It is a great privilege to be able to write an official welcome to the 2012 sea-son to all affiliates of the WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League.
We start this year again with the news that many communities have been affected by summer flooding in the North East of the state. These natural disasters have had a significant impact on our people involved in local foot-ball clubs, and put great pressure on local communities and people on the land. Again, as with challenges of the past, I cannot help but marvel at the resilience and positivity of the people in the badly affected clubs and the surrounding communities. We hope that the approaching football season can provide a welcome break against local hardships and a positive point of focus for the communities to rally around.
In the country, ‘a day at the footy’ means so many things. A chance to barrack, a chance to catch up with mates, a chance to play and compete, a chance to contribute and volunteer, and a chance to be involved in something bigger than yourself in representing your town or suburb. A huge amount of work has already been done by league and club administrators in preparation for the upcoming season. Sometimes the list of tasks can seem endless as we try to rally the support, equipment, finance and personnel around your club to ensure that our boys and girls have a place to play, and a club to be actively involved with. You are all to be commended for the effort in getting to the starting line, and the race will sort itself out on the back of your endeavours. We have heard time and time again over the last few weeks the old adage, ‘I just can’t wait for the first ball to be bounced’ – and that time is now nearly upon us for 2012.
I encourage all clubs to be mindful of the role the football club plays in your local community, and the care we need to take with the people involved in our clubs. Considering the needs of the volunteers at our clubs to be supported and valued, the medical and training needs of our players, the forethought to have policies in place that define good values and behaviours, and being educated on the social issues pertinent to young people at our club should be of as critical importance to who is kicking the goals on the weekend. Can I remind all clubs that the primary role of the VCFL is to provide assistance, advice and support to you on a wide range of issues and topics that it takes to run a football club. In almost every situation the WorkSafe VCFL can assist those affiliates that may find themselves ‘under the pump’ from time to time. I encourage all clubs to make contact with their VCFL Area Manager and to check the VCFL Website to see the range of support and assistance we can provide.
2012 promises to be another big year of opportunities for umpires throughout the WorkSafe VCFL with the ongo-ing development programs for coaches and mentors, and in particular the V/Line Umpiring Academies. Extensive opportunities for umpires to be selected for VCFL representative fixtures along with TAC Cup and VFL appoint-ments provide added incentives for good local performances. Can I again thank all sponsors at all levels of foot-ball through the WorkSafe VCFL and we trust that you enjoy a satisfying and rewarding year supporting the game at various levels.
In addition to the above, ongoing work continues as a result of the review into country football which took place across 2011. There is little doubt that what works today is likely not to meet the demands of tomorrow and the review and continued workings are looking to the future to ensure that the increasing demands of affiliates are achieved and improved upon on an ongoing basis. The second half of 2012 will be the timeframe for advising any outcomes to affiliates.
In concluding, on behalf of the WorkSafe VCFL Board, Management and Staff I would like to wish everyone a suc-cessful 2012 and again express our great appreciation to the 35,000 plus volunteers who make it happen each year despite the battles and challenges that are thrown up from time to time.
Yours faithfully,
Steven Reaper Chief Executive Officer WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League
Last Modified on 16/04/2012 16:20