News

While it’s the AFL off-season, our Club Board and Committee members have been busy getting preparations underway for 2019.

As part of our commitment to keep our members up-to-date with the latest Club news, here’s an update from the Board on the current Club activity underway following our recent Board meetings and engagement with the AFL.

Board and Committee vacancies
To help our Club continue its operation in 2019, we still have 3 volunteer vacancies we need to fill:
- VP Club Operations
- Canteen Co-ordinator
- A ‘shadow’ Registrar to learn the ropes starting in January from Judy Giacometti who will be finishing up in this role after this season.

Please contact Paul Thompson on president@stivesafl.com or on 0413 985 596 if you are interested or know someone who may want to help out.

We also need parents & guardians to help in coaching, coaching assistant and team manager roles, among other helpers for our teams. Please think about putting your hand up to help make your kids’ games run as smoothly as possible. We will ask for volunteers in the new year.

Registrations for 2019 season
We will contact all members in January when the $100 Active Kids vouchers are available to remind you to register for the next season. Joining details will then be updated in the ‘Join Us & Contacts’ section of our website/app.

2019 fees unchanged
As part of our commitment to supporting our members and growing our Club, we are pleased to confirm that membership fees for 2019 will be the same as this year.

2019 Club Key Dates
The AFL has released its calendar of key activities for next year. There will be 15 rounds starting on 12th April with 2 rounds before the Easter break. We will finalise the 2019 Club calendar in the new year and publish it for all members to plan the season ahead.

St. Ives Strategy and Planning
The Board has approved the establishment of a Strategy Sub-Committee headed by Peter Munckton, Club Secretary. Work is underway to prepare an initial discussion paper which will be circulated for feedback in the new year with all Club members and other key stakeholders – watch this space!

Referring friends and family to St. Ives?
We will run ‘Come and Try’ sessions from February to help kids who are new to AFL to try us out. Special Auskick (age 4 to 8) sessions will be held and for older girls and boys, we will let you know how you can come and join a training session with our expert and supportive coaches who will get you going.

Auskick 2.0
St. Ives AFL was one of the pilot Clubs for this program which proved successful. Thanks to all our parents and volunteers who helped out. The AFL has confirmed kids, parents and coaches enjoyed the new and improved Auskick experience, and this will be continued in 2019.

Grounds update
Discussions are continuing with the local Council on ground usage for 2019, including further use of St. Ives Showground as an overflow oval given the growth of our Club. We will provide further updates as decisions are made.

Coaching Co-ordination for 2019
Following the AGM election of Dean Robinson to the position of Coaching Co-ordinator, Dean will be meeting with the Board in the new year to discuss his ideas and coaching philosophy for the Club. We will update you on next steps and how Dean will work with our new and existing coaches after this meeting.

Coaches registration on www.coach.afl
This accreditation is mandatory and will flow through to FootyWeb so that coach details will appear on team sheets. If the coach name does not appear on the printed team sheet, they will not be permitted to coach. (NB. As per last year, coaches should forward their payment receipt to treasurer@stivesafl.com for reimbursement).

Umpiring Update
The AFL will move to a one-umpire approach for U9 and U10s in 2019. They will support new umpires in this role with a mentor and continue the umpire coaches attending games to give feedback.

Friday night games support
In 2019, we will support teams playing on a Friday night with a suitably qualified First-Aider/Emergency Response Coordinator and a Ground Coordinator. Teams still need to provide a Ground Manager to manage individual games.

2019 Club Guardians Program
The Board agreed to continue the Program for 2019 with the U17 boys already selected for this role, and we will also include three girls to Guardian roles. The approach will be documented and shared with Coaches & Managers prior to the season to help us to get the most out of this Program.

With Round 1 starting on 12th April 2019, the Board, Committee, Coaches and Managers are already busy making sure our players and volunteers are ready for another great season. Please contact Lindy Jones at footy2@stivesafl.com with any questions.

Last but not least, the Board and Committee of St. Ives Junior AFL Club wishes all our players, umpires, volunteers, friends and families a festive holiday season and a safe and happy new year!

Location

acron oval