Hicks’ time ticks over as Murray Football League premier announces new hierarchy

Coming into the position in his mid-20s, Hicks’ mix of determination and boldness of youth has driven Congupna to break a 31-year premiership drought and put a strong spotlight on its junior participation.

Having spent a couple of years volunteering at The Road, Hicks was elected president of his boyhood club for the 2021 season and immediately had several key areas he was keen to work on.

Looking back on his four years at the helm, Hicks said he was proud of what he and his board achieved at Congupna.

“I made sure I delivered on what I said I would,” Hicks said.

“That was to bring back involvement of the juniors — we have three junior teams playing again.

“There was a passion and ideal of a premiership coming along for Congupna — we achieved that.”

Congupna’s one-point victory over Finley in the Murray Football League senior grand final and the pandemonium that followed was one of — if not — the most memorable sporting moment in the Goulburn Valley for 2024.

So the question was fairly asked of Hicks by his board, ‘‘Why are you leaving when the club is on top?’’

“It felt like the opportune time to leave because it allows someone else to come in while the job is still good and have a great club to run into the future,” he said.

“There are more goals for that individual to tick off like an A-grade netball grand final and even more success for the senior team and getting our junior development squad up to the next level as well.

“Congupna will always be a passionate thing for me and I will return one day to Congupna in some fashion as a spectator or a player or ready to help again as a volunteer.”

Hicks’ next step in life is a big one: moving to the Sunshine Coast and starting his own drone content creation business.

The 29-year-old is also training to run the Mt Fuji marathon in Japan later this year.

Although Hicks is eager to move on to his next chapter, letting go of Congupna was an emotionally charged moment.

“The committee has all been very supportive and appreciative of my time,” he said.

“That really mattered to me, it was a lovely goodbye and there were a few tears.”

Vice-president and Hicks’ right-hand woman Debbie McColl will take over the presidency reins for 2025 and beyond.

Hicks said the club aimed to continue having a strong succession plan for its board and he hoped young leaders within the area would look to play their part.

“I feel like every leadership program needs a really good right-hand person and an equal, even though there is vice in the title, it’s such an equal load that you are both leaders,” he said.

“It is fantastic for Debbie to have that support, because when I was president Debbie and I were a really great tandem as president and vice-president.

“I believe that more young people and leaders should get more involved with community sport.

“Younger people without families or dependents at home can really make a great impact at local sporting levels and it is such an invaluable opportunity to learn about leadership, learn about pride in the community.”

Congupna will be hoping to continue with Hicks’ fine work this season as the senior side looks to make it three consecutive grand finals and defend its title.

The A-grade netballers will be aiming to make finals and push for more in the seasons ahead, while the juniors will look to increase participation year-upon-year.

Hicks was only glowing as he reflected on his time steering the red, white and blue ship.

“It was good work, it was challenging,” he said.

“The job itself doesn’t get paid, but what I earned out of the job was exceptional.

“There was such a great group around me — you could say it was effortless, but it took dedication.

“The journey is the best bit; we got to the end, we got to the grand final and I am now so appreciative of the journey.

“When you get to the end, the accomplishment is there and you feel satisfied, however, it’s just like, ‘Okay, what is next?’.”