Swifts president Steve Hoffmann said the club was delighted to have four football teams and three netball teams make finals and to have a junior team reach the grand final.

“2018 was very successful for the club as a whole. It shows us where we are at and indicates where we are striving to be,” he said.

Around the ground, Swifts footballers had a year full of highlights.

Six players from the senior group were named in the interleague squad. Eight junior players featured in the region’s best under-14 footballers for the annual junior carnival.

Senior footballer, Ben Taylor, was named best opposition player while Josh Reid won the league best and fairest for under-17s. 

Under-17s player, Bourke Nicholls took out the Blue Ribbon Spirit of Football award for his stellar season.

Hoffmann said highlights and recognition of players cemented the direction the club was working towards.

“Although other clubs rate their successes in country footy on their senior teams, the Baggies measure success as a whole. 

“Our 2018 campaign as a club shows us that we are heading in the right direction,” he said.

Before the official end of the season, 2018 coach Scott Carey announced the re-signing of current senior players.

“I’m excited to announce that Matt Healy, Ryan Folkes, Liam Scott, Damon Folkes, Ben Taylor, Jacob Davis, Chris Sharper, Seth Blake and Zac Armer have all signed on for the 2019 season,” Carey said.

Hoffmann said the announcement showed players had faith in the future of the club.

“Players and supporters want to stay with the club and help build on something that may not have eventuated this year.

“We are now looking to the future and our sights are set on the future,” he said.

Junior players made an impact as they boosted the Swifts’ senior netball teams.

Netball director Naomi Hoffmann said the club was developing juniors to become the future senior netballers of the club.

“This year we had juniors sitting on our bench in A Grade games, being part of the team. They learn so much being among the playing group,” she said.

Hoffmann said the Swifts had two juniors and one senior team make the finals and the other teams “weren’t too far off”.

“We are getting there. Every year we are improving and moving up the ladder,” she said.

Darcy Crawford was named 17-and-under league best and fairest.

Hoffmann said it had been more than 10 years since the Baggies featured in Horsham District league’s A Grade finals – “a celebration” after only two years returning to the top grade.

“It’s a credit to the club and shows the hard work and dedication from everyone around the club to make this happen,” she said.

Hoffman said, looking forward, most netballers had verbally committed to returning in 2019.

“We have also had some outside interest in netballers joining us in 2019. Adding in players will strengthen our teams right across the board,” she said.

Off the field, 2018 rewarded many years of hard work from members of the club.

A major funding boost was announced to secure improved facilities at the venue.

Swifts vice-president Ian O’Donnell had lobbied for the upgrades since 2014. 

“It has been a long time coming and we can’t wait to get things moving,” O’Donnell said.

In summing up the 2018 season both leaders at the club reiterated that “the future is bright”.