Board Teamtalks
31 March 2010
by Wayne McTague - Club Chairman
"Greetings to all members of the club, both old and new, from the Executive. What has been a very busy start to the season has seen Junior numbers increase by 5 % and senior numbers up by a massive 60 % (11 teams last year to 17 this year). While this increase has seen us stretched to accommodate everything that goes with setting up the club for the season, we would like to thank everyone for their patience as we move toward another thrilling year of football. The Bexley clubrooms will once again open after games on Saturday as well as Sunday, and Wednesday and Thursday nights, with the addition of EFTPOS and Sky TV. This year Tracy Ager has been appointed Bar Manager for Saturdays. Many thanks to Barry McTague who has held the fort in previous years. To all teams, Junior and Senior, all the best for the season ahead. In what has been our best start to any season the Womens' Premiers, Division 2 and Men's Reserve teams all won their respective pre-season tournaments and the Premier Men's came 6th, whilst the boys 15th Grade side are this weekend competing in the national finals of the Nike Cup competition in Auckland, having won the regional play off 4-0 over Nelson. Go you good things - that's the Spirit!"
28 March 2008
by Steve Ager and Grant Chellew
Why the Merger?
There are two clubs in the Eastern Suburbs, which both have a proud history of playing football at the highest level with players at not only National League football, but representing their country as well. Unfortunately this was some years ago now, and from both clubs' point of view the last few years have been hard work for the few that seemed to be doing all the hard work. Although most of the senior teams were reasonably successful, rightly or wrongly your club is judged on the Saturday First Team results. Over the last few years our first team results have been disappointing which also makes it hard to attract people to do the work, so it then became apparent that it was time to look at what was best for New Brighton AFC.
How the merger came about
Talks of a merger have been ongoing for many years and usually over a few beers when one of the New Brighton or Rangers teams played each other. This is usually how it finished, over a few beers, with everyone saying that it was a good idea, but no one committing to carry it through. In July 2007 a meeting was held at Linfield Sports with Grant, Mark Davison and John Bates from Rangers and Tony, Steve, John Swallow, Paul Bradshaw and Tony Green from New Brighton. Also in attendance was Dave Sloss from Linfield Sports.
After this first meeting, it was surprisingly pleasing to see how close both Clubs were in their thoughts on a merger. The progress made by the working party was so positive that several meetings were called by both Clubs to get their members' input into the idea. Once again the feedback from both Clubs was very positive. So in September, both Clubs called special meetings to vote on the possibility of entering into a joint venture - both Clubs were unanimous in the vote for yes.
Where to from there?
It was agreed that a Board of nine was to be set up, being made up of 4 members from Rangers, 4 members from New Brighton and one Independent Chairman. One of the few things that have not been implemented so far, has been the Independent Chairman - but the way this Board has worked together in the first few months of Coastal Spirit's brief history is a credit to the commitment & dedication of the new Board and their willingness to work together for the good of the new Club. Gareth Turnbull was appointed to the Development role in February 2008 and hit the ground running.
So let's all get behind every team at Coastal Spirit to make this the best club!