John and Dean Mumm, Matt Aubrey and Paul Dearlove
The first event in the 2019 Friends of Sydney University Football Club calendar took place last week.
Hosted by KPMG at their Barangaroo offices, there was a large turnout of Members of the Friends at the function. The event was focussed on the mentoring of SUFC players, both male and female.
Two SUFC Stalwarts – Scott Stumbles and Pat Howard
Twelve players attended the function, some Wallabies and some Wallaroos, but also representatives of all SUFC grades. The attendees were privileged to hear from Friends’ President, David Mortimer AO, who briefed the group on the status of mentoring the players with approximately 28 players already being linked up with 35 Friends’ Members.
Tom Robertson and Don Marples
SUFC President David Lyons gave an update of Club matters, including the highly successful tour to New Zealand where the players played against strong teams from the Highlanders and the Crusaders.
Dane McCarthy, Tony and Tess Mulveney
Former 1st Grade Captain, Paul Dearlove, gave a thoughtful presentation on the difficulties that professional players face when entering the workforce and offering some strong advice on managing that transition.
Author Paul Sheehan gave an amusing introduction to keynote speaker, Jim Cooney, the owner of the 2017 winner and record holder of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Comanche. Jim emphasized the need for teamwork and leadership and made constant references to the similarities to the key components of both high performance yacht racing and a successful rugby team.
Peter Hemming, John Hildebrand and Madda Wilson
After the formalities, there was an opportunity for the players to interact with the Friends’ Members. All agreed that it was an excellent evening and thanks to the Friends and the players who participated.
The next Friends’ event with be combined with the members of the Sydney University Football Club Foundation at the home game against Manly on Saturday, 15th June.
Jim Cooney, Peter Fenwicke and Rear Admiral Lee Goddard