Port Launch 2005 Season
Saturday 2nd April, 2005

Port Kembla held it's annual season launch at Port Kembla Leagues Club last night (Friday April 1st) in front of close to 150 guests. Those in attendance got to hear from the 2005 coaching staff as well as viewing the 2005 playing strip, complete with sponsors.

Mick Dupille and Under 18's coach Paul Purcell presented the annual Bruce Dupille Memorial Scholarship to Under 18's forward Gavin Walsh. The scholarship perpetuates the memory of the late Bruce Dupille who was a long time supporter of the Port Kembla Football club, and a long serving Director on the board of the Port Kembla Leagues Club. The Bruce Dupille Memorial Scholarship, Sponsored jointly by the Port Kembla Leagues Club and the Port Kembla DRLFC, supports one young Black's player each year while they go through formalised studies.

Paul Purcell was the first coach up and spoke of the depth of talent he will have at his disposal this season. Last year's Under 18's side went on to win the premiership, and many of the players will be backing up again in 2005. Add to that the players coming through from the undefeated Under 16's premiership team and the season looks promising for the Wollongong Asphalt Under 18's squad.

Mick Gander takes over the reins of the Reserve Grade side after a successful stint with the Under 18's last season, and when asked, spoke of what he expected from his players both on and off the field. The message was simple - train hard, put in the yards, and support their team mates. Gander also spoke of the need for players in the Reserve Grade squad to always have their hand ready to put up when asked to step up to the plate for first grade.

Craig Simon and Chris Walsh together gave their insight into the roles of coaches in the top grade. Simon enjoyed his first year of coaching, even though the final outcome was not what was desired. When asked what the biggest lesson was that he learnt in his first year of coaching, Simon replied that he learnt to expect the unexpected, particularly with respect to injury. Craig was referring to the loss of Mark Simon five rounds from the finals, and then his own knee injury in the finals, coupled with that of Grant Bobbin in the Final against Thirroul.

Walsh spoke of his role as coaching co-ordinator and in particular his hope to develop some of the young talent within the club to see them come through to be regulars in Port's first grade line up in years to come. Walsh also spoke of being a part of the Port Kembla club and the strong sponsor and supporter base the club enjoys. He said that no other club in the league has the supporter base and atmosphere generated at a Noel Mulligan game, a sentiment echoed by the guests present.

Once the coaches had been presented to the crowd, Simon and Walsh announced Mick Cross as the 2005 Club Captain. Cross was selected by his team mates as Club Captain, an honour which has not been lost on the burly front rower.

Finally, The club acknowledged it's ever growing sponsor base. Port Leagues Club are back on board as Major Sponsors, a role they have filled for fifty years now, this year being their 50th anniversary. They will take pride of place on the front of the club's jerseys in all grades. The Open Hearth Hotel are Platinum sponsors for the fourth year and occupy the lower back of the First and Reserve Grade jerseys.

The club welcomed Southern Classic Cars as new Platinum Sponsors, their name and Volkswagen emblem adorning the top back of the First and Reserve Grade jerseys. Boom Logistics will again be seen on the sleeves of all three grades in their position as gold sponsors, while Metal Transport Industries take the step up to Gold Sponsors, occupying the second sleeve of all three grades.

Wollongong Asphalt are again the naming rights sponsor of the Under 18's team, while Fellini's Restaurant join the club as a Gold Sponsor after a year as Bronze Sponsors of the Club. Their name will grace the lower back of the Under 18's jerseys.

LJ Hooker Warrawong will be seen on the playing shorts, with the club as Gold sponsors for the fifth year now.

One of the most exciting sponsorship deals has been struck with Toll Stevedoring who will supply the club with a new electronic scoreboard for Noel Mulligan Oval. The new scoreboard will be in place for the clubs April 16th game against Wollongong.

Other corporate sponsors who have a big input into the club's success, but who do not have jersey or short signage include Brambles PCI (Gold), Allfab Constructions (Gold - goal post pads), Alsco (Silver - polo shirt sleeves) and Efex Painting & Decorating Services (Silver - polo shirt sleeves).

The club also acknowledged it's faithful Bronze sponsors, some who have been with the club for well over five years, and others who are recent "family additions" such as Rankins Funerals.