President’s Address – Inaugural Year
Acknowledging Leadership and Contributions
As we reflect on an extraordinary year for the Western Pigeon Federation (WPF), I want to start with a heartfelt thank you to Ray Russell. Over the last 25 years, Ray has devoted his time, energy, and expertise to the WPF, serving not only as President but in many other key roles. His contributions have been instrumental in steering the WPF forward, and his legacy will always remain a cornerstone of our federation’s success. Ray, your leadership and passion for the sport have made an indelible mark, and we are grateful for your service.
Welcome to Our Flyers
I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our returning flyers and a special welcome to our new flyers. I hope you’ve found this year both enjoyable and rewarding and that you feel inspired to continue pushing yourself and our sport to new heights in the seasons ahead.
Overcoming Challenges & Securing Our Future
At the end of the 2023 season, we faced a daunting challenge: the WPF was on the brink of being unable to transport our pigeons unless we were willing to pay an astronomical $100,000 annually. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Board made the bold decision to purchase our own prime mover. After thorough research, we secured a 2018 Scania prime mover for $130,000—a fantastic deal for a low-kilometre vehicle in excellent condition. This investment not only adds a valuable asset to the WPF but also ensures we can keep transport costs manageable while tailoring our operations to suit the needs of our federation.
Honouring Our Champions
Our flyers have made outstanding achievements this year, and I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to our average winners:
- Cachia, Holwell & Cini – Overall averages, Short & Metro 3 section distance averages
- M. & N. Ciancio – Long-distance averages, Two-bird averages, Metro 2 averages
- Raymond Mifsud – West section averages
- Frank Briffa – Southwest section averages
- Justin Tenaglia – Northwest section averages
- Peter Huang – Bird of the Year
A special and heartfelt congratulations to Matt Ciancio, who excelled in the prestigious 600-mile event and claimed the long-distance averages with an impressive 220 points—a record-breaking achievement in itself! Matt, your dedication and skill shone through consistently all season, with three second-place finishes in the federation. Your efforts and results are a testament to what hard work and determination can achieve—well done!
Outstanding Performances & Partnerships
Christopher Cachia, Trevor Howell & Steve Cini had an outstanding season, winning 8 federation races and clinching the overall average title in a thrilling last-race victory!
A special shoutout to Charlie Ciancio for winning the Squeaker Squadron average and to all the juniors who participated this year. Your enthusiasm and commitment are the future of our sport, and we wish you every success in the years ahead.
The Power of Partnerships
This year was also a triumph for partnerships, a strategy that has proven incredibly successful in modern racing. 🚀 Partnerships secured more federation wins than any other approach, amassing a total of 17 federation victories!
Standout Partnerships of the Year:
- Cachia, Holwell & Cini – 8 federation wins
- R. Ziaja & G. Lup – 3 federation wins
- Huang & Zheng – 2 federation wins
- J & J Pulis – 2 federation wins
- Russell & West – 1 federation win
- M & N Ciancio – 1 federation win
While we all dream of victory, remember that true success lies in the journey. The satisfaction of improving your own performance week by week and year by year is what drives us forward.
Acknowledgements & Gratitude
A big thank you to:
- Marc Tenaglia & Chris Cachia – For their professionalism and leadership on the Board
- N. Iannazzone, Joe Pulis, Daniel Tenaglia, B. Mizzi & A. Deli – For their invaluable support in ensuring the federation’s smooth operation
- Rob Marinovic – For his care, dedication, and commitment to keeping our pigeons in peak condition
- Daniel Tenaglia – For implementing video recordings of liberations, enhancing transparency in pigeon transport
- Norm Santoso – For posting these liberation videos online, making our sport more accessible and engaging
🚀 Together, Rob, Daniel, and Norm have set a gold standard for transparency and animal welfare!
Race Coordination & Weather Challenges
- Daniel Tenaglia & Matt Ciancio – For handling one of the toughest seasons, navigating unpredictable and adverse weather conditions to ensure safe race days
Facilities, Transport & Support Team
- Anton Deli & Family – For maintaining our federation rooms, managing the canteen, and hosting the BBQ
- Peter Pace & Bruce Johnson – For their dedication to safely transporting our pigeons and equipment each week
Sponsors & Supporters
Your ongoing support is invaluable to the WPF. Your partnership helps us grow, and we look forward to collaborating in the future to create something mutually rewarding.
A Special Thanks – A Community Effort
A massive thanks to Frank Velluto and everyone who helped paint our truck. Frank, you didn’t hesitate to offer your skills, spending countless hours sanding, masking, and painting—all at cost price. Your generosity saved the WPF thousands of dollars, and for that, we are immensely grateful.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we close out this remarkable year, I look forward to what we can achieve together in 2025. With the strength of our community, the dedication of our members, and the passion for this incredible sport, the future of the WPF looks brighter than ever.
Thank you all for an incredible year!
Warm regards,
John Saggers
President, Western Pigeon Federation