The club will start training for the 2012 season on Tuesday the 17th of January. The session will begin at 5.30. We will have a barbie and a few drinks afterwards. If you are in town at the moment, try to make an effort to get down.

If you have any mates who haven’t played before and are keen to have a go at a new sport encourage them to come along as well – if they have played before even better.

Get down to Bellevue and start getting into shape, you’ll be glad you did once the season kicks off.

From the Armidale Express, 23/12/2011
New England Nomads’ AFL coach Brendan Meehan’s four year reign is over after he confirmed he would not lead the club into 2012.

Citing a need for a fresh direction at the club and wanting to put more time into his plumbing business on weekends, Meehan said the time is right for a new mentor. “I’ve had a wonderful four years with the Nomads and thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching the side,” he said. “I’m just at the stage now where I want to put more time into my family and business which would leave me less time to be able to be committed to the coaching side of things. I’m still really passionate about the future of the Nomads and I’m sure I’ll attend a few games next year through out the season.” More »

The 2011 Nomads’ Presentations at the Wicklow Hotel saw Hamish Pearce receive both the Best and Fairest and Players’ Player awards for the second year in succession. Hamish has consistently been one of the best players in the Essential Energy TAFL competition over the last two seasons and his success at the club’s awards came as no surprise and was greatly deserved.

The depth in the Nomads’ playing squad for 2011 was shown in the large number of players that polled in one or both of the Best and Fairest and Players’ Player votes.

The annual award winners for 2011 were:

• Best & Fairest: Hamish Pearce
• B&F Runner-up: Johnathon Frost
• Players’ player: Hamish Pearce
• Clubman: David Bioletti
• Most improved: Omphile Temoso
• Best 1st year player: Matt Woodward
• Most consistent: Clint Ballagh
• Most determined: Hamish Ross
• Goalkicker: David Richards

Congratulations to all concerned.

The annual Dale award went to Calla Teseling for a number of wacky ‘planking’ incidents.

The club AGM was held at the Wicklow Hotel on October 15. The following office bearers were elected:

• President: Adrian Walsh
• Vice-President: Gray Malone
• Secretary: Amy Cosby
• Treasurer: Caleb Dobos

Nick Schultz, Hamish Pearce and Warren Redhead stood down from the committee
and were replaced by Brendan Meehan, Dan Perry and Matt Woodward. They join David Bioletti and Ben Page as ordinary members of the 2012 committee.

Thanks to the outgoing committee members and congratulations and good luck to the 2012 committee.

The major prize in this year’s end of season raffle will be a Carlton guernsey signed by the 2011 Carlton squad. There will also be a variety of minor prizes. The draw will take place at the Nomads presentation night on 15 October at the Wicklow Hotel. Winners will be notified if not in attendance.

Tickets cost $2 each, or six for $10, and can be bought from committee and club members or, for out-of-towners, via a bank transfer to:
BSB: 932000
A/C: 691747
Name: New England Nomads
In the comment/note section please put ‘raffle [your name]‘ in order that the payment can be easily identified. If purchasing tickets via bank transfer, please also email treasurer@newenglandnomads.net including contact details and the number of tickets being ordered so that the payment can be checked, tickets allocated and contact can be made in the event of you winning.

If you are able to sell some tickets, please contact Caleb Dobos at the above address.