All 3 senior grades did well with the newly minted 3rd grade side taking out the premiership in an impressive win over Vikings at WIN Stadium. Shoals Juniors also performed well and will be a strong force next season.

A highlight of the meeting was the nomination for President Greg Murphy to be elected a Life Member of the club. This nomination was unanimously supported by the members and was richly deserved as Greg has been a tireless and innovative worker for the Shoalies from his involvement with the Juniors through to his current role.

All the main managers placed a report before the meeting and each gave a verbal presentation. There was without exception a strong focus on the wellbeing of the club and a driving enthusiasm to make the Club’s 50th Anniversary year of 2018 a great success. The President’s Report stated:

Administration and Finance: Thanks to Paul Dean for fulfilling the Secretary’s role with enthusiasm and efficiency. Also Paul kept up his very high standard match reports throughout the season. Peter Dun, thanks for your contribution as Treasurer, the accounts are in order and show that we are in a sound financial position. The fundraising opportunities which we have in 2018 will reinforce this. Leigh Wallace has once again secured sponsorships to finance the Club. The outlook for fundraising for 2018 is less intense than 2017. We have secured a rodeo to be held on the Club grounds on 30/12/17, with some good fundraising opportunities.

Senior Rugby: 2017 can be considered a successful season. The establishment of our gym, the participation in preseason sevens competitions, a recruiting drive and the re-emergence of the thirds team combined to energise our Club for 2017. Congratulations to our Thirds team on a very successful season. Special thanks to Ben Dennis and a few of  the “old heads “ who led this rebirth.

Congratulations and thanks to Paul Connor, Paul Clements, Kees Quinten, Dale Spresser, Ron Willett, Dave Selby, Ben and Josh Dennis, Liam Allen and Tom Aney for making the season’s on field efforts happen with a minimum of fuss.

Junior Rugby: Our juniors are in a building phase. The season began with a Sevens Competition for school based teams in U10 & U14 age groups. This comp helped to recruit some players to boost our numbers in our U11, U13 and U15 teams.

Our Second XV (U15) team were desperately unlucky by being eliminated from the Grand final on a count back due to a draw in the final. Top effort to players, coach (Craig Maddinson) and parents. Our U13’s lads enjoyed their season. Well done Rai Winkler, players and parents. Congratulations to Chris Coulthart and his U11’s on a successful season. Also thanks to the parents who supported these efforts.

Thanks to Board Members Craig Gurney, Doug (well backed up by Leah) Rattey and Emma Maddinson  for their efforts in organizing our juniors season. Also thanks to Carol Bateman for your efforts as Registrar. Special thanks to the Juniors parents, supporters and players for their efforts during a big fund raising year.

Facilities, Canteen and Bar: The canteen traded profitably during the season thanks to a super effort from Emma Maddinson and her band of helpers.  Thanks to Mark Nicolle who ran the bar very efficiently, with good financial results.Our ground and other facilities always looked great, well done Chris Watts, Sam Watts and Graeme Davies and other helpers.

Social and special events: Thanks to all who helped organise the many social events held after (sometimes very long after) our home matches. Digger Day was the usual highlight of our season. Other Clubs in our district are envious of our Digger Day tradition. Over $8000 was raised to assist our Returned Servicemen and Women. As usual the day ran with the precision to which we have been accustomed, well done and thanks to Rick Meehan and the others who assist each year. Honoured guests were Keith Payne VC, Willie Apiata VC, Timothy Britten CV and Allan Sparkes CV. Thanks to these gentlemen, who added great character to Digger Day, hope to see you all in 2018.

Our 50th Anniversary year preparations are well under way. Thanks to Paul Dean, Greg Horton, Gordon Clark, Grahame Davies and the others who are planning the year’s events, culminating in a weekend of events on the 2018 June long weekend. A special feature of 2017 was the CLUB effort at  fundraising events which included the Rodeo, Nitro Circus, U12,13,14 NSW Country Championships and the Bull Riders. All were successful fundraisers. Thanks to all volunteers.

2018: We are preparing in earnest for 2018. We have our seniors coaching and managing team in place with Firsts coaches being Paul Connor and Paul Clements, manager Kees Quinten. Seconds coaching/managing team of Dale Spresser, Ron Willett and Dave Selby.Ben Dennis as captain coach of the thirsty Thirds.

Discussions have begun to arrange an after season tour in 2018, possibly to USA. Consideration should be given to a Junior trip away at the end of 2018 season. We have a sevens team entered in the Fishers Ghost Sevens and Kiama sevens and possibly one other comp. The Schools based Sevens comp will be run again in March and April 2018 to promote our Juniors for 2018.

The main Board positions were filled at this meeting which augurs well for next season. The Club was saddened by the recent news that Dr. Bill Ryan passed away. Dr. Ryan was a staunch supporter of the club over its 50 years being a patron for many of the past years. Dr. Ryan was also one of the Club’s Founding Four that brought the Club into existence from that meeting in late 1967.