Hi all !
Unfortunately our new Club Newsletter is still in production and taking a bit longer than anticipated, so we thought we'd email you all at this point to keep you in the loop. There is a lot of important information included, so please keep reading !
A lot of people have been very busy behind the scenes since October last year planning and preparing for the season ahead which is now only 4 weeks away ! Round 1 commences on Saturday 13th April with the Burra travelling to Riddell for the first game of the season. A club fixture is attached for you to print and stick to your fridge for future reference.
FIXTURE SEASON 2013
You'll notice a difference to the RDFL Senior fixture this season. Firstly, although there are still 18 rounds in the Home & Away Season, with the inclusion of Rupertswood Football Club in the RDFL this year it has created byes within the fixture. Each club will have 2 byes for the season meaning we only actually play 16 games instead of the usual 18. This has resulted in us losing one home game this year, and as you would appreciate, home games are are a means of bringing much needed income to the club. With this hit to our club, it's so important that we receive all the support we can from our members during the year. By actively supporting and/or attending club functions, fund raisers, player sponsorships and your membership payments, it will be a great help in keeping your club in the black.
There is also an Interleague round with no Home & Away games being played on that weekend, and most importantly WE ARE FIXTURED TO PLAY ON THE SATURDAY OF THE QUEENS BIRTHDAY LONG WEEKEND, so please don't make any plans !
The RDFL Grand Final is also being played a week earlier than usual on Sunday 15th September 2013, being two weeks before AFL Grand Final instead of one week before. (It would be a good idea to keep that date free !!)
PRACTICE MATCHES
The Burra has three scheduled Practice Matches prior to the season commencing. The first Practice Match took place today against Springbank Football Club at Corio near Geelong with the heavens opening and a dose of footy weather provided for the boys !
The other two Practice Matches are scheduled as follows:
- Saturday 6th April against East Point FNC AT DIGGERS REST !! This is the week before round one, with games commencing the same times as previous. The Netballers have arranged a Practice Match on the same day where hopefully they'll have their first game on our brand new netball courts.
Feel free to get along to the Practice Matches to catch a glimpse of how our teams are lining up for the season ahead.
SEASON LAUNCH FUNCTION
Following our home Practice Match on Saturday 6th April, there will be a Season Launch event in the Burra Club Rooms that evening. Drinks, food and music will set the scene to regroup, meet the new players, mingle with the old, and have a great time with our fellow Burra friends. Players, members, supporters, partners and friends are all welcome and encouraged to attend a great night at the Burra in anticipation of our year ahead.
AUCTION NIGHT
Following the resounding success of our Auction Night last year, we have this years planned for Saturday night 4th May after our Round 4 home game against Rockbank. This is an event on the Burra calendar that is integral to our finances this year. And for it to be at least the success it was last year, we desperately need your help. YES, YOU !!!
Firstly, we need goods and items to sell on the night. There is an enormous amount of work that goes into preparing the night, and as it's only 7 weeks away we need to start with our inventory of items to sell. If you have, or know of anyone with saleable items that can be donated, please contact either Paul Downey 0408 488 775, Ben Morse 0407 030 777 or Lance Eddy 0401 700 347. If you have things that you're not sure are what we're after, please ask because the chances are we could sell them ! Assistance with transporting items could also be arranged.
Then, once you've helped with providing items for sale, we need you to attend the night along with your wallets ! Goof and Lefty will be back with their entertaining auctioneer skills that will ensure every item is sold ! Last year was a lot of fun and raised a lot of money for your club, so please get behind this vital event on our calendar.
MEMBERSHIP PAYMENTS
Membership payments are now due and payable ! Whilst our great Treasurer Lance Eddy always ensures the bank balance is sufficient for the enormous outgoings at the start of the year, once these payments are met our account rapidly depletes and we need these membership payments in asap to help keep us going. Early payment of your 2013 membership would be greatly appreciated.
PLAYER MEMBERSHIPS:
Please speak to Lance Eddy about how much your player membership payment is - Ph 0401 700 347 email: lance_eddy1@hotmail.com or catch up with him at training. Payment instalment plans may be arranged if required. There will be a payment cut off date early in the season so best to get it out of the way as soon as possible.
CLUB MEMBERSHIPS:
DRFNC Club Membership payments this year are:
Standard Membership: $50 with membership token and free entry to all home games (saving $14.00 for the season)
Player Sponsor Membership: $80 with membership token, free entry to all home games, and your name under the photo of your chosen player (subject to availability) in the Burra Club Rooms.
Please see Lance Eddy to complete and sign your 2013 Club Membership & Code of Conduct form and arrange payment.
PLAYERS & MEMBERS:
Thank you so much to those that have already paid.
For those yet to pay, methods of payment are as follows:
- Cash
- EFTPOS
- Cheque made payable to: Diggers Rest Football Club Inc
- Direct Credit to our Bank Account: Bendigo Bank
(Please contact Lance for banking details)
Lance will be at training most Tuesday and Thursday nights to accept your payments.
UNDER 18.5'sWe are happy to see so many of our Under 18.5 boys back again for another season in 2013. However, with players moving up due to their age, a few not returning and minimal flow through from Diggers Rest Junior Under 16's, our numbers for the team this year could be better. We are grateful to the RDFL for taking on our cause and assisting us to commence the season fielding an Under 18.5 team, however we still are in need of more players to supplement what we have. Player injuries and a minimal bench on game days don't help our boys to be the best they can be, so we're putting the call out for more players. If you know of any boys aged under 18.5 that would like to play footy at our great club and give our boys a chop out, please contact Under 18.5 coach Chris Payne on 0402 859 593 or email payney18@hotmail.com as soon as possible.
GO BURRA !!
Last Modified on 17/03/2013 00:52