Message for UNEANFC Old Boys & Girls
Rod ‘Rocket’ Gillett, Chairman UNEANFC Old Boys & Girls
This year the New England Nomads will celebrate 50 years of Australian Football in New England. The Nomads has embraced the history and traditions of its antecedent club, the University of New England Australian National Football Club, which started football in the area in 1962.
After hubris for a few years in the mid-1990s the Nomads were formed in 1998 to continue the tradition. The colours were the same with the guernsey design a little different, but the intent and spirit was the same: To enjoy and share the joy of playing the indigenous game in New England has been the common aim. Based on these metrics we are all cut from the same cloth.
Speaking of cloth, the old boys and girls have donated the funds to the Nomads for the club’s players to wear a 50th year commemorative jumper featuring the letters UNEANFC on the back and Celebrating 50 years of AFL at UNE ~ 2012 on the front.
The Nomads and the Old Boys & Girls have put together a program of activities and events to celebrate 50 years of Australian Football in New England. The key events are:
| 20 April: | Guernsey presentation | Wicklow Hotel, 7pm |
| 4 August: | Old Boys & Girls Day | Nomads v Inverell Saints, Bellevue Oval, 2pm; and Nomads Ball, Wicklow Hotel, evening |
Additionally, the Nomads website will feature historical pieces and reminiscences from Old Boys and Girls. The first piece by club founder, Rob Cason, will focus on the first game in Armidale.
An invitation is extended to all old boys and girls of both the UNEANFC and the Nomads to attend these functions to celebrate 50 years of Australian Football in New England. Please pass the news on to former team-mates and supporters to ensure they can join in the chorus. Keep an eye on this web site for updates on the celebrations.
May I take this opportunity on behalf of all the club elders to wish the Nomads best wishes for the coming season. The last time we had a major event, the Reunion Dinner in Melbourne in 2003, the Nomads won the premiership. We trust the players can achieve a similar result in season 2012!
