Long serving and respected Sea Eagles Head Trainer Alex Ross has tonight been awarded Life Membership of the Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club (MWRLFC).
Proposed by Life Members Warwick 'Wok' Bulmer and seconded by Brett Stewart, 'Rossy' has been duly recognised for 26 years of dedicated, loyal and passionate service to the Sea Eagles.
MWRLFC Chairman Cliff Lyons congratulated Alex on becoming the 63rd Life Member at the annual AGM at Manly Leagues Club after a unanimous vote by members.
Alex is a true stalwart. He is a through and through Manly man
Cliff Lyons
“Alex is happy to help out in any way possible. He is very special to us all."
Long time official Bulmer spoke passionately about the wonderful dedicated work Ross does for the Sea Eagles, who has worked under six NRL coaches.
“The dedication of Alex to, and his love of the club, is second to none,'' Bulmer said.
“We (Brett and I) have personally witnessed the work he carries out behind the scenes over 26 years and his attention to detail is beyond reproach.
“There has been many, many players who have been strapped by him and sought his counsel over these 26 years.
“We would venture to state not one player he has been associated with would have a negative word to say about him.
“His 26 years of loyal and faithful service has been an asset to this club.”
Stewart said Ross was loved by many past and current players.
"It's unheard of to hear of someone in his position to stay at one club for such a time,'' Stewart said.
"He does the workload of two people without fuss which consists of setting up every training session, pulling down ever training session, and preparing away trips logistically.
"This may not seem like much but I can assure you 20 footballers plus staff for an away game is a job within itself.
"A lot of us senior players used to wait on game day to get strapped by Rossy not only because he can strap but because he gave us a big hug that the players still do today when he finishes strapping you.
"My recommendation for Rossy life membership is because of all these traits and more."
Sea Eagles hooker, and 2022 Player of the Year Lachlan Croker, spoke on behalf of his team-mates about the tireless work Alex performs.
"Every day for the past five years that I have been associated with the club, Rossy's van is the first thing you see in the morning parked out the front of his office, meaning he is inside getting ready for the day,'' Croker said.
“We get to training about two hours before we start field which highlights the amount of work Rossy needs to do before the day starts.
“Game day for Rossy outside of his usual setting up the dressing room and packing it down also involves another important job, strapping three of our most important team-mates in Jake, Tom and Daly.
“It speaks volumes of Rossy’s strapping and the time he has spent with those boys that they have started their journey being strapped by Rossy and have continued to do so throughout their careers.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be here on behalf of the boys to assist in nominating Alex Ross to become a life member of this club.”
Ross said he was very humbled to receive the life membership.
“It is a massive honour for myself and my family to be fortunate enough to be at this club for what will be my 27th season (in 2023),'' Ross said.
“It is just amazing to have my name associated with some absolute legends of this club. It is mind blowing.
“To think this is the club I supported as a kid and sat on the hill to watch Cliffy Lyons run around, and to be here today in front of you all, is very humbling."
Alex Ross' service to Sea Eagles
2022: Currently in 26th year of service to the Manly Warringah Club
1996: U14 and U15 Development Squad under the leadership of Frank Ponissi
1997-1999: Junior Representative Development Squads Trainer
1998: Junior Representative Development Squads Head Trainer
1999-2000: Northern Eagles Trainer for First Grade, Presidents Cup and Jersey Flegg
2000-2004: Part time conducting video analysis, statistics collation and continuing as Trainer for Manly lower grades in between his role as a High School PDHPE teacher. Remained as Assistant Trainer to NRL squad with duties including dressing room set up, cup filling, bottles and massage
2004-Present: Head Trainer of NRL Manly Warringah Sea Eagles squad. Duties include strapping, massage, logistics of team travel, match day, 15 years of doing headsets at NRL level, daily function and routine management of squad
