Charlesworth Nuts owner to step down as Flagstaff Hill Football Club president after 16 years
When Charlesworth Nuts owner Brett Charlesworth took over as Flagstaff Hill president, the club had not won an A-grade flag since 1985. Now he is leaving knowing the Falcons are in a strong position with a shot at a three-peat of top-tier titles this Saturday.
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HE’S been nuts about Flagstaff Hill for more than a decade but after his beloved club plays in this weekend’s Southern Football League grand final, Brett Charlesworth will step down as its president.
Charlesworth, owner of SA family business Charlesworth Nuts, has decided to hand over the reins after 16 years in the role at the Falcons.
The 58 year old says it is time to inject fresh blood into the club – and he also wants to free himself up to work on business expansion plans.
When Charlesworth took over as president, the club had about eight junior teams and had not won an A-grade flag since 1985.
Now he is leaving knowing the Falcons are in a strong position with nine more junior squads, a further 22 underage premierships and a shot at claiming a three-peat of top-tier titles this Saturday.
“I went from being a junior parent to my middle son, Kain, to the president of the club overnight and I’ve been there ever since,” Charlesworth, of Flagstaff Hill, says.
“From day one, I had a pretty clear vision of what we wanted to achieve at the footy club.
“I really wanted to build a strong foundation and get the culture right.
“We’ve just been working step-by-step, ticking off lots of boxes as we went along the way to
the point where now we are enjoying the greatest success the club has ever had.
“I guess it’s a good time for some fresh ideas to come in and a different approach to things.”
Charlesworth says making the Falcons’ junior teams strong, coupled with putting good people into leadership positions, has contributed to the club’s recent success.
But he regards the Flaggies’ 31-year, drought-breaking A-grade premiership in 2016 as his most memorable moment.
He is not the only club great to be leaving, no matter how the flag decider ends.
A-grade coach Rod Mitchell has also decided end his five-year tenure.
Assistant Darren Vanzetta will replace him next season.
Mitchell led the club’s B grade and then became an A-grade assistant before taking the reins in 2014.
He plans to have next year off and has not ruled out trying his hand at coaching in the SANFL in the future.
“I love the group and I love the club, but to be honest I’m running out of batteries and I just need a break,” Mitchell, 54, says.
“Flagstaff is home for me and I wouldn’t be able to coach any other SFL club.
“We know our best is good enough to win the grand final.”
Flagstaff Hill plays Reynella in the SFL grand final at Hickinbotham Oval this Saturday from 2.30pm.
