The Ballarat Demons are having a Pleasant Sunday at the Blue Pyrenees Winery, in conjunction with the Melbourne Football Club.

FAMILY DAY BBQ/PICNIC ON SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2009.

• Activities will commence at 11.00am and will include:-
• Football activities & games supervised by MFC players
• BBQ meals provided at minimal cost
• Tours of the Winery
• Wine tastings and sales
• Sale of MFC Memrobilia & Merchandise
• Purchase of Ballarat Demons & MFC memberships
• Raffles

This will be a great day to kick off the 2009 season, meet MFC personalities and renew friendships with Ballarat Demons members. Players that will be in attendance are: James McDonald (Captain), James Frawley, Kyle Cheney and Rhys Healey. Working on some of the coaching staff too.

If Blue Pyrenees Winery doesn't sound familiar, it is also the home of Remy (Remy Martin Brandy) and is a lovely little spot.

Avoca is approx 25 minutes from Ballarat. You can also take the Calder from Melbourne and travel through the picturesque Castlemain and Marybourgh.

A bus is planned from Ballarat for any locals.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday the 8th of February, 2009 to; "Denis Costigan" [email protected] for catering purposes. Full details of the day's activities, map location etc will be provided soon.

Hope to see many of you on the 15th of February, bring your family and friends and enjoy a great day, and remember the Ballarat Demons raised over $14000 last year for the Club via events such as this.

I have just been informed that Chris Connolly (Manager Football Dept.) and Mark Williams (Assistant Coach) will be attending our day at the Blue Pyrenees Winery Avoca. I believe Mark Williams is still the development coach, so it will be interesting getting his opinion of the big improvers for this year and any likely candidates for a Senior game in their first year.

Dont forget to RSVP no later than the 8th Feb

Huge Thank-you to all who organised this function ... should be re-named to a Sensational Sunday At The Blue Pyreness Winery.

Just to give those who didn't attend some brief observations.

Venue & Blue Pyreness Staff - Top class location with a friendly family environment, situated only a few minutes drive out of Avoca this picturesque winery is an ideal location. 10/10

Players in Attendance - James Frawley (outstanding young man our clubs in good hands both on & off the field, he is ready for a big 2009 - my kids have a new hero), Kyle Cheney & Ryce Healey (Two sensational young men, great with the kids, spent 2hrs hours plus kicking and hand balling with them, made sure every kid was involved, well done lads.) James McDonald cant speak highly enough of him, great informative speaker. After this day I'm now 100% convinced we have made the right choice as our Captain in 2009.

Mark Williams - Superb, took the time to give us 1-2 minutes summary on how "EVERY" player on our list was traveling and how they have performed during their pre-season. There is something about Mark, his honesty, commitment and hard working ethical standards just shine threw in everything he does.

Chris Connolly - CC is fantastic with all he comes in contact with, Chris is a realist and its great to have him at the helm of our footy department. Sometimes with some footy administrators you think its "just a job" ... However, with CC its the complete opposite ... he's one of us thru & thru.

Merchandise Boys - These guys sat their all day with a steely commitment to the cause, obviously had taken the time and put in extra effort to generate some additional funds.

Ballart Demons - Warm, friendly and so, so welcoming. I would be happy to sit with this crew at the footy, any and every day. Their passionate about this club. I cant speak highly enough of ALL from the Ballarat Demons.

Believe the Ballarat Demons are going to make this a more "formalised annual event" and if you get the change in 2010 its well worth the drive. I'm definitely putting my hand up for next year, with the whole family.

Huge Thank-you again

See you next Year if not before. Go Dees!!!

Huge Thank-you to all who organised this function ... should be re-named to a Sensational Sunday At The Blue Pyreness Winery.

Just to give those who didn't attend some brief observations.

Venue & Blue Pyreness Staff - Top class location with a friendly family environment, situated only a few minutes drive out of Avoca this picturesque winery is an ideal location. 10/10

Players in Attendance - James Frawley (outstanding young man our clubs in good hands both on & off the field, he is ready for a big 2009 - my kids have a new hero), Kyle Cheney & Ryce Healey (Two sensational young men, great with the kids, spent 2hrs hours plus kicking and hand balling with them, made sure every kid was involved, well done lads.) James McDonald cant speak highly enough of him, great informative speaker. After this day I'm now 100% convinced we have made the right choice as our Captain in 2009.

Mark Williams - Superb, took the time to give us 1-2 minutes summary on how "EVERY" player on our list was traveling and how they have performed during their pre-season. There is something about Mark, his honesty, commitment and hard working ethical standards just shine threw in everything he does.

Chris Connolly - CC is fantastic with all he comes in contact with, Chris is a realist and its great to have him at the helm of our footy department. Sometimes with some footy administrators you think its "just a job" ... However, with CC its the complete opposite ... he's one of us thru & thru.

Merchandise Boys - These guys sat their all day with a steely commitment to the cause, obviously had taken the time and put in extra effort to generate some additional funds.

Ballart Demons - Warm, friendly and so, so welcoming. I would be happy to sit with this crew at the footy, any and every day. Their passionate about this club. I cant speak highly enough of ALL from the Ballarat Demons.

Believe the Ballarat Demons are going to make this a more "formalised annual event" and if you get the change in 2010 its well worth the drive. I'm definitely putting my hand up for next year, with the whole family.

Huge Thank-you again

See you next Year if not before. Go Dees!!!

As i live in Tassie it is pretty difficult to be involved but I would be interested to know what sort of turnout there was. Great to read your comments on the players and officials that were there.

As i live in Tassie it is pretty difficult to be involved but I would be interested to know what sort of turnout there was. Great to read your comments on the players and officials that were there.

Hi Febes

Sorry I cant give you an exact head count, would only be a wild stab in the dark. My "wild stab" would be 15-20 kids & 40+ plus adults.

However, what I will say is this, we have a very positive vibe around the club at present. We must use this "vibe" to engage our kids. Our kids are the future of this club.

IMHO ... This is a perfect, friendly, family environment to engage our kids, with Players, Officials and fellow Demon supporters. The Ballarat Demons should be applauded for their efforts. The Ballarat Demons recognise that to engage our kids we must take action.

You would have to be a "blind Freddy" not to see that we are a "vulnerable" football club in the short-term. However, the way out is to stick together and invest our time into having more types of events like this. The more we do these events, the bigger & better they become ... because we engage more kids.

We not only need more "bums on seats" at games but also at events like this ... I personally believe they go hand-in-hand. As Demons supporters we must be prepared to go that extra inch to support our club. I can tell you for a fact, my kids are itching to go to the first game.

Why ... because we have an outstanding crop of young players that given a chance are prepared to engage with our kids. However, it should not all be left to the players as parents, grand-parents, uncles-aunts, family members or just passionate Dees supporters we must all do our bit.

All the best and look forward to seeing as many people as possible next year at an excellent event like this.