Narrabri Rugby Club is well and truly in safe hands for another 12 months after Mick Coffey was re-elected as its president at the Blue Boars’ annual general meeting which was held at Dangar Park last Wednesday.
The well-attended meeting included some attendees who were stuck at home due to flooding in the Narrabri Shire but were able to take part via Zoom.
“It was very well-attended,” Coffey said.
“I had a few concerns earlier in the week with quite a lot of our members being affected by flood, as well as the fact, as crazy as it sounds, there are still some headers moving around and are getting a bit of harvest done.
“Footy’s also been over for a fair bit of time now and is not on the radar, then being December and all the rest I thought it may not be well-attended but it was good.”
Since becoming the Blue Boars’ president at the 2019 annual general meeting, Coffey has steered the club through the significant challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, has overseen the re-structuring of the club’s sponsorship and was also at the helm when the Blue Boars hosted the successful festival of rugby in February.
The club has quite simply thrived as a result of the efforts of Coffey and his fellow committee members.
That includes a hard-working and dedicated executive which for a third consecutive season will remain unchanged as it features Tim Whan (vice-president), Amanda Fowler (secretary), Daniel Kahl (assistant secretary) and Peter Rozendaal (treasurer).
“I’m really pleased with that,” Coffey said.
“We work really well together.
“Amanda is going into her 15th and final year as secretary. She’s going to do one more year and put some processes in place for a seamless transition for whoever may follow her in 12 months’ time.
“It’s a big relief to have the same five.
“It functions well and now no one is going through a settling in period, it’s just business as usual for us.”
The Blue Boars’ general committee members include Ben Redfern, Alex Reed, Ash Eveleigh, Linton Grumley, Simon Haire, Jenny Schwager, Todd Farrer and Tristan Petty.
“I’m really pleased with that too,” Coffey said.
“They are all passionate Blue Boars who all bring different skill sets that we will be able to utilise.
“They will all be happy to come forward, speak up and have opinions.
“That’s what keeps a club really moving forward, a diverse group of people on the committee to make sure that every aspect is covered on all issues.
“I’m really excited moving forward.”
Helen Cameron, Peter McDonnell and James Kahl were also re-elected to continue in their roles as club patrons.
The club hosted its presentation awards event for the 2021 season at the Tourist Hotel on Sunday.
After farewelling the past 12 months in style, the Blue Boars have now turned their attention towards the 2022 campaign.
Coffey told The Courier he wanted to bring home the premierships in as many grades as possible next year, but first wanted to see the one thing that has alluded him during his time as Blue Boars president finally unfold.
“First and foremost I want to get a full season of rugby in,” he said after two years of abandoned seasons, one fully and the most recent with the finals series just weeks away.
“The cherry on top would obviously be bringing some premierships home to Dangar Park.
“As far as I’m aware there’s no big losses or gains to announce at this point in time. That’s probably more something we’ll see in the pre-season whenever that starts in the New Year.
“At this point in time, I’m expecting us to have a pretty similar-looking lineup so we should be right amongst it this year.”
Expressions of interest for coaching roles remain open until this Sunday, December 12, which Coffey said the club decided on to afford all potential candidates the chance to run their eyes over the committee and ensure they were happy with its makeup.
The club plans to announce its four coaches following a meeting the next day on Monday, December 13.
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