2010 Update

I attended the IAFA AGM last week and a couple of matters arose from it, plus there are a few things to consider on a club basis.

Players: If you have no intention of returning to play in 2010 could you please let me know by return email or phone call asap.


We have a few players interested in joining but as we will have only two teams again, places for new players will be limited. To make the process fair we will soon announce registration procedure, including a rego deadline. All existing players who pay their money by the deadline will be confirmed in a team. After that, new players will be given an opportunity to fill up the teams to the numbers required. Please feel free to pass this email on to people who think might be interested. If those are reading this they should let me know their interest by email or attendance at the kickarounds on Sundays or Wednesdays (Jim Allen Oval Wombarra) over the next month or so.

Team nominations: These will be placed with the IAFA this week. Because the majority of our players are returning and we have no under 35s on the waiting list the intention is to nominate for two teams in Masters 2 again.

If both teams are in the same division the expectation (open for further discussion) is that the squads will stay as they were. New players will be introduced based on the team they prefer to play for and the connections to those bringing them in. In this case the teams will have autonomy again to choose their overall squad number (while understanding that all returning players are guaranteed a position as long as they pay by the deadline). If the IAFA registers us in different divisions, as is possible, we will discuss how to proceed and this might include disbanding the current teams and grading an A and B team.

Rego: The IAFA is currently reviewing a decision on whether or not to join the unified Football South Coast along with most other football bodies in the Illawarra. If they do this will mean we remain under the auspices of Football NSW. We have been told that FNSW intends to levy all players a further $20 on top of existing levies in 2010. The alternative is to form a breakaway competition like the pub league but still playing on Saturday afternoons.

With the FNSW levies now up to approx $100 plus our need to pay for rego, insurance, increased WCC ground hire and referee fees, we might be looking at s slight fee increase although my hope is that we can continue to keep this at $200 for the coming season.


The future: The IAFA reported that more than 70 percent of players in their 60 teams (3 open age divisions, two masters divisions) were over 35 last season. They are calling for input on the possibility of changing one of the masters divisions to over 40s or over 45s in 2011, or making the third open division an over 40s or over 45s comp. I’d like feedback on whether we should support this as a club. My feeling is that it would help extend the careers of some of our older players – I know we have some who could play an over 50s com so I’d be most interested on their perspective. All comments on this will be collated and form part of our club submission, which I would like to give them by the end of this year.

Kick arounds: These are happening on Sundays and Wednesdays. From this week Wednesday is for an hour from 6.30pm. Sundays have been getting later and with the heat it would be great to have kickoff at 8.30am.

Jerseys: If you still haven’t returned your playing kit from last season please do so on a wed or Sunday or drop in the mailbox at 485 main road.


Website: I’ll be kicking this back up again now, so for info on training washouts etc keep and eye on the shoutbox.


Questions. Let me know if you have any questions for now and I’ll do my best.



Cheers TH10