IF you thought Orange City had a big season this year, wait until 2013.
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Next year the Lions will celebrate the club’s 40th anniversary.
This year City took out the Blowes Clothing Cup first grade and second grade titles and were also in the colts grade final.
Last week the club held its annual general meeting and returning president Steve Stone said things were looking good for 2013.
“The 40th year should be exciting,” Stone said.
“We’ve still got room to improve. I don’t think we can improve on the first grade results though. Playing will be tough every week being defending premiers.”
Stone said the executive was planning an anniversary ball for next year to celebrate the club’s milestone.
There is also talk of giving the Lions some international experience.
“We’re looking at doing a tour to Tonga,” Stone explained.
“We’re hoping at the end of the season we can see where the boys [Junior Lafo’ou and Mesui Lemoto] come from. We’re in the process of investigating that. It would be nice to understand their culture. It would be good to offer whatever we can to their community.”
Part of ensuring another successful year for the club is having a strong player presence in the Lions’ committee for 2013.
Next year’s committee will include senior players Nathan Short, Josh Tremain and Josh Maley as well as young members Mitch Pearce and Sam Powell.
They will be joined by Orange City Junior executive members Fletcher Niven and Jeff Taberner.
“It’s good to get the players’ perspective of what they think should happen,” Stone said.
“It’s also good grounding for them to know how the club works.”
Stone has returned as club president and has two new vice-president’s in Scott Barrett and John Young.
Liam Dillon, the club’s 2012 clubman of the year, is back as secretary.
Sam Coote will take on the role of club captain for 2013 and Stone is confident he will do a good job.
Orange City will have a new look in 2013 as the players pull on one-off 40th anniversary jumpers.
The club will design special jerseys for the 2013 season in all four grades.
Steve Hamson, Mick Gray and Andy Hillan will return to coach the Lions first grade side and Anthony Kent and Brad Cleal will guide the second grade outfit in 2013.
The club is looking for coaches for the third grade and colts sides.
A special meeting also confirmed Orange City will give out four life memberships at next year’s anniversary ball.
Fletcher Niven, Kevin Tandy, James Grant and John Hamling will all be presented with life memberships.
Anyone interested in taking on a coaching role at Orange City next year should contact Steve Stone on 0407 935 195.