2023 Major Club Awards 

Forest Lions’ AGM was held on 27 November 2022, and as a result, the following Committee positions have been filled for 2023:

FOREST LIONS COMMITTEE POSITIONS 2023

President/s – Ken Digney & Chris Mackinlay

Vice President/s – Jonathon Hall & Josh Gaughan

Secretary – Danielle White

Registrar – Samantha Woolf

Treasurer – Gail Cowling

General Committee – Kate Mercer, Derek Whelan, Steve Dixon, Jason Cowling, Mathew Pounsett

Sponsorship Co Ordinator – Jason Cowling

Manager’s Co-Ordinator – Kate Mercer

Canteen Manager – Tanya Gaughan

Ground Manager – Steve Dixon

While the above shows the positions elected to formally assist the Club in 2023, that should not stop you from offering to help where possible and if you are able. The Club and Committee is reliant on volunteers for us to be able to arrange coaches, schedule training, merchandise, as well as run Game days at Lionel Watts. Our Club has had great success over the past years due to the efforts of our volunteers and players.

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW PRESIDENTS

 My name is Ken Digney, and I have been part of The Forest Lions JAFC for the past 6 years – coaching, coordinating and developing the Youth Girls Program and have also been Vice President for the last 3 years.  Having 3 children play and still playing at this fantastic community-based AFL club, I am feeling quite privileged to have been appointed into a joint President role, with Chris.

Chris Mackinlay was a Forest Lion Junior in the 1990’s and now having gone full circle with his children having played at the club for over the last 15 years, Chris has also coached and managed teams, as well as being part of the Committee for the last 7 years.

We are both humbled and excited to have been appointed as Joint Presidents for the 2023 season.

Chris and I played AFL for many years together at the Manly Wolves and both have a vast knowledge of football and club management. We look forward to continuing the growth and direction that Jonathon Hall has guided us over the past 6 years.  Jono’s presidential legacy will be long remembered by all involved with the Club and is something that we will endeavour to continue, respect, and try to achieve the same positive outcomes for the kids, their families and the game of Aussie Rules. We would like to acknowledge the amazing job that Jono has done as President over the last 6 Years. The Committee for 2023 are committed to delivering the best experience that is possible for your kids to enjoy playing AFL for the Forest Lions.

Both of us are available to discuss any idea’s, suggestions, or issues that you might have and can be contacted at president@forestafl.com.au  or on game days.

We would like to welcome everyone back to the Forest Lions JAFC and we are looking forward to a big 2023.

2022 GRAND FINAL WINNERS AND YEAR WRAP-UP

Congratulations to our U18-1 Girls team.  They were undefeated for 2022 and for the past 3 seasons.  The Club is very proud of this team not just for their success on the field but more so for the fact that most of this team have been together since they were 13 and playing in the first U15 Youth Girls competition 5 years ago.  They used to get thrashed each week, however they lead by example by showing what is achievable when a group of talented young people stick together and form a strong team bond.

In season 2022, 6 of our 11 eligible teams made the finals, 2 all the way to the Grand Final.

We say “see you later” to 29 players this year as they hopefully move on to senior footy.  These players have been great ambassadors of the Club, with a number of them playing together since the very junior grades including Auskick:

Tai A                            Lachlan H                Tove N              Charlise S

Oliver A                        Aidan H                   Jordan P          George T

William A                     Matthew H               Ocean P           Oliver T

Kira B                          Lukas J                    Ty P                  Gabriel VE

Jessica B                    Austin L                    Samara R         Dashiell vR

issabella D                  Jessica M                Jayme S           Hamish W

Liam G                        Charlie M                 Peggy S           Hannah W

Lachlan G

Congratulation to all those that reached 10, 100 and 150 game milestones throughout the year at Forest Lions.

A fantastic achievement to the following players on over 100 games and 10 year memberships:

10 Years+ Milestone Recognition

10 years – 109 games – Hamish W

10 years – 108 games – Aiden H

11 years – 168 games – Lachlan H

11 years – 146 games – Ty P

12 years – 155 games – Lukas J

Thank you to the Club Committee and all our amazing volunteers that keep our Club ticking over and all of the players that represent Forest Lions on the field each week.