05/10/2026
🎖2026 TFNC LIFE MEMBER INDUCTEES🎖
Life Membership is a prestigious recognition given to individuals who have made exceptional and sustained contributions to our club. It is not simply an entitlement for long-term membership; it is an honour bestowed upon those who have truly enriched the club and our community through their dedication and service.
At our Presentation awards night we recognised some people for their extraordinary contributions to the club. During their long association with the club, they have not only represented the club in an honourable and dedicated manner, but they have helped bring this club success and make it a better place for all of us.
🌟 Lauren Dillon:
- Netball games: 214
- Best and Fairest Winner in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2024
- Started career in first Thomastown netball team in 2010
- Played in first winning netball premiership team in 2015
- Played in winning netball premiership team in 2017
Lauren exemplifies everything that makes our sport and club special. Kind, loyal and endlessly supportive, She has consistently placed the needs of others before her own, creating a positive and welcoming environment for players, volunteers and coaches alike.
She has always demonstrated dedication, determination and sportsmanship, always leading by example through hard work, resilience and team-first attitude.
Inspiring those around her through their integrity, encouragement and genuine care for others. She has nurtured players, supported teammates, and helped foster the values of respect, inclusiveness and community.
🌟 David Folino:
- 216 Football Games
- 2× Senior Premiership Player – 2008 & 2014
- Senior Leading Goal Kicker – 2009 and 2010
- 2008 Runner Up Senior Best & fairest
- 2009 Runner Up Senior Best & fairest
- 2014 Runner Up Senior Best & fairest
- 2007 NFL Representative Player
- Senior Assistant Coach – 2023
- Senior Co-Coach – 2024 and 2025.
A player who has quietly gone about his career at Thomastown while building an impressive résumé. Never one to talk up his achievements, he has always preferred to let his actions do the talking.
At his peak, while playing VFL football, David could have played anywhere. Apart from a brief stint in Division 1 at the request of his VFL club, his loyalty always remained with Thomastown.
Joining Thomastown from the Lalor Stars juniors in 2006, he has gone on to become one of the club’s most respected and long-serving players. If not for the interruption of COVID, this milestone would have arrived much sooner. After stepping away from the game for a couple of years, he returned when the club needed him most, joining the senior coaching panel in 2023. That return reignited not only his passion for the club, but also his playing career.
David has been much more than just a player. He has been a true clubman, someone who has always put the club first, whether on the field, in the coaches’ box, or helping drive standards and culture around the group.
To reach 200 senior games, two decades after making his debut, is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his loyalty, leadership and commitment to the Thomastown Football Netball Club.
🌟 Danielle Horman:
- Netball games: 206
- Runner Up Best and Fairest 2025
- Third Best and Fairest 2019
- Started career in 2011
For many years, this young lady has been the very definition of dedication. She is the person who quietly gets the job done, never seeking recognition and never complaining, regardless of the challenge. Danielle’s unwavering commitment, positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed have made her an invaluable part of our club.
Whether on the court or behind the scenes, she consistently gives her time, energy and support for the benefit of others. She has always placed the needs of the club ahead of her own, stepping up whenever required and contributing in countless ways to ensure the success and wellbeing of our sporting community.
Danielle’s loyalty, generosity and selfless approach have earned the respect and admiration of all who know her. Through her actions, she has shown what true club spirit looks like, leading not through words, but through quiet determination, kindness and an unwavering willingness to serve.
🌟 Andrew DeSanto:
- MAJOR Sponsor since 2013
Not every great Thomastown person needs to have pulled on the Thomastown jumper or sat around the committee table. Sometimes, the people who have the greatest impact on a club are those working quietly in the background, providing unwavering support year after year.
Since first coming on board in 2013, Andrew has been one of those people.
For more than a decade, he has been a major sponsor of our club. Not only has he provided significant financial support, but he has done so without ever asking for recognition or expecting anything in return. In fact, whenever the club has needed assistance, he has always been willing to do more, whether that's purchasing memberships, buying reverse draw tickets, supporting raffles, or simply finding another way to contribute.
The reality is that clubs like ours are built on the generosity and commitment of people like him. His support has provided stability and certainty, allowing generations of players, coaches, volunteers and members to enjoy and grow our club. There is enormous comfort in knowing there are people like this person who continually back the club and share in its vision.
Most people may not know the full extent of his contributions because he has never sought the spotlight. He has never asked for praise or recognition. He has simply supported Thomastown because he genuinely cares about the club and its people.
Join us in congratulating these 4 outstanding people, who have been given the honour of becoming life members of this great club.
