Dear Seagulls,
After five years as President of the Williamstown Football Club, I am writing to let you know that I have decided to step down from this role and away from the Board. This is a decision I have been contemplating for some time and it comes with a mix of emotions – gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared, pride in what we have achieved together, and excitement for what lies ahead for our great Club.
Serving as President has been a huge privilege, and I am grateful to have been able to play a role in our Club’s achievements on and off the field. Working alongside our passionate Board, staff, coaches, players, volunteers, members and supporters has been both inspiring and humbling. I have seen firsthand the strength of our community and its unwavering commitment to the values that have defined Williamstown for generations.
Over the past five years, we have made significant strides both on and off the field.
On the field, we have continued to honour our proud tradition of competitive excellence, with our teams embodying the resilience and determination that makes Williamstown unique.
Our VFL Team has made and won finals in the past two seasons.
And our VFLW Team made the finals for the first time in 2023 and won the Minor Premiership in 2024.
Off the field, we have strengthened the Club’s foundations – ensuring financial stability, enhancing our facilities, and deepening our connection to the community.
Some highlights include:
· Steering the Club successfully through the Covid years;
· Completing our $2.4m DSV ground surface development;
· Starting our $2.2m facilities development; and
· Setting new Club records in our membership numbers, partnership revenue, and ground naming rights.
These achievements are a testament to the dedication of the entire Williamstown family, and I am particularly grateful for the exceptional leadership of my fellow Board members and our Chief Executive Ashley Baker. This group of people share a vision, commitment to hard work, and uncompromising belief in the Club’s potential. These traits have been instrumental in shaping our success. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together during my time as President.
As we move forward, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Board has unanimously elected Merryl Dooley as the Clubs new President. Merryl has been a Board Director for the past 7 years and served as Vice President for several years. The Dooley family has been synonymous with our Club over many generations. With Merryl’s passion for the Club and the professional expertise she brings to the Board of Directors; it seems fitting that she becomes the first female President in our 161-year history.
In assuming the role as President, Merryl said, “I’m enormously proud to take on the role of President of our great Club. 2025 promises to be an exciting year for both programs, and I look forward to working with everyone involved to deliver success on and off the ground this year, and beyond”.
As I prepare to hand over the reins, I am confident that the Williamstown Football Club is very well-positioned under the leadership of Merryl and the Board to continue thriving. The future is bright, and I look forward to watching the Club reach even greater heights in the years to come as we build towards our next VFL Premiership and our first ever VFLW Premiership.
To our members – thank you for your trust, passion, and belief in the Williamstown Football Club. Your support has and always will be, the heartbeat of everything we do.
While my time as President has come to an end, I will remain a devoted member and supporter of this extraordinary Club. Williamstown has always been and will always be a special part of my life.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President.
Go the mighty Towners!
Clint Rippon
Outgoing President
Williamstown Football Club
