It is with the greatest pleasure we can announce the 2024 MLDFC Life Member Inductees.
Announced at the AGM 12 November 2024 and to be fully presented with their awards at Chairmans Lunch 2025, please join us in congratulating Mark ‘MOM’ O’Malley and Michael ‘Naughts’ Naughton on becoming the newest Life Members of the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
MARK O’MALLEY
Mark O’Malley ‘MOM’ has been an invaluable member of our organisation for around 18 years. His roles include many time and labour intensive roles, including the pinnacle of any community club.
To be honest, MOM is a figure we feel many members thought already had Life Membership, and this is truly deserving award.
Throughout his time at the Mt Lofty Football Club, MOM has made significant contributions to our club, including but not limited to:
MOM’s involvement started with the club in season 2006, managing and umpiring under 8s (Channel 7 still use vision of him umpiring at Stirling Oval).
He then continued on as Assistant Coach/Manager from U8s through to the years of his children’s Senior Colts.
MOM was also an instrumental stakeholder in bringing juniors into the club and being included as a member of the junior committee for around 13 years.
Mark was Club President for 2 years, in arguably some of the toughest times at the club including during the relegation to HFL Country League. Saturdays for this fella during this time started at 7am and we are told he would get home well after midnight. Part of this role included opening up in the morning for home games, locking up and then (being a mainly cash society at this time) counting cash and lodging for finance, before returning home well after midnight.
After the President role, MOM also took on the bar manager tittle for a number of years and has also been the clubhouse cleaner.
He then took a couple of years off when his boys finished playing to then return as the A grade Team Manager in 2023, in which he has become a much-loved member of the Devils. On top of normal TM duties, MOM also helps the club by picking up and delivering Final Sirens and Footballs for game day on Friday, and delivering results to HFL on Monday. In his role as Team Manager, he is going above and beyond by triple washing and ironing every gurneys and making sure the boys guensys are on a coat hanger, and on their usual seat hook ready to go. A huge commitment but all the players absolutely love their MOM.
During our C Grade years MOM even strapped on the boots for a few years, picking up a Premiership in 2012.
Mark has been a consistent figure in our club, and always exhibited the highest of standards of which we come to love about him at the Devils. His integrity, dedication and care for others is something everyone can aspire to.
Given MOMs outstanding service and dedication, we believe he is highly deserving of Life Membership. His contributions have had a lasting impact on our Club and have set a standard of excellence for others to follow.
Thank you for your dedication to the Devils mate, we are confident that you will continue to be a valuable asset to our club for many years to come, and our club would not be what it is today without you.
MICHAEL NAUGHTON
Michael Naughton has been an invaluable member of our organisation for 17 years, demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership, and service.
Throughout his time at the Mt Lofty Football Club, Michael has made significant contributions to our club, including but not limited to:
In 2007, Michael was instrumental in creating the Junior Football Club Committee, which has been running successfully to this date. The Junior Committee’s vision and leadership from it’s establishment has been pivotal in developing a strong foundation for the club, ensuring its growth and sustainability over the years. A great initiative Michael brought to the Juniors were the portable goal posts that were easily transported at both the Stirling Oval and at the Heathfield Oval. This helped to make setup on a cold and wet morning that bit easier.
Michael has dedicated several years to coaching in the Junior ranks, specifically in 2007 (U8), 2011 (U11), and 2013 (U13).
During his coaching tenure, Michael not only mentored several Senior Players in coaching techniques but also assisted High School Students in completing their Duke of Edinburgh Certificate. Additionally, Michael served as the team runner for Leith Dawes in 2012 (U13) and Chris McTaggart in 2018 (U18). Michael also supported and assisted the U18 Women’s team in their inaugural year with Phil Winwood.
Over the years Michael has been instrumental in various other roles within the Mt Lofty Club. In the 2013 season the B Grade Men’s team were short and Michael pulled on the boots to help get the team out on the field.
During the relegation period of 2014 Michael, along with then President Damian Hone and current MLFC Life Member Trevor Gould, spent many long hours and personal time following this through and spent many late evenings in crisis meetings.
In 2019 he was given the role of Sponsorship Coordinator which he threw himself into.
In 2022 Michael was the primary timer for the A grade team whilst his son, Sam, played under Coach Michael Bawden.
Michael also in 2024 filled in as runner for the B Grade on a couple of occasions, and been a sounding board for son Ben as Coach of U16s.
In addition to these accomplishments, Michael has consistently exhibited qualities that embody the spirit and values of the Mt Lofty Football Club. His commitment to the club has been evident through his support for his family and the club.
Michael’s involvement has been outstanding in his willingness to go above and beyond in every role he has undertaken. Whether it was parking cars at finals, line-marking on game day in the rain or helping out to pick best players, Michael has always approached these responsibilities with enthusiasm and a collaborative spirit. Michael has also previously been awarded the Frank Clements Club Person of the Year Award.
Given Michael’s outstanding service and dedication, we believe he is highly deserving of Life Membership. His contributions have had a lasting impact on our Club and have set a standard of excellence for others to follow.
Thank you for your dedication to the Devils mate, we are confident that you will continue to be a valuable asset to our club for many years to come, and our club would not be what it is today without you.
