I am writing to advise you that David Andrews has resigned as President of the MSJFL and I have been asked to fill the void in the interim.
As you are all aware I have been a strong advocate for reform, including the establishment of the Future Directions sub-committee, which was supported by the delegates at our meeting on November 10, to determine the best way forward and consider :
- The role of the chairman and president
- The role and composition of the independent board (executive)
- The independent tribunal and investigations committee
- Improved governance
- The possible role of paid staff including a CEO and an Operations Manager
Additionally Chris Touli and I met with AFL Vic on Monday evening to explain the process we intend to go through for bringing about greater transparency and reform to the MSJFL for the betterment of Junior Football. I also raised issues regarding the recent developments of how this is having a detrimental impact on the league, causing a division which if it continues as is is likely to result in two Junior Football Leagues operating in the same region, with less clubs and sides. The result will be competition for players in order to strengthen their respective competitions, which is inconsistent with AFL Victoria's own report. Additionally we also mentioned that the MSJFL has continued to grow over the years because it has resisted becoming involved in political issues and focussed predominately on one thing and that is to ensure that children have every opportunity to play a game of football irrespective of whether your senior club was an independent entity or aligned to the SFL or the VAFA, which in my opinion was a strength.
The AFL Victoria's report raised several key findings in regard to how the League needs to improve administratively, which I fully support and intend to call a meeting next week to present our proposal to address the issues raised and reassure clubs change is occurring and MSJFL is operational.
Russell McMurray
Acting MSJFL President
Last Modified on 17/03/2011 10:40