By DAVID NAGEL
ROC coach Brad Jones will be in charge of the Officer Senior Football Club in 2016 after agreeing to a two-year deal with the club – which had a name change on Thursday night.
Well over 100 financial members and life-members descended on Starling Road to vote on the change of name from ROC – which had been in existence since 1977 when the Rythdale-Cardinia Football Club and the Officer Football Club joined forces – to the Officer Senior Football Club.
Club president Barry O’Loughlin said the club had been in discussions on the issue for over 18 months, and the time was now right to make a change. He said the decision was based on improving the club’s identity, and brand awareness, but it was also at the forefront of discussions to preserve the club’s long and proud heritage.
“Our history means a lot to us, and it will always be that way, but this is a major step forward for our club and critical to our long-term sustainability,” O’Loughlin said.
“There was no discussion on the night – that all took place prior to the meeting – and roughly 90 per cent of our members voted for the change.”
The meeting started at 8pm and was concluded by 8.30pm with an announcement on the vote made shortly after.
The Officer Kangaroos Junior Football Club will remain as it is, while the netball club, which is registered as the ROC Netball Club, will remain as such for the time being.
O’Loughlin said plans were in full swing for the hosting of the South East Football Netball League grand final, to be held on Saturday 19 September.
“We’ve had all our plans passed by the police who were very positive about the facility,” he said.
“Some of the police hadn’t been here for some time and I think they were a bit surprised by the quality of the facilities that we now have at Starling Road. We’ve been given the green-light for everything and all our stakeholders, including the junior footy club, the netball club, and the cricket club, are all on board and ready to make the day a success.”
ROC will also host the SEFNL elimination final on Sunday 30 August.
