Welcome To The Rye Football & Netball Club

Michael “Kicka” O’Rourke receives MPNFL Life Membership Award 

The AFLSE Commission is pleased to announce the induction of Michael (Mick) O’Rourke of the Rye Football Netball Club as a Life Member of the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League.

The AFLSE Commission approved the nomination in 2019 however, due to COVID the presentation was delayed.

AFLSE Region Manager, Will Dakis made the Life Member Announcement at yesterday’s club Sponsors luncheon in front of family and club sponsors.

Mick commenced his 57-year association with the MPNFL and the Rye Football Netball Club as an under 17’s player for Rye in 1964. Mick is still an active member of the club holding the current position of Club President, a position he has held for 20 years.

Mick has had an outstanding 36 years as senior office-bearer volunteering in various roles at the club including general committee, Treasurer, Secretary, Tribunal Advocate, Shire liaison and Junior Club Delegate.

1969 – 1979 & 1996 – 2001:   General committee

1980 – 1995:                          Vice President

2002 – 2021:                          President.

A Life Member of the Rye FNC, Mick also played 342 club games, (113 senior), played in one senior premiership, and was involved in six reserves premierships, two as a player, one as captain/coach, and three as a coach. He also won two reserves’ best and fairest awards.

Mick has been our Rye Sports and Social Club representative for the last 46 years and plays a pivotal role, with the successful running of the annual Rye Gift in January each year.

Mick joins Nick Appleford as the second MPNFL Life Member from the Rye Football Netball Club.

Please click on the link to see the presentation video and photo’s of the day. https://www.aflsoutheast.com.au/mpnfl-life-member-induction-michael-orourke-rye-football-netball-club/ 

MAJOR RAFFLE 2021 

It’s on again for the 27th year, we are running our major raffle, with $40,000 of prizes to be won. 1st prize is $35,000 and there are 5 more prizes of $1,000. Only 800 tickets will be sold, so the odd’s are well in your favour. Drawn at the clubrooms on Sunday October the 24th at 4.00pm. Complimentary, food and drinks will be offered to all ticket holders from 12.30pm till 4.30pm. To purchase a ticket please go the the shop tab / tickets on the top of the website. Or see any player or committee person for a ticket.

Teams of the Decade 2006 – 2015 

A tremendous night was held at the club on Saturday July the 20th 2019, for our Teams of the Decade (2006 – 2015), celebration. Where the best team of that decade was announced and presented. All the player in attendance were presented up on stage and had time to tell their unique story and the parts they played in that decade. What a side it was, many players from the 2006 premiership made the list, plus having played in finals for most past of that decade, the list of players who made the side was extremely strong and those that missed out were very unlucky. We had 20 of the 22 players selected in the side there present on the night which was fantastic.

Founded in 1946, The Rye Football Club  has played in 20 senior grand finals, winning 8 premierships. A proud and strong club on and off the field , one of the club’s outstanding achievements in its 73 years, is that there has only ever been 5 Presidents, Wilfred Rowley 1946 – 58, Clarrie Jennings 1959 – 79, Nick Appleford 1980 -95, Colin Beel 1996 – 2001 and current President and Rye legend Mick O’Rourke who took over in 2002.

Netball is now an integral part of the club and since its inception in 2009, has been overwhelmingly successful, playing in 6 A Grade grand finals and winning 3. The club now has 5 Netball sides, the Under 17’s, and A, B, C and D Grade teams.