Geoff Morgan Tribute
June saw the passing of club stalwart and local legend Geoff Morgan. ‘Morgo’, aged 82, died peacefully on June 27 whilst watching his beloved Blues after a short battle with cancer. Morgo is survived by wife Cynthia (after enjoying 54 years of marriage), and children Bradley, Venessa, and grandsons Jayden and Ashton.
Morgo was a tireless worker at both the Sorrento Football and Cricket Clubs. His passion and commitment to both clubs is legendary. Having completed long playing careers at both clubs, he also served on the Executive of both clubs over many, many years which is recognised in Morgo being the only person to have received life membership of both clubs – an extraordinary achievement.
Indeed, he became somewhat of an Institution due to his unprecedented dedication and contribution … and his razor-sharp mind – which thankfully accompanied him through to the very end of his long and distinguished life.
Morgo played his first senior game for Sorrento Football Club in 1954 at the age of 16. He went on to play 211 senior games, including the 1964 Premiership. He then went on to take on the role of Club Treasurer in 1985, a position he has held up until his passing …. an unprecedented 35 years of Executive service to the Club. He was Team Manager for the Senior Team for the last 30 years … a thankless task which is extraordinary in its own right. In parallel, Geoff also played 185 games of Senior Cricket at Sorrento Cricket Club, where he also went onto serve as President, Treasurer, or Secretary over an extraordinary 43 years.
Words cannot really do justice to the contribution Geoff has made to the Sorrento Football and Cricket Clubs. As Troy Schwarze is quoted as saying “People say, ‘wouldn’t you love to have five of Morgo?’, but we didn’t need five Morgo’s because we had one of them. He just did everything.”
Widely known and loved both within Sorrento and by Opposition Clubs, as well as at Carlton Football Club – his other great passion, where he was also well known and loved. Geoff will be sorely missed by all … and impossible to replace.
A Private Service will be held next week for Geoff, please see the papers for funeral details, which I understand will be live streamed, due to the limit of 50 people owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Thank you to David Caspar for providing the above tribute.
MPNFL 2020 Season Cancellation – Football and Netball
27th June 2020
Sent to all AFLSE Club Presidents and Secretaries, AFLSE Management and Staff and AFLSE Advisory Committee, Corporate Partners, MPNFL Life Members
AFL South East (AFLSE) has today announced the decision to cancel all official football and netball competitions across the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) for the 2020 season.
At a meeting on Saturday morning between AFLSE and MPNFL club presidents, a decision was reached to cancel competitions encompassing seniors, reserves and under 19 football and all grades of netball.
AFLSE Chief Operating Officer Shaun Connell said that while the decision to cancel the season was a tough one, the final determination had become clear after the most recent consultation with the MPNFL clubs.
“Whilst we are disappointed to cancel the 2020 MPNFL season, the health and wellbeing of the community and the sustainability of our clubs has always been our priority,” Connell said.
“We took a positive approach to return to the playing field but, with growing concern around the management of clubs during COVID and the growing uncertainty within the community, it was agreed that traditional MPNFL home and away season was not viable for 2020.
“Once it became clear that the long-term sustainability of clubs was at risk, the decision was clear-cut and needed to be made in a timely fashion.
“Covid-19 has presented a very unique set of circumstances and we needed to ensure that all 22 clubs – and AFL South East as an organisation - emerged from this pandemic in a healthy state.
“We look forward to working with our clubs to create a safe and healthy environment for all members and volunteers moving forward. We now begin to put plans in place for 2021 – a season that promises to be like no other.”
Concerns raised by senior football clubs included financial sustainability, player numbers, the additional burden on volunteers, management of social-distancing protocols and an inability to raise much-needed funding through gate takings, canteen, and bar sales.
Connell thanked all 22 clubs for their honest and frank feedback throughout the consultation process which included a club survey and several on-line meetings.
“The last few months have been unprecedented in terms of managing community sport and I would like to thank the leaders of our clubs for being engaged in the process,” Connell said.
“All clubs understand the associated challenges and impact that Covid-19 has had and were very open and balanced with their views.
“Both AFLSE and the clubs have a clear obligation to protect participants, volunteers, officials, umpires, supporters and their families during this Coronavirus pandemic.”
Whilst the premiership season is cancelled for senior competitions, the league remains open to exploring club interest in a shortened, more informal opt-in/opt-out model of competition should circumstances allow later this year.
Modified models of competition will now be finalised and canvassed with clubs over the coming period.
-ENDS-
Bendigo Bank Sponsorship
Once again, we pass on our thanks to Bendigo Bank for their generous and on-going support of the club. Pictured are Gary Sanford, Senior Branch Manager and Anthony Ring, Vice President Sorrento Football & Netball Club. In addition to this sponsorship, Bendigo Bank also supports our Juniors with a $3,000.00 funding.
Go Sharks!!
