Robins meet with AFL Broken Hill
Following the forfeit by West FC last Saturday in the Reserves Competition the Chairman of the CMC, Scott Dunn, called a meeting of the Competition Management Committee (CMC), the Board of AFL Broken Hill and the WFC Executive.
The meeting was held on Tuesday night and was chaired by Board Chairman Peter Nash.
West was represented by their new 2015 President Grant Smith and Vice President Ashley Byrne. Recently appointed Coach Paul Attard was also in attendance along with Tim Ferguson, Brent King and Brett Martin. Past WFC Chairman Wincen Cuy also attended to assist with some historical Club decisions.
Mr Nash commented that there are no winners with forfeits in any grade of competition and the Board and CMC would be negligent in our duty to foster the growth of the game if we did not sit around the table with any Club and have a conversation. The Board is ultimately guided by the adopted bylaws and other national policies that are in place Australia wide for regional football competitions.
West have had a challenging start to the 2015 season both on and off the field said Mr Nash. Many positions were unfilled at their AGM and Mr Smith has worked quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes to fill all the key roles. An exodus of younger players to other Clubs both before the season commenced and since has compounded a loss of many players interstate from the 2014 preliminary final team. The decision by initial Coach Ben Perkins to resign was a move he made in the best interests of the WFC said Mr Nash. People often gloss over the enormity of the task of Coaching and for Ben to be a Playing Coach just compounded the difficulty.
In appointing Paul Attard as Coach, ably assisted by Brent King and Tim Ferguson, West have a passionate long serving leader that given time, support and respect will make a positive change for his Club, said Mr Nash.
West cannot guarantee that forfeits won’t continue in the future but the Board and CMC is certain that West will be doing all they possibly can do to encourage all of their existing Players and hopefully some who have stopped playing to answer the call and come back, said Mr Nash. Injuries, suspensions and work rosters are impacting on West and all Clubs, but a local bylaw does allow for reserves games with just 14 players said Mr Nash.
Mr Smith commented that the WFC, whilst disappointed that players have left, need to move on, and we have done that. I am pleased at the immediate impact Paul has had on the playing group and his willingness to juggle family and work commitments demonstrates clearly too all Players that he is totally focused on implementing a change of culture at the WFC. The coaching group have challenged the senior players to attend training twice a week or communicate with him to be selected. This is a clear sign that he wants to professionalise our on field attitudes and standards.
Obviously that training regime is not always feasible or desirable for Players whose aspirations are to play Reserves football. Paul & Reserves Coach Clint Pearce would like to see all Players train at least once per week, even for Reserves, as this will improve fitness and minimise the chances of injury, but like most Clubs you are at the mercy of the Players in that competition. Some of the best Club people play Reserves grade football so we definitely want West to be playing Reserves footy every week.
Measuring success is not always a matter of wins & losses and so the short-term focus both on and off the field is to engage with our entire Robins’ supporters and former players. We have had a tough start to 2015 but the year is not lost. Some have been quick to forget we have played in the last 4 preliminary finals in A grade said Mr Smith, but our focus will still be an A Grade premiership.
Behind the scenes Mr Smith said he was grateful for and appreciated all the support he has received with extra members being appointed to the management committee in a number of roles, and the often unsung helpers, who assist with both club and on field matters.
Our Social Committee is ramping up some fun Saturday nights starting with the Sumo night a couple of weeks ago and our Western night this week. Watch our ads in the BDT and on Facebook for upcoming events – including the West Ball on August 22.
CMC Chairman Scott Dunn and his team of CMC volunteers and the two Ground Managers are always available to help all Clubs with any game day issues they have, said Mr Nash. Further our Football Operations Coordinator Ann Brown is available to help all Clubs with any technical help they need to manage their Club, Monday to Friday. Managing a Football Club is a time consuming voluntary role and thus I would encourage as many former Robin’s players and volunteers to rally behind Grant and Paul and together help steer the Robins to a sustainable future said Mr Nash.
Last Modified on 20/06/2015 08:55