January Bites
Bankstown Sports Alumni Appointed Head Coach for 2024 Paris Olympics
A former Bankstown Sports Swimming Club member has been appointed Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Water Polo team.
Rebecca Rippon will take the team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Bankstown local began her sporting career at Birrong Pool at age 10, before going on to become an Olympic bronze medallist who has played 266 test matches for Australia.
Rebecca says her experience coaching various swimming programs and squads at Birrong is what kick-started her coaching career.
“The skills and knowledge I got from swim coaching was in-part technical, but I learned more about group dynamics and managing interpersonal relationships within a squad. I learned a lot about how to motivate and how to bring out the best in people, and a lot of the ‘soft’ skills you need when leading professional athletes,” she said.
Rebecca says she still keeps in touch with her Birrong pool squad mates.
“We all caught up a few weeks ago actually. It was the old Bankstown crew which has always had a really strong connection, and we try and get together as regularly as we can. We all talk about it a lot, how our time at Birrong was the time of our lives. We’re all still friends and we look back at that and think we’re so lucky to have had that as kids. We still value those friendships and the connections we made, and I think we all try and recreate that for the kids we are coaching and working with now. It’s that sense of community and connection”.
A Note from Molong Bowling Club
In December last year, ClubsNSW put out a call to member clubs to assist with the rebuild of Molong Bowling Club in the state’s Central West after the venue was devastated by floods. ClubsNSW also donated a prize for the Club’s fundraising raffle.
Recently, ClubsNSW received a heartwarming update from the Club’s Treasurer Yvonne Clyde:
“Firstly, our Club would like to thank ClubsNSW for their assistance in procuring the major prize for our raffle.We made $1450 on the raffle. It may not sound a lot for Sydney people, but when you only have a community of 2000 people we are over the moon with this amount.
The prize to Western Plains Zoo was won by Mrs Merrilyn Gosper, who with her husband are very strong supporters of our Club.
Orange Ex Services Club gave us an excellent monetary donation, which will be put to use to purchase equipment for our kitchen.
Catalina Country Club gave us a donation which we were able to use to purchase a small cool room so we could sell refreshments when we had bowls days.
Club Mudgee has also offered assistance, though we are yet to contact them to see what they have available.
We would also like to acknowledge that Revesby Workers Club contacted us regarding used equipment.
The builders are hoping to commence work in 10 days' time, so hopefully in the not-too-distant future we will be up and running as a Club again.
Once again thank you to ClubsNSW and to our industry.”
Local MP Congratulates Club Leader on 20-Year Tenure at the Helm
The NSW Member for the Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall MP, has taken to social media to congratulate Glen Innes Services Club General Manager Pat Lonergan on reaching 20 years at the helm of the Club.
In a post on Facebook, Adam congratulated Pat on his contribution to the community via the Club, writing that Pat ensured the Club was always supporting local events.
“Under Pat’s leadership there is hardly a local community event, activity or organisation that isn’t directly or indirectly supported by the Services Club,” Adam wrote.
“Leading from the front and never afraid to roll up his sleeves, Pat has grown the club over the years, ably supported by some brilliant staff, including Operations Manager Brodie (BJ) Hutchison.”
The celebration comes with the news of Pat’s intention to step down from his role on 5 July this year – 20 years to the day since he signed on at the Club. We congratulate Pat and thank him for his work in the industry and his community!
