With season 2014 behind us we now look to focus on our 2015 season. All clubs would have been very active in what we call the off season, but for some there is no break from football, when your season ends most clubs go into preparation for the following year and our clubs in the North Central are no different. Looking at the administration side the North Central has a new Board Member in Chris Hogan, Chris will bring a lot of experience with him to the Board Table having been a past President and committee person of the Birchip-Watchem Football Club over many years. With Chris joining the Board we have a long serving member to the North Central in Rob Williams stepping down from the Board, Rob has been a member of the North Central executive prior to the introduction of the Board and then being appointed as a member to the Board and has held a place at the board table since the introduction of the North Central Football Leagues Independent Board. To Rob we thank him for his input and his contribution to the league and in particular carrying out his role as the Junior Chairman for a large part of his time as a member of the NCFL execitive and as a board member. At club level we have five new Presidents and four new secretaries and we wish them all the best and hope that the time in office is enjoyable in their roles for their respective clubs. As we are aware getting people to take on these positions is not an easy task as it does take up a large part of your year as a volunteer member of your club.
In season 2015 the development of our junior players will be further advanced with the introduction of our Junior Academy, this adding to the already good development work being carried out by our Junior Development Officer in Alistair Egan. The Academy will cater for under 13 and under 16's along with those at under 15 level involved in the V/Line Cup squads. Training will be held at three different locations on a rotation basis in Boort, Donald and St Arnaud with the V/Line Cup squad training at Birchip where they will join up with the members from the Mallee League. Adding to the Academy will be our involvement in inter-league, Mallee Challenge and V/Line Cup so there is a fair bit on offer to give our future footballs a tast of playing at a higher level and this can only be good for our competition going forward. In the coming weeks we will bring together club members from both the Senior and Junior committees and club junior coaches to discuss issues within our junior competition and how we can best prepare for the future, this will be an important meeting with the league looking to have a strong representation from all clubs.
Football commences in the North Central on Saturday 11th April where we see reigning premiers Wedderburn take on Charlton in a rematch of last years grand final where Wedderburn defeated Charlton in extra time by just one point. In round three Saturday April 25th, ANZAC DAY there is likely to be some alteration to starting times for matches played on the Saturday as club are not able to charge any form of entry prior to 1 pm, there may even be some clubs agree to play on the Sunday 26th so they do not miss out on the much needed finances to run our clubs.
Pink Day supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia will be held on Saturday 9th May with host clubs being Donald, St Arnaud and Wycheproof-Narraport. Clubs in the North Central have been great at raising funds to support the Breast Cancer Network and I believe that 2015 will be no exception.
Inter-League in 2015 the North Central is setdown to play the Geelong & District Football League and we will once again travel to Geelong to play our Worksafe Country Championship matches in football and netball.
Some other important dates to remember, Feeny Medal night Wednesday 26th August, first semi Saturday August 29th, 2nd semi 5th September, Prelim Final 12th September and our Grand Final which we hope will be a standalone Grand Final with no clashes with Bendigo Football League will be played on September 19th. In 2015 the AFL Grand Final will not be played until the first week in October. Lightning Premiership and Mallee Challenge dates are yet to be decided on and we will advise clubs as soon as we are able to confirm both dates and venues.
To all club officials, players, supporters and volunteers I hope that your season is one of enjoyment and that your teams perform to your expectations.
Club supporters, players and officials when playing and supporting your teams please respect the umpires who are officiating, they are only human and like us all, they can and do make mistakes and like us if we make a mistake we know that we have done so and so will the umpires so respect and appreciate the job and part they play in our great game. Remember the more we abuse umpires, limits the chances of getting people interested in looking to umpiring and if this downhill slide in umpiring numbers continues then it wont be long before we will be looking at umpiring games by personal from within each of our clubs, we along with the umpires would appreciate your cooperation on this ever growing issue.
From the Chairman and Board Members we wish all involved in the North Central Football League all the best for the year and may all our games in all codes be played in the right spirit and hopefully injury free.
Last Modified on 29/01/2015 14:15
