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Game on lads
With the generous support from our sponsors, AFL Townsville, the Masters and the football fraternity in Townsville, we are on the field in 2010.
Our progress to date has exceeded our expectations, 3 wins, 5 losses (3 losses by less than 2 goals).
We are currently 4th on the ladder, and talk is emerging from the ranks we will be in the finals.
The next 4 games will be true challenges. 3 of these games are against 2 clubs we have lost by less than 2 goals.
Our committee consists of:
Ryan Bensch - President
A footballer and a family man with the drive to see the Lions ROAR.
Dave Smith - Vice President (Football) and Coach
A Victorian boy who started footy in the Goulbourn Valley Footy League with the Mooroopna Cats in the under 14, my best kicking 7 goals in one game at full forward and on the ball. I moved onto the Undera Lions in the Kyabram District League and played 3rds (under 18s) for a few seasons, I played rover and off the wings winning player of the finals and getting pipped at the post for the best and fairest.
Then playing a few years in the 2nds with a real strong senior side. I needed to bulk up a little, I played every where from rover to the forward and back flank, wings, pockets and full back. Finally into the 1sts. Playing mostly on the wings and the back flank at first, later on I went on to the ball.
I went travelling & working (Construction & Building) for a few years and didn’t play much footy but always loved to watch the AFL and support the Mighty Maggies. Trained with a small club in Western Australia for a pre season. until I moved on, ended up in Townsville. We have just purchased our new home and settling into the Townsville lifestyle.
I heard that the Lions needed players and support so I went down to lend a hand. I enjoyed doing this because when leaving my home club in Victoria we where a struggling club, a lot of people went to where the money was and only a strong core group was left to support the club. We manage to field our two senior teams and our under 18s, we lost a lot but managing to beat the top side a few times.
No regrets though, I have a lot of good mates that I still talk too. We have won a couple of flags since I have left the club 7 years ago (maybe I was holding them back. haha.) and its good to hear from them on the mad Monday when they ring me up celebrating. I’m now Vice President and taking on the coaching role for the Townsville City Lions and looking forward to the challenge and meeting a new group of life long mates.
Jonny Freeman - Vice President (Facilities)
Married to Shez,
39 years of age. Barracks for the
Kangaroos, partial to the Brisbane Lions
and has a membership for the New Gold
Coast team.
I grew up in Hurstbridge in Melbourne. I
played from under 10’s through to 14’s
and then completed an apprenticeship as
a chef. After completing my trade I went
back to playing open age footy. At
Panton Hill where I worked and at
Hurstbridge. In 1993 I was able to
assist Hurstbridge and thus received a
clubman of the year. This lead me onto
assistant secretary and then secretary
and ultimately most jobs within an AFL
club having 10 teams from tin lids
through to the seniors. With the Bridges
I received 4 clubman’s awards and life
membership.
I was able to offer a fair bit of time
and energy into the club with being the
local postman, involved in the local CFA,
Tennis, Cricket, History Group and what
ever else was going. I did move into the
Diamond Valley Football League media
team in 1997 calling junior games on
Sundays, writing a column in the league
record, doing previews and reviews on a
the local Plenty Valley FM radio
station, watching a lot of footy, doing
a television segment for channel 31 or
Optus television either as a presenter
or cameraman. Then on Sundays back to
the radio station for the coaches rap up
where the home ground coaches called in.
In 2002 I was in a severe motor vehicle
accident and spent 2 months in hospital
and lots of rehabilitation. With this I
had to focus upon myself and married my
wife Shez. The systems we had set held
the Hurstbridge Football Club in good
stead, winning a premiership in 2003
with most of the team coming through the
Juniors or true club people. The other
great thing was the community of
Hurstbridge united as a town.
In 2004 we moved to Queensland, starting
at the Sunshine Coast then on a whim
decided to pack up and move to Mount Isa
in 2005. In the Isa I joined the local
league and put a lot of energy into the
game. My biggest highlight was entering
a float in the Mardi Gras and winning
best senior float. I still upload
information for their website
www.mtisa.aflq.com.au
Whilst in Mount Isa I was selected to
carry the Queens Baton on it way to the
Melbourne Commonwealth Games, taking it
underground and my photos went national.
Not a bad gig.
In 2007 I move to Townsville when my
wife received a transfer. I went from
job to job, locally & at the Mines. I
have settled into driving a concrete
truck with Wagner's. I first joined the
Thuringowa Bulldogs and assisted a few
games whilst available. Seeing the
strong club they had against the Twin
City Lions I decided to join the pride
only to have them sit out in 2009. I
have been working with our “Lions in the
Den 2010” committee to see our vision of
a fifth side in the Townsville AFL, a
partnership with the United Barras and a
new home ground in the North Shore area.
Robert Owen - Treasurer / Secretary (acting)
My history is born in Townsville and worked mainly in hospitality and employment services.
I bring to the Lions a trainer and assessor, an auditor and business acumen.
With the help from Wal Taylor and the AFL club management program I soon became aware on what needed to happen to see the Lions status change from the perpetual losers and financial strugglers, this can not happen in a year or 3.
Since accepting the role as Treasurer in November 2007 I work and continue to work to the best of my abilities to see my club change.
I have been a supporter of Townsville AFL since my late brother played for Currajong back in the 70's and watching the old game televised on channel 7 (in B&W). The memories of my Brothers and myself blowing balloons and gathering streamers for the AFL Grand Final to support the Blues or that other team (the Hawks) climb to glory. Since those days I have played the field based on a clubs skill and ability to win the flag and luckily enough have been mostly on the winning team's side.
There were a number of years between that time of a strong local competition and my reconnection with the local competition including being at the SCG with 44,000+ people watching the Swans play whichever team, nothing beats 40,000 people singing the club song - Magic times.
On returning to Townsville I soon reconnected with the competition seeing my nephew playing in the u17 Heatley Hawks v Tigers play off, soon after I became guardian of my Nephew.
Since this play off I have spent every footy weekend bringing Brett to the game and standing on the sidelines watching him build character and humbled in losing game after game.
I had no idea what I was in for when accepting a management position, I was sure the position I accepted was for 2 hours per week but as it turns out my club needs more.
I have stepped up to the plate and with my skills and abilities I will support my club.
Highs - Hasn't been reached yet - each year plants memories of our successes.
Lows - losing Johnno
Brett Owen - Committee
I was breed and born in Townsville and grew up playing NRL just like practically everyone else.
At the age of 12 a friends dad came and grabbed me early one Saturday morning as he was one player short to field his footy team the “Heatley Hawks”, his name was Justin McMahon and he would go on and coach me for 5 years.
My first AFL game I was awarded ‘Man of the Match’, this was the beginning of my AFL career and then realised AFL was my game.
I played on the wing for the first game and would play that position for at least 80% of the games I played since.
I have played for the Townsville School Boys and selected for the North Queensland School Boy side. I have played in the school teams finals and I was part of the team to win an under 17’s and under 18’s premiership.
I went on to play senior footy and have won multiple best and fairest awards and was also named in the 2008 Townsville all-star team.
In 2009 I was lucky enough to go all the way to the grand finals though injury prevented me from taking part.
I would love nothing more then to continue playing footy for the Lions and contribute to see the Lions win a senior flag.
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With the experience and leadership we have received from Wal Taylor, a seasoned RSL committee member we are using every ounce of experience our committee members have to offer to succeed.
We do have more room if you want to jump on board.
If you wish to donate goods to raffle or just purchase membership please contact us.
Our committee has held a number of meetings with AFL Queensland, AFL Townsville, the United Barras junior football club and the Townsville City Council. The purpose and our goal is to move back home, the Northern Beaches and the proposed ground at the North Shore new estate. A purpose built ground for the AFL Fans in the northern suburbs.
We will be working on our current the ground to improve sprinklers and training lights and hope to pass on our endeavours to the next AFL club to join our community.
If this is where you could help please do.
A lot of work has been done and a lot more is needed.
The Lions need Players, Sponsors, helpers, trainers, supporters and committee members. “Ask not why Townsville AFL has only five teams, but ask who will be the sixth team”.
Past Players, New Players, New to AFL players, Sponsors & Supporters
are more than welcome to join the Pride.