It’s not where you start, it’s how you finish!

Maybe not quite how the song goes, but you get the idea!

Day one of my tenure as OzSpurs President saw us go straight off the back of an amazing national in Cairns to a team tour in Melbourne, nothing like a baptism of fire! we brought our members open training, lucky fans won tickets to meet the players via our charity raffle, ex captain and club legend Gary Mabbutt joined us at the Imperial Hotel,home of Melbourne OzSpurs for a Q&A and signing session, and then a game of football at the MCG!

As the season started, and our involvement in the Europa league began, this saw an impact on attendance across all of our chapters due to the unfavourable kick off times. Many of our venues struggled to find games to meet up, and this became more of a challenge as the season went on due to poor league performances. But those members who did attend games (especially those 5:00am workday games) they became a part of the journey to that Thursday morning on the 22nd May in Bilbao. More on that later!

Committee & Chapter Organisers

Our organisation is reliant on volunteers, without them, we would not be (IMO) the best supporters club in the world. The chapter organisers who ensure they work with the venues so we all have somewhere to watch matches each and every week is a massive challenge, they do it not for themselves, but to bring us all together for the love of Tottenham Hotspur football club. I would just like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of you that puts their hand up for this role, next season fixture will be more favourable I promise you!

Your committee, elected by you, the members. These are the people responsible for the running of your Supporters club. When you renew your membership pack, order that limited edition Champions tee shirt, organise match day tickets to watch Spurs in London, use a website to keep you up to date with all things OzSpurs, these are the people responsible for ensuring your membership money is managed and used in a way that all members can benefit from, and also ensuring we safeguard for the future. These people, again all volunteers, provide countless hours of their time to do this for you, and I would just like to thank Emma Jane, JT, Darren, Mark, and iain for all of their efforts this season, I think everyone can agree, it’s been quite a special year, and that’s down to you guys!

As with all committee positions there will be some changes going into season 2025/26.

Mark will step down as the role of Treasurer after his 4 year stint, and JT will step down after 4 years as Website and ticketing. Massive thank you to both of you for your years of dedication and devotion to OzSpurs, we are forever grateful for all of your contributions.

Applications were sort via email for the roles of Treasurer, Website, social media and communications and chapter liaison officer.

During the annual AGM, the committee for 2025/26 was proposed and voted in by attending members. Your committee for 2025/26 will be:

• Sean Bielski - President
• Darren Hind - Membership
• Nathan Pieterse - Website
• Andrew Pettifer - Treasurer
• Emma Jane Stephenson - Merchandise
• John Tumbridge - Ticketing.

The positions of Social media, and chapter liaison will be re advertised in coming weeks

Welcome Nathan and Andrew to the Committee. Massive thanks also to my two lads Luca and Yasha for putting up with me and helping out when told to, sorry asked to!

Europa League Final & National

So, thanks for waiting, now we get to the good part!!

The season was a stinker, injuries, poor performances, but there was this little competition called the Europa league that we kind of did ok in!

As the games progressed, the belief began to grow, “can Ange deliver on his promise?”

As the finals grew closer, and as has been the past in the last few years, the committee were busy planning the end of season national, this year in Sydney. The prospect of organising final events right before a National became a reality on a freezing night in Bodo, when we made it to the final dance, the Europa league Final!!

This is the time where you see what this supporter’s club does best. All challenged with the unfavourable kickoff time in the early hours of Thursday morning, the committee works tirelessly with the chapter organisers across the country to bring together our members for what became a fairytale ending to our season. Spurs fans we never knew existed came out of the woodwork and joined the supporters club to be a part of something we all know is pretty special, and I hope that their support continues next season. The scenes from around the country were pretty special, all the doubters proven wrong, and finally, “Spursy” is gone!

But no, there’s more!

We THEN headed straight to Sydney, where the National was due to take place, and I can tell you, what a party we had!!

An evening with Sandro, an open top boat parade on Sydney harbour during the vivid festival, quiz night, live band and some raffles with what felt like 356 prizes, ranging from signed memorabilia to an exclusive 1 of 1 OzSpurs Hawaiian shirt! It sounds cliche, and we say it every year, but if you have never been to a national, regardless if you don’t know anyone, make it a must do for 2026. We head to Tasmania for what promises to be a very special year as we celebrate 25 years of OzSpurs.

OzSpurs Hall of Fame Inductees

This year, we inducted three OzSpurs Legends into the OzSpurs Hall of Fame. Kevin “Woody” Woodward, Paul “Paf” Fellowes and Cameron “Commander Postie” Whyte all recognised for their work in making OzSpurs what it is today.

Sadly we lost Sydney Organiser Cameron Whyte after his long battle with Cancer recently. His work and dedication to Sydney will live on at the Surry Hills Hotel with plans for a memorial piece to take pride of place at the home of Sydney OzSpurs. Donations for Cams nominated charity, the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse were taken during the finals with $2330 donated, an amazing achievement.

In closing, a massive year, with Highs and lows, some jubilation and some sadness, but we did all of this together as a family. It’s who we are mate! And as your president I will leave you with this:

“Like all good presidential terms, Season two is ALWAYS better than season one!”

COYOS
Sean Bielski (Taff)
President
Australia Spurs