Reservoir’s new president discusses road to recovery for the Northern club
Numbers won’t be a problem at Reservoir this season but president Tom Madden says there’s still plenty of room for new players for 2022.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
New president, new coach, new players, new season … hopefully a new era at Reservoir.
The Northern Football League club has struggled on and off field in recent seasons but is confident the tide is turning.
Tom Madden is the man taking on one of the biggest challenges in community sport, president of Reservoir Football Club.
Together with new vice-president Ben O’Brien and first-year coach Justin George they hope to bring success back to Crispe Park.
They know it won’t come easy.
“We know full well where we’re located or position as a club on and off field,” Madden said this week.
“However, we’re in a fortunate position if I’m honest, the club’s in a relatively stable position financially and we’re in a good position to set a new tone and direction for the club.
“We’re looking to renew our strategic plan this year, so we’re not inheriting any of that, we can create a new direction.
“We’ve obviously got the new coach on board, Justin George, who’s really experienced and has already set some great development based goals for the squad.”
Madden arrived at Crispe Park as a player last season, playing three senior games, but had no hesitation in stepping up to the top job.
The Mustangs’ new era has certainly gotten off to a strong start with Darebin City Council committing $150,000 to upgrade the club’s pavilion.
It’s expected to be finished in time for Round 1 and opened at the first home game in Round 3, Saturday, April 23, against Kilmore.
The Reservoir committee is also looking to strengthen ties with local businesses and community groups.
“The committees that have come before us have set the club up pretty well and we’re working closely with council and forming new partnerships with businesses and community partners, Madden said.
“We really want to be a Reservoir club and own our roots.”
The off-field work hopes to set the foundation for on-field development.
Again, Madden knows it won’t come easy.
The Mustangs haven’t won a game since 2017 – ironically against Round 1 opponent Laurimar – had an average losing margin of 117 points last season and have a third coach in three seasons.
After a shaky start, he’s been buoyed by numbers at pre-season training and has no doubt the club will have the depth to field competitive senior teams in 2022.
Kingston-Hawthorn Premier Cricket captain Romain Grenville has come on board as a key forward, while former junior Nathan Milne has returned.
While numbers are strong there are still plenty of opportunities for new players to come down and further boost the club’s fortunes.
“Numbers are looking really healthy for us,” Madden said.
“We’ve had two intra-clubs now and the turn outs have been really strong, so we’re looking to field some competitive sides in 2022 and hopefully cause some surprises.
“If anyone is interested in coming down and joining the club we have opportunities there but at the same time it’s not dire straits for us.
“We have had a few players depart … but speaking to some other clubs, they’re in a similar position, so we’re not in a unique position there.
“Our performance on field in the last couple of season probably doesn’t help that but we’ve had quite a lot of new faces come down, a lot of younger blokes have come down.
“We’re confident the depth is there in the group and Justin and his coaching group has been working hard on recruiting.”
George has previously coached Goulburn Valley outfit Shepparton Swans and Eastern club Kilsyth and worked at Richmond Central, Parkdale, Maribyrnong Park, West Coburg and NAB League side Sandringham Dragons.
The coach’s enthusiasm has certainly rubbed off on his new boss.
DIV 2: THOMMO ADDS MORE MIDFIELD MUSCLE WITH MIKI
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 2: PARKS BROTHERS UNITE, PANTON HILL DREAMS
“Justin’s been a bit of fresh air in a club that’s been where we’ve been,” Madden said.
“Numbers early days for pre-season training were a bit low but Justin showed a great deal of encouragement and enthusiasm for where we could go and what we could do.
“Paired with some of the assistant coaches, they’ve worked really well together and got the group keen to work with them and go through the journey that we’re going to need to go through.”
The club will also have senior women’s football and netball.
Reservoir returns to Crispe Park full-time next week as it ramps up preparations for Round 1.