2009 Presidents Note

2009 Presidents Note

Welcome to everyone to the 2009 Bluey's Football season. I hope that the summer break has been relaxing and you are ready and raring to go this year.

Football is growing consistently and our club had a significant increase in the U5/6/7/8 year age group numbers last year. We are looking forward to further growth in the club this year.

Skills based Small Sided Games and non competition format for 5 to 9 year olds, Girls football, Ladies O/30 Football, U/15 Football on Saturday and an O/35 competition on Friday nights. There are many new ideas being trialled in our association to improve the opportunity for people to participate and enjoy their football.

With growth and time, the club needs more people to come forward and assist in the running of the club. There are a number of committee and other positions unfilled and which cannot remain unfilled. Positions such as Coaching Co-ordinator, Member Protection Officer, Duty Officers for weekends are critical to the efficient running of the club. As people and their children grow and move through the club, new members need to take up the roles that make the club environment enjoyable for all. Please come to see me or executive members Gordon Aiken, Sandy Duetoft and Len Bowman for further information.

Coaching remains a critical issue and the club is keen to see all coaches properly accredited. We will pay the coaching costs of coaches who wish to undertake an appropriate course. The Football Federation of Australia in coming years will require this.

This year as well, there is a need to improve referee coverage. Referee's remuneration has been increased significantly to improve participation for fully qualified referees. The Nepean Football and Nepean Referee's Associations have teamed up to also offer Club Referee training in February/March. We would like to be able to submit a list of 10 -15 people from our club who would like to assist with occasional refereeing duties when there are insufficient official referees on weekends. You may discuss this with me if further information is required.

Our Knapsack Park improvement plans are moving along well. We are in the 'Masterplan' planning phase and while no funding has been allocated to physical works at this stage, a complete plan will eventuate to enable a co-ordinated improvement program to occur.

To our club sponsors, thank you. Glenbrook Panthers, Glenbrook Health Foods, Blaxland Pharmacy, Bodyfit Gymnasium and EDT Global Employment are worthwhile sponsors reducing the cost of our club members participating in football. Please give them you support and support our club.

Good luck to all teams in 2009.


Ian Monaghan
BMSC President