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Chairman’s Corner On behalf of the Board and staff of the Northern Football League I welcome you all to the first Chairman’s Corner of 2009. As always there was plenty happening during the off season, and we are all looking forward to the remainder of the season, as I am sure you are. A special welcome to the St. Mary’s Senior Football Club who have joined the league this year, and to Keon Park who have entered an Under 19 team for the first time. To Thomastown Football Club, welcome to Division One in 2009. To all of the new coaches, officials and volunteers who have taken on roles in 2009, welcome. To all of those who have had previous involvement and continue that commitment in 2009,welcome. OUR THEME –COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER Nobody would have imagined just how important this theme would become when we finalised our initial strategic plan just over 18 months ago. However, it is absolutely essential to mention upfront the sensational efforts of this league’s clubs in supporting our Bushfire Appeal Day in February. Of course this was conducted in conjunction with the Northern Metropolitan Cricket Association, and a sum of $62,358 was raised on the day. Thank you, not just to the clubs, but to all involved in making this such a successful day. To the NFL staff, you gave of yourself over this time in an unquestionable way and we all thank you for your wonderful efforts, support and contribution. To those clubs and individuals within our league who have made their own contributions to support the victims (some of whom are involved in this league) and the communities of those horrendous fires, we thank you. As we know, none were more effected or involved in that process than Whittlesea Football Club and we take the opportunity to praise you on everything you did during those most difficult of weeks that followed Black Saturday. Another example of just how well our participants can pull together for a great cause was the game played between Montmorency and Lower Plenty for the Terry Paterson shield. Terry of course was a local legend in the league and at both clubs.He sadly passed away in 2008.Funds raised on the night, attended by an estimated 1500 people, go towards the future education and upbringing of Terry’s children. It is this spirit and camaraderie within the league that will ensure we continue to move forward in the interests of all involved. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS Last year saw an enormous platform of change introduced to the league and we will continue to push on this year in line with our strategic plan as we work towards our goal of making this a league of choice for all in football and netball. Our Netball Competition now has 16 teams in its second season and we have formed an alliance with Plenty Valley Netball Association to allow us to produce a better product. Sharelle McMahon, Australian Netball Captain and Co-Captain of the Melbourne Vixens, has agreed to join us as Netball Patron of our league and we thank her enormously for aligning herself with us. On the Football side, we have seen some more growth, mostly at junior level and this year we will have 256 teams competing. We have seen 16 new junior teams introduced this year. Of course this doesn’t just happen and we know that there are many clubs and individuals driving this growth through the high participation at Auskick level in conjunction with AFL Victoria. The challenge strategically is to provide such a wonderful environment at club and league level, that the players and parents entering the game stay on in the future as players, administrators, coaches, and volunteers either in our league or at the elite levels. We also sincerely thank Brent Harvey, North Melbourne Captain, All Australian and former junior footballer in this league, for agreeing to be our football competitions patron/ambassador. We hope you return to the field soon after your elbow injury. 2009 will see modifications to our approach to Division 2 with a Division 3 coming into play after Round 13. We see this as an opportunity to provide a more even and competitive senior structure which not only attracts, but supports and drives growth, quality club development and retention in our senior competition. At the conclusion of Round 13 all Division 2 and Division 3 clubs will be invited to NFL H/Q’s to participate in the structuring of the draw for the final rounds, with both Divisions Finals series being conducted separately. We have again seen the many challenges of ground management and water management in action over the summer months, during what is well and truly now an extended drought. We are forever grateful to all of the Local Governments with whom we work in getting us into a position where most if not all grounds have been available since the start of the season. Thank you. In our pursuit of becoming a highly respected and leading sporting organisation, we will continue to work closely with AFL Victoria, essentially through the Northern Development team of Phiv Demetriou and Ashley Brown at the local level. Their role working with us is to provide the necessary education and support for all involved at club level. With constant turnover at clubs in particular, it is essential we continue to expose our people across the league to the required education and training. Not only to meet their needs, but to keep us at the level we have reached, in addition to taking us on a path of continuous improvement. In 2008 we were the pioneer league in Australian community football with the introduction of the Respect and Responsibility program. We are continuing with this program in 2009, and it is hoped that in addition to the 24 clubs who have already received the initial training that the remaining clubs join in shortly for the final session for 2009. The Quality Clubs program is also growing within our league and I know Phiv will be striving for even more success in 2009.Support him in his efforts, it is all directed at making the Northern Football League an Australian Rules Football competition of the highest quality. We have also introduced a number of fixturing changes in 2009 aimed at lifting attendances and the profile of the league. We have seen the first official NFL night game played at Montmorency on Anzac Day between last year’s Division One Grand Finalists, along with a range of other initiatives, mostly driven by club requests. We have also proceeded further in scoping the challenge of relocating our staff to more appropriate headquarters and in 2009 we look to really move this along in conjunction with AFL Victoria, City of Banyule and the AFL. The Junior Committee are continuing to review and modify our junior development program and more broadly the junior competition, under the guidance and direction of the board. We believe this will further strengthen the foundations of the league in the years ahead. OUR BRAND AND IMAGE When this league was formed in May 2007 the issues of brand and image were areas that concerned many participants, clubs and our other stakeholders. Since then, we have strived hard in this area and in 2008 we believe sound progress was made with excellent media coverage, strongly attended and excellently conducted finals series at both junior and senior level, and a pride in the league on display from clubs at all levels. So far in 2009, the Northern Football League’s website (www.nfl.org.au) has been redesigned with more capabilities and features to take the league’s message far and wide. We have also enhanced our Football Record to embrace our junior competition and are again supporting a local charity, the EPIC Centre in Bundoora. All represent positive developments within the league. However, I must reinforce my words from last year and say that whatever we do as a league in this area must be supported at club and individual level, with modern day community behavioural standards on display at all times on and off the field. Be competitive and passionate by all means, but be respectful in the process. The challenges of enhancing our brand and image won’t go away. To our many sponsors we again thank you for your support. Action Alliance, Concord Park Transport, Hot Sublimation, Sherrin Footballs, Boxandice, Red Onion, Victor Sports and Coca-Cola. We look forward to working with you all again in 2009 and beyond. The remainder of the year will again be one of many challenges for our clubs and the league. The demanding economic environment will touch us all in some way, and it will be the leadership at all levels within the league that ensures we all achieve our objectives. Thank you all again for participating in, and supporting, the Northern Football League in 2009. Please rest assured that the contribution, support and enthusiasm from all go along way towards making this a league of choice – and we treasure this at our level. Best wishes to all in 2009. Frank Rosbrook Chairman, Northern Football League |
