PRESIDENT Tony Dooley reflected on a remarkable 2018 season at the ACE annual general meeting this week – and gave a glimpse into the future.
On the field, it was the best in ACE’s 55-year history. “An unparalleled success,” was how Mr Dooley described it.
ACE won the Senior (pictured) and Reserves (below) Brisbane Premier League titles – and reached the grand finals. The Under 18s won the Division One crown and their final.
Financially, ACE reported a “steady profit” and has a “very healthy bank balance sheet and cash at the bank”, but work continues on ways to reduce expenditure,
Many of the 15 ACE committee were returned to their roles and several new positions were filled. Only two remain vacant, at the time of writing.
“All the club’s junior BYPL teams performed admirably” added Mr Dooley, with several other premierships and grand finals in the boys and girls.
“Also pleasing for me was the resurgence in numbers for the ACE Kindy program which topped the 100 mark. The atmosphere on a Saturday morning is fantastic.
“At the other end of the spectrum, our overage numbers continue to grow and next year will see us host a three-day carnival for these age groups.
“Despite being overlooked for QPL in 2018, ACE again proved how resilient we are and the results on the field endorsed our strategy of coach education.”
“The programs have produced excellent results with 2018 additional funds invested in our mini roo and junior coaches in grassroots and introductory courses.
“Numbers for 2019 trials in all age groups have surpassed our expectations and all our BYPL teams have been selected and will be extremely competitive.”
Off the field, ACE has grant funding to replace dugouts on fields one and two at Brendale, safety netting behind the road-end goal at Brendale and portable goals.
A major two-year sponsorship deal has been secured with McDonald’s Albany Creek and discussions are underway for an all-weather surface over the netball courts at Wolter Park.
Mr Dooley thanked all caches, players, committee members, volunteers and staff for their commitment and dedication to ACE.
