Homecoming in the Bay
The Island Bay community has been a big contributor to Marist St Pats over the years and when one of the Bay's favorite sons returned after a 20+ year absence to run the 2024 rugby programme at the Club, it seemed logical that we reach out to this community.
Wednesday night saw the Marist St Pats clubrooms move to the Island Bay Bowling Club for a night as we hosted a great crowd of Island Bay locals and club faithful.
This community event was organized by Rob Evans, Tonis Focas, Ruffy Mollo, Cal Iaccarino, Peter Woods and a team from the Club – and was the official homecoming for Marist St Pats Director of Rugby, Sean Horan.
With Premier players on hand to serve the food and Matt Buck on the microphone the event ran like a Swiss watch. Sean addressed the room and gave insight into what has been happening in and around the Club since his return, as well as offering insight into what is to come.
It was a night for reconnecting with old friends and club mates – and it really did feel like a Saturday night at the Marist St Pats Clubrooms.
The feeling in the room was amazing with a real energy evident, as Sean explained the rationale behind his move back to the Club that he loves.
We were delighted to have some of our significant sponsors present – with Franco Natoli (Natoli Ltd) and Damond Gundesen (SWP) in attendance, together with a number of Shamrock Club members.
The message to the Island Bay community was very clear – Marist St Pats is YOUR CLUB, and we want to see everyone join the 500 Club, support our players at the match and in the Clubrooms afterwards to celebrate our successes and analyze if the results don’t go our way.
Given the success of this initiative, I feel certain that it will become a regular fixture on the MSP calendar.
John Spillane
Marist St Pats President
MSP Supporters
Shamrock Club
