Immanuel College Old Scholars Soccer Club
President’s Report 2006
The Adelaide urban folk band Goldstein wrote the lyric ‘hey shove over, I’m jumping on board this wagon’. This lyrical phrase could quite easily be the soundtrack to the second season of the Immanuel College Old Scholars Soccer Club. In 2006 the Doves wagon has gathered momentum and shows no sign of slowing down.
Last season I stated that 2006 should be a year that our soccer club strives for greater on field success and strengthens the club culture that is already in place. In the following report you will agree that these objectives have been met.
At the beginning of this year we bid farewell to such quality players as Dale Gosden, Tak Wa Tai, Simon Jolly, Matthew Williams, Eddie Leung, Matt Balic and our inaugural Golden Boot Aaron Spirdinoff.
Many sections of the press predicted doom and gloom for the Doves in 06, however these names were ably replaced by the likes of Tim Dabrowski, Jimmy Plant, Jun Ikeo, Hendrik Dueringer, Andrew Humby, Matt Turnbull, Andrew McCouaig and Brenton Prosser. With such a large turnaround in personnel it was very pleasing to see the percentage of old scholars in our playing roster rise above last season’s statistics.
In 2006 the Doves finished in 6th position with 9 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses and managed to get into the quarter final of the Collegiate Cup. If you compare this to 2005 statistics of 2 wins 6 draws and 8 losses and an elimination in the first round of the Collegiate Cup you must admit that it’s mission accomplished in regard to on field results. My Congratulations to Scotch College who were 2006 A2 CSL champions with 17 wins, two draws and three losses.
Club culture is always hard to define, however down at the nest our culture is easily recognised. Read our weekly dove tales or sample the home game BBQ and post game drinks. Join in and sing the club song or reminisce with the old timers about that historic Jury vs. Guild game. Our rotation roster has for the past two seasons produced a competitive side and ingrained the values of equality and leadership within all members of the playing group. No matter where our club heads in the future we have developed a very solid foundation built around quality people and enduring values.
Many thanks must go to the Board of 2006 for their efforts steering this wagon in the right direction.
Adam Hooper - President
Ryan McKee – Vice President
Ben Hooper – Secretary
Michael Allan – Treasurer
David McCouaig– Board Member
Ben Willsmore - Board Member
We are again in a healthy financial position and judging by the numbers attending
the 2007-preseason, the doves look set to expand to two sides.
I would like to thank Jan Pfitzner for the exceptional job he did as coach this season. Ably assisted by David McCouaig the two of them often resemble the classic ‘good cop bad cop’ duo at training. I hope Jan and Dave will continue to lead and educate the playing group in the years to come.
Many thanks must go to Marc Goetz for his work in creating our web site. The site has received excellent reviews from the school and the general public and has resulted in several new members over the summer break. I would also like to acknowledge the service of Juan Hooper for his home game barbeque and drinks stall, which is greatly appreciated by all at the club and raised a total of $240 in 2006.
I thank Immanuel College for its support and the use of the Morphett Road pitch for training and the Old Scholars Oval for game day. Many thanks to Ivan Christian and Matthew Williams for their assistance in creating closer links with the old scholars association and the school in general. We were very proud to provide the school’s soccer program with a donation this year that was used for individual student trophies and a perpetual shield.
Finally, many thanks must go to the families, friends and fans for their support throughout the season. We are looking forward to seeing you all again next year, when the mighty Immanuel Doves wagon rolls on - I can’t wait.
Adam Hooper
ICOS Soccer Club President