A big welcome to all as we look to the 2009 season, much planning work has been undertaken to this point – whilst I dare say much more lies ahead as we aim to further the successes of AFL on the Sunshine Coast.
Firstly apologies regarding the league Website over the past month or so as for much of that period it has been down which has resulted in a less than desired communication channel for all things AFL Sunshine Coast. In mid December we saw the League make the decision to come on line with the AFL Sporting Pulse Footy Web system, which will see changes to our match day information recording; our clubs will be all over this as we undertake training programs leading into the season.
With this change in match day recording we unfortunately lose our relationship with Richard O’Leary’s Sports Administration System (SAS). We thank Richard and SAS for their fine contribution over the past four years in making the AFL Sunshine Coast Juniors a more professional outfit through match day recordings and resultant website production.
The big thing at this time of year is Sign On and it’s now all systems go for Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February – 10am to 2pm at your local club. We certainly ask for all players to give some prompt form of participation indication to their club, as we look to plan team numbers, competition make ups etc for the coming season.
Clubs will continue to take sign on’s well past this date, as the Leagues philosophy is to always get participants a game of footy, but some early indication helps clubs plan for best team nomination numbers. Our advertising sees us with a presence in the Sunshine Coast Daily late week and next week some radio work with Hot 91 – these ads will simply refer to our website for further detail.
On Saturday 7th February we will also be holding a league sign on at Rebel Sport Maroochydore from 10am to 12 noon. A 15% Rebel Sport discount voucher is on offer to those who take opportunity to sign on at Rebel Sport.
New participants to Sunshine Coast AFL are reminded that they are required to produce a birth certificate at sign on; and youth players transferring will need to complete a clearance form.
The AFL also has some fantastic “Codes of Conduct” that coaches, officials and parents are expected to abide by. Parents at sign on will be request to read and sign to these codes – all in an effort to make the participation experience for our kids A1 enjoyable! AFL Kids First, “we’re not playing for sheep stations” is the message!
Joe Brennan the 2009 League President and his Management Committee team have been working hard since their November inauguration (nearly as grand as Obama day) and in coming months through grading committees, sponsorship, strategic planning, administration needs etc will have much to work to ponder. Past League President Adam Croxton is enjoying his days playing golf with George Bush, a well deserved time out – although at times he is still lent upon for United Nations aid.
An AFL Season Launch is planned for Saturday 21st March which will take place at Rebel Sport Maroochydore. Activities are planned, some within the store, a Brisbane Lions visit will liven the place up, whilst a 20% discount day will operate for all AFL champions. More detail will follow.
Season 2009 officially gets underway on the weekend of Friday 27th and Sunday 29th March for our youth competitions, an 18 week home and away season is planned finishing mid August with again the AFL Sunshine Coast Juniors Grand Final day set for that other day in September – the first Sunday – 6th.
This preseason the League hasn’t scheduled any carnival football for our youth age groups instead leaving it up to the clubs to schedule their own practice matches. In 2008 preseason Noosa hosted Caloundra JAFC in a most successful youth challenge day and again we would see that these days are more beneficial for clubs as a whole.
The Management Committee still holds out hope that the league may field three under 12 divisions, however team nomination numbers will dictate our ability to deliver on this. But certainly if clubs get that next team eg: Gympie, Glasshouse Hint, Nambour & Hint etc or Maroochydore field a fifth team we will look to best structure lower competitions (division 2 or more likely 3) to cater for best participation opportunities – time will tell on these outcomes.
In the under 14’s we will again host two divisions, make ups of these competitions will again fall back on the grading committee and in turn the Management Committee as best participation models are sought. In 2009 we believe from projected numbers that we will register our highest ever numbers at this level, with clubs like Maroochydore looking at four teams if all 2009 players return and based on some early additional enquiry through our office. Recent clubs in Kawana Park and Coolum Beach are now very much part of the 14’s landscape.
Post 2008 season planning forums were held specifically focussing on under 16 football and our wish to create fairer and more equitable competitions. This year our greatest projected registration numbers at this age group appear likely to happen, possibly some 250 registrations - so we aim to shape two fantastic competitions. Some clubs are working hard to field two teams, whilst we will see Gympie and Kawana Park clubs add to our team numbers – Gympie had a 16’s muster Thursday 29th January that had 10 on the track plus numerous apologies. To give all an opportunity to field teams, the Management Committee will reserve the right to manage minimum participation numbers in the planned division 2 competition of 16’s – so let’s just get it happening!
For the littlies in under 8’s / 10’s (LMP) their 2009 campaign will kick off with a season opening carnival at Nambour & Hinterlands Jubilee Drive “woods” fields on Sunday 5th April (then back to play after the Easter school holidays). Some changes will happen in the fixturing of Local Match Play 8’s and 10’s for the central and northern zones. As we look to the Gympie Cats AFC localising their 8’s and 10’s in 09 – “Cool Cats AFL Junior, footy on a Friday night at the cattery …. from late March to mid August”.
Please remember that a minimum participation age now exists for AFL Junior, being that a participant must turn 7 in 2009. For the younger players our clubs are working on Auskick delivering all the participation needs to 5 and 6 year olds.
NAB AFL Auskick is again a big player in 09 – we will deliver 48 centres across the coast this year, from schools to high powered in season club based 12 week programs. Auskicks fantastic partner in NAB will be amongst the action at certain centres whilst they also offer some fantastic additional participant competitions in 09 – stay tuned. Term one Auskick will see clubs Nambour & Hinterland, Pomona, Gympie, Caloundra, Noosa and Kawana Park offering this AFL introductory fun; whilst the other clubs aim to deliver in season 12 week programs. Term one school based centres will operate at Beerwah SS, Maleny SS, Meridan SC, Chatsworth SS and Currimundi SS.
This off season has produced some Sponsorship difficulties for the League, with November bringing an eight year partnership with Caloundra RSL to an end. Then early year Mad About Timber with tougher economical times after 4 solid years relinquished their partnership. We thank both Caloundra RSL and Mad About Timber for their generous support in the past. Looking forward the League has a major sponsorship proposal in the hands of another key community organisation and we hope the coming weeks will produce some exciting outcomes. Whilst we also strive to create a friends of Sunshine Coast Junior AFL “Sponsorship 30 club”, 30 businesses in with $1000.00 – a raffle to give some great branding outcomes – and for all a community feel good with recognition. There is still opportunity to join this select group, so if you are interested please contact the Juniors office – 5443 2030.
We trust this bulletin has served the purpose of a pre season info update and trust all are excited about the season ahead. So get down to your local club early February tell ‘em you’re pumped and AFL footy is all about you – let’s get a team going!
Last Modified on 05/03/2009 17:59