Don’t pigeon hole front-rowers – they’re not all big, dumb, beer-guzzling, somewhat illiterate blokes, like the legends go.
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Far from it in fact, as Orange Emus’ prop Steve Fergus is proving.
Fergus is living proof front-rowers can be the brains behind an operation and not just the brawn, after being elected as the greens’ new supremo, replacing outgoing president Donna Roberts, who is taking a break from administration.
He makes the step up after a year as a director in 2016.
“It’s great to be involved with a club that’s had the success Emus has over the past three seasons, particularly in its 70th anniversary season,” Fergus said on Thursday, his terracotta-tinged beard glistening in the Orange sunset.
“Donna has been a major part of that success and deserves plenty of praise. The day-to-day management fell on her and she made great strides improving the governance standards.
“We’ve had great continuity with the board going into 2017, which should mean we can continue the work she started.”
Fergus bookended both of Emus’ premierships in 2015 and 2016, and will continue playing despite his administrative role. He said he and his board have already identified a number of goals for the upcoming season.
It’s great to be involved with a club that’s had the success Emus has over the past three seasons.
- Emus' Steve Fergus
Primarily, they’re looking to ensure their club fields a colts side throughout 2017.
“Our main focus now is getting our colts on the field, all signs a pointing toward us fielding one but until they run out there’s no guarantees,” Fergus said, adding any interested players can get in touch via Facebook.
“Longer term, we’re looking at driving participation. We have great junior numbers but we need to be bringing them through to play grade. One initiative we’re running to increase participation in the Viva 7s in February. We’re aiming it at junior age groups to start teaching kids the skills without contact.
“Obviously we’ll have a heavy focus on the 70th celebrations too. We’re all really looking forward to the season.”
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
