Trew, Tom Spencer & Matt Petering (Players Representative)
Senior Womens:
Sam Baisas (Captain), Amelia Bartlem, Zoe Larrieu, Sarah Collins, Ella Southgate, Sienna Tedde, Lauren Haringsma, Jemima Savage (Junior Development) & Ellen Wood (Players Representative)
Under 19s:
Nic Plevritis (co-Captain), Nate Dear (co-Captain), Jayden Rodwell (co-Captain), Liam Collins, Gabe Finnegan & Jake Johnson
We wish all teams the very best for the start for the season, which kicks off tonight @ 7pm with our Thirds taking on St Bedes at Oak St. Come on down and give the boys some rousing support.
Fins up and Go Sharks!
