Pittwater Life April 2024 Issue

as a coach and one year as
vice-president in 2023; he
says their biggest challenge
currently relates to the club’s
playing field.
“We’re constantly under
pressure to share the field
with soccer, rugby union and
cricket, but the field itself
also needs a lot of work,” he
says. “Because it was built
on what was originally a
tip, the drainage is terrible.
The season before last we
managed one home game all
year because of the water.
“The other thing we want
to achieve is to build a ladies’
dressing room. That will take
around 18 months to two
years, hopefully. They need
better facilities.
“But we have some great
sponsors in LJ Hooker Avalon
Beach, Johnson Brothers Mitre
10, Avalon RSL, Precision
Tree Services and many other
local businesses. In fact,
this year we’ve been able to
produce $32,000 worth of
merchandise which will go
to all of our players. All the
sponsors said yes to helping.
“We have 18 teams at the
moment and that includes six
female tag teams.”
Which is where Jazmin
comes into her own and is
very much the future of the
club. At only 22, she has
already been secretary for two
years and has a huge passion
for girls playing rugby league.
“In the first year we started
the girls game here, we had
three teams – two Under-12s
and an Under-14s. Now we
have six – three Under-12s,
and Under-14s, -16s and -18s.
“At Mona Vale there are 13
female teams,” adds Jazmin.
“That’s 52 per cent of their
players, so we still have some
way to go.”
Although not that far, one
might argue.
Certainly the club have come
a long way in the past 60 years,
and with 700 kids playing
on Friday nights in Summer,
they are in a great place. With
people like Brian, Dick, Paul,
Ian and Jazmin, and the host
of other volunteers, the club
will no doubt be around to
celebrate 100 years.
*More info head to
avalonbulldogs.com.au
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2024 37