From: The Chairman, AGM – Monday 2^nd December 2019

Approx 35 people attended the recent AGM at WAFC offices, to hear how 2019 season unfolded and the plans for 2020. A big opportunity for AFLMWA.

3 Board positions were filled by renominating Board members, for a 3 year term.

Darren Eiffler, Midwest representative Board Member

Nathan Dixon, Metro Board Member

Rob Cox, Metro Board Member

Chairman’s Report 2019 – delivered at recent AGM

Well the 2019 year has literally flown past in the blink of an eye. Only feels like yesterday that the updated Constitution was implemented, and the Strategic Plan was developed.

From the lessons learned in 2018 with Sports TG, some clubs were able to navigate the software and comply with all the requirements of player registration, team sheets preparation and after game updates. The data entered into the database needs to be accurate for a few reasons, mainly so the statistics can be used for decisions relating to age groups and demographics, also when we do have an indiscretion on field or off field, and penalties apply, correct implementation of those penalties can be applied. From an insurance point of view, the player needs to be correctly registered  and any penalties need to documented. A positive for 2019 is the reduction in yellow cards, and no Community Football Tribunal cases in Masters.

This year saw the partial implementation of the common umpiring pool undertaken by the WAFC and paid umpires be utilised in the South West. The use of the Schedula software to assist with umpire allocations did not meet the requirements of Masters football, so it was shelved for future implementation. To all those umpires who put their hand up this year, a massive thank you, we don’t have a game without you guys, you are an important part of the fabric of Masters Football and your efforts were appreciated.

To the 3 clubs, Nollamara, Quinns and Warnbro, thank you and well done on promoting masters football and engaging in the generation of female masters fixtures. Whilst many challenges were experienced and I’m sure at times frustrations, it was the first step in this competition growing to be able to cater for over 35s females who want to get a kick. As a Board we made the decision to sponsor a set of jumpers for these clubs to help kick start the new teams, and by all accounts the women enjoyed their footy.

In addition to the growth from the women’s players, we welcomed Pickering Brook in to the Supers competition. Hopefully the boys from Pickering Brook enjoyed their first year and will look to host a carnival day in future years.  In 2020 we will be welcoming another supers team via the Piara Waters Harrisdale Bears - The work this club has done to prepare themselves for joining the Masters Association will set them up for many years to come, they have a funding model like no other club, and suggest if you are interested to know what Warren and his committee have done to set themselves up financially for many years have a chat with them after this meeting.

Recently, the Chairman of the WAFC, Murray McHenry retired after a distinguished career volunteering to the game in WA, AFLMWA thanks Murray for his support,  leadership and assistance over many years.  Wayne Martin has assumed the Chair, along with the new appointment of Amber Banfield, and returning appointment of Cheryl Edwards and Neil Randall, the Commission is in a strong position to continue the work commenced under Murray.  Gavin Taylor, again has been a massive supporter of Masters Football and we thank him for his assistance.

Thanks to those who contributed to the 91.3SportFm Radio show this year, another great season in review, funny stories, entertaining interviews and a not so serious look at Masters Football.

This year AFLMWA fielded 6 teams in the National Carnival in Townsville, 170 in the touring party, with the 45s men’s team successfully winning Division 1. Arguably the biggest news from Townsville was the announcement that the National Carnival is coming to Perth in 2020 with a significant opportunity to facilitate growing the game in WA in future years. It is the intent of this Board to co-ordinate a successful carnival that not only allows WA players to compete, but provide a significant financial windfall for the local Association, so that those funds can be used to grow the brand, the game and the profile in WA in future years. A massive thank you to the sponsors of the state teams, AtWork Australia, Burswood Seafoods, Ocean View Tavern, Hip Pocket Workwear, Tutt Bryant, The Paving Blokes and AAC Building Panels.

A Perth Organising Committee has been structured, working hard in the background to implement some massive plans all based around games at Langley Park in the City of Perth show casing what this great state is all about. Shortly, Coaching and Team Manager positions will be advertised, if you have any interest or wish to nominate please catch up with James or myself. Nominations for players will occur early in the New Year, please note there is a criteria which must be met before acceptance on a team.  Whilst we realise we won’t keep everyone happy, I’m sure everyone understands that there needs to be a process when there could be limitations on the number of players that can play at the Carnival.

Another point worth noting, we have the opportunity to access many discounts for all WA Masters players throughout the year due to the Carnival being in Perth.  When we discuss Carnival opportunities with potential sponsors or partners, we have always asked for benefits that can be taken up by WA players throughout the year, and for years after the Carnival.  Details of the benefits are shared on the WA Masters Facebook page and the website. If you or anyone you know may have an interest to partner with us or sponsor the Carnival please see Dave Castle or myself.

To all those Club Presidents, (and committees) thank you for your input and your organisational skills to arrange many successful carnivals, game days, events and fundraising opportunities to allow the approx. 2000 players to play the great game, enjoy some fellowship and contribute in a positive way to the community. It doesn’t go unnoticed by the WAFC, that AFLMWA clubs lead the way in Community engagement in many ways from fundraising to donations of time and effort.

Special mention to our new Life Members, Hall of Famers, Country and Metro Club and Persons of the year who were acknowledged at the amazing Hall of Fame event in July. Rob Cox, you did an amazing job in the background organising that event.

Thank you to all the wonderful sponsors of the league, WAFC, Carlton & United Brewing, 91.3SportFM, Burley Sekem, Cranetech, EWA Electrical Wholesalers, Minuteman Press Welshpool, Insurance 4 Footballers, Paraplegic Benefit Fund, Myelec Electrical, Modern Motor Trimmers, Rottnest Express, ROPS Engineering and Burswood Seafood, your assistance during 2019 has been invaluable and much appreciated.

This year we welcomed Vic Tomlinson and Dave Castle to the Board, both have added to the discussions around the Board table. Congratulations to the returning Board members  and a massive thank you to the other Board members who contribute and will continue to do so in 2020, a close knit stable group who are aligned, working to a plan and wanting the best for AFLMWA, a special thank you to the partners of those who serve on the Board, as without their consent it makes the job a lot harder.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank James Hunt, our Board Administrator, who has been snowed under this year with many priorities not only from AFLMWA, but the Community Tribunal and other Affiliate Associations , doing it all in a two day a week allotted timeframe, thanks mate, we really appreciate the effort and the time you put into AFLMWA.

On behalf of the Board, thank you to all the volunteers who helped out in 2019 in all the different ways that football clubs and associations need to operate, please enjoy the Xmas New Years period with your family and friends, remember though Xmas, families and get togethers can be difficult and sometimes you might just need a mate to lend you an ear or have a chat, please reach out to your fellow Masters mates and have that chat. It could just be the difference that person needed. 

Look forward to catching everyone in the New Year for a kick and all the best for 2020.

Regards

Nathan Dixon

Chairman AFLMWA