President’s Statement: Royals President Vitale Ferrante Reflects on Season 2025
Dear Royals Family,
As we prepare for the 2026 season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and share some important updates about the journey ahead.
For those who don’t know me well, my name is Vitale Ferrante, and I have the privilege of serving as President of the Essendon Royals. My connection to this club stretches back many years – first as a senior player, then as a sponsor, later as a senior coach, parent, and most recently as Senior Football Technical Director.
2025 was my first season leading the club in this role and it has been a great honour to now take on the role of President and continue giving back to the club.
Celebrating 2025 – On and Off the Pitch
This past year has been one of the most rewarding in our history:
- We have seen exceptional player retention across all programs, a reflection of the strong culture and sense of belonging that defines the Royals.
- Our player pathway teams have had brilliant success – from Pre-NPL Kangas programs through to JBNPL and JGNPL. We were particularly proud of our U14 JBNPL side, crowned Division 1 champions, and to have all our JBNPL teams qualify for Division 1. As a whole, the Royals ranked among the top five clubs in Victoria, ahead of some A-League academies.
- Our JGNPL teams competed in their first season and did us proud. The courage and commitment of our young Royals girls to step up to this level was inspiring.
- At the entry levels, our Kick-Starters program goes from strength to strength, ensuring that the next generation of Royals get the best possible introduction to football.
- Our Senior Women enjoyed another incredible season, finishing fourth and making the NPLW Semi-Finals for the second year running – a fitting way to celebrate 30 years of women’s football at the Royals.
- Our Senior Men endured a tough campaign, missing the playoffs, but we remain proud of the 15 junior players who have debuted over the last two years. These opportunities show the pathway is working – our juniors are earning their place in senior football, and we believe this will pay dividends for years to come.
- Off the pitch, our volunteers and subcommittees delivered a fantastic calendar of events including the Reverse Raffle, Community Presentation Day, Senior Season Launch and Presentations, and the brand-new Royals Ladies Gala. We also hosted our first Senior Men/Women Double-Headers, which brought the whole Royals family together on matchday.
Our Volunteers
Like all community clubs, we rely heavily on volunteers. Whether it’s organising events, helping at trials, or lending a hand on big matchdays to set up and pack down, we are always in need of more people to join our volunteer pool.
If you’re a member of the club and feel you have a skill, trade, or ability that could support the club in a specific area of operations, we’d love to hear from you. Every little bit helps us provide a better experience for our players and their families.
If you’re interested in helping us in 2026, please contact clubadmin@essendonroyals.com.au and tell us a bit about yourself and any areas you think you could help with.
Facilities & Council Support
We also want to acknowledge the ongoing support of the City of Moonee Valley, who have committed to surface improvement works at Cross Keys Reserve. These upgrades will provide a better footballing experience for our players and members, and we are grateful for Council’s commitment to supporting the Royals as we continue to grow.
Digital Growth
The Royals continue to strengthen their presence online. We are now closing in on 10,000 Instagram followers and 6,500 on Facebook, with our content reaching hundreds of thousands of people each month. This digital growth not only helps us showcase the talent and spirit of our players but also provides significant value for our sponsors and partners. It’s an area of real pride and something we’ll continue to invest in.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are extremely grateful to the businesses who continue to back the Royals. A special thank you goes to our Major Sponsor, Nicholas James Lawyers, and our Platinum Partners, Dneta Homes and Coburg Super Finish. Their support is critical in helping us run programs, maintain facilities, and provide opportunities across the club.
We are also proud to be the first sports club to join Business Essendon as a Community Partner. This partnership is helping us build stronger networks across Melbourne’s north-west and opens new opportunities for the future sustainability of the club.
Of course, we also thank all of our sponsors, big and small, who contribute in meaningful ways. As we look to 2026, we are actively seeking sponsors to join the Royals family. If you, or a business you know, would like to get involved, please reach out to our team at marketing@essendonroyals.com.au.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look to the year ahead, our goals are clear:
- Continue to ensure our senior programs are both competitive at the highest levels of Victorian football and provide opportunities for our talented juniors to progress through to senior football.
- Maintain a strong community football presence in Moonee Valley, creating as many opportunities as possible for people to play football locally.
- Preserve and strengthen our culture of player retention, offering a program that caters to both ambitious players chasing their footballing goals and those who value the many benefits of playing community football.
- Increase the number of touchpoints our members have with the committee through more consistent internal communication and engagement opportunities.
The Royals are stronger than ever – on the pitch, off the pitch, and across our community.
With the culture we’ve built, the programs we’ve launched, and the partnerships we continue to grow, I am confident that 2026 will be another year of pride and progress for every member of our club.
Thank you for being part of the Royals family,
Yours in football,
Vitale Ferrante
Club President – Essendon Royals Soccer Club