Page 640 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

With regard to the playing sides of our club, I comment as follows:

Juniors - for Parkside Football Club to field u/10's and u/12's, to me, is astonishing. The efforts that
Ray Barber, along with David Considine and helpers, put in to have these sides needs the greatest
acknowledgement. If we have some boys next year, it is possible that we may be able to extend to
u/14 as well.

Again, a fantastic job done by all concerned

Women’s teams - once again, the Parkside Football Club women’s sides had a very successful year.

The seniors, under the coaching of Kerry Saunders, were premiers for the second year running and
the challenge is now for them to become the first side in the seniors to win three consecutive flags. I
know Kerry will leave no stone unturned to achieve this honour.

The reserves also had a successful year in reaching the grand final, however unfortunately were
beaten by five points. Peter Brown is to be congratulated on his first year as coach, and I am sure he
will want to take his side one step further next year.

Overall, the club congratulates all concerned with the women’s teams.

Reserves - one can only marvel at the turnaround that took place with this side this year. To cope a
thrashing in the first game that would have destroyed the morale of any side, and then end up equal
fourth, sixth on percentage, was unreal. I have no doubt that had the seniors, who were devastated
by injuries, not raided the reserves for players, and then they would have been serious contenders
for a grand final position. To Goran, Arthur Vouthas and Paul Barbuto, you are to be congratulated
on your efforts with the reserves.

Seniors - well what can you say? If someone had offered us an 11/7 result for the year at the start of
the year then we would have taken it gladly. The efforts of John Barbuto cannot go unrecognised.
His late appointment, lack of numbers to properly prepare the side pre-season, being told by the
committee that he had to run the football side of the club all by himself, failed to dent his
enthusiasm or commitment to the job of senior coach. It is fair to say that when we were sitting in
third spot on the ladder mid-year, we all got carried away with the results and lost sight of our
yearlong targets.

The second half of the season was greatly affected by injuries to our side. It saw key players out for
extended periods. Had we been able to hold our side together, then there is no doubt we would
have finished in the top five and been a flag contender.

It is disappointing that John has decided not to go ahead and accept the clubs offer to coach in
season 2002. However, personally I do understand his reasons.

To John, I say a very big thank you for your efforts in season 2001. It was a season that I am sure we
as a club would not have been part of, but for your efforts. I wish you well in your future football
career, and state that Parkside is your home and you will always be welcome here.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider