16 October 2020
Pictured: AFL Chairman Richard Goyder and CEO Gillon McLachlan in 2019.
Letter from AFL Chairman and AFL CEO
Thank you.
After one of the toughest years for football, we wanted to pass on the thanks of all members of the AFL Commission to your club and formally acknowledge all our hard-working volunteers at community football clubs across the country. Without the incredible support and dedication, passion and commitment of so many volunteers at the thousands of community clubs and NAB AFL Auskick centres across the country, our game would not be able to welcome and engage the 1.7m people who participate in Australian football each year. Your work and your commitment is so vital to our great game and its ability to reach as many people as possible. We wanted to acknowledge that contribution and say how grateful we are for all the work in the community that your club and its volunteers do to promote and expand our game. We know it has been a mixed year for many local leagues and clubs. In SA, despite a challenging start to the year, it has been great to see the SANFL and the majority of community competitions complete truncated seasons. Whatever the situation has been for individual clubs we know volunteers have been vital in keeping families connected to the club and ensure they still feel that sense of belonging that is one of the key features of local community football. While we are thrilled - and relieved - to have been able to deliver the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season and as we edge closer to a history-making 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final on Saturday, 24th October, at the GABBA, we know that is only part of the equation for Australian Football in this country. A strong community football base is vital to the future of the game and remains a key priority. Thank you for your hours of effort and support and please pass on to all members of your committee, your coaches, players and training staff and all the volunteers associated with your club, including the many individuals and families who support your club, our sincere thanks and appreciation. The Covid pandemic has had an impact on participation this year and an impact on the ability to generate revenue at all levels of the game. We will continue to work with all State Governments and our State and Territory affiliates to build on our community return to play protocols to ensure we can recommence in 2021 in a way that ensures the safety of players, volunteers, families and the wider community. Again, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for Australian football and please pass on our gratitude to all at your club and also to the sponsors and financial supporters of your club for their backing of grassroots sport. I hope you enjoy the 2020 Toyota Grand Final and we look forward to working with you to continue to take our game to more people next year. Yours sincerely,
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Gillon McLachlan Chief Executive Officer
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Last Modified on 16/10/2020 18:51