To:
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NCF Clubs and Coastal League One Women clubs
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From:
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Andrew Woodward, General Manager
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Date:
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Thursday, 19 May 2022, 4 pm
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Re:
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NCF Club Bulletin 22-025
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HEADLINES
- Announcement re the season extension (for noting)
- General views (for info)
- Addressing specific issues raised (for info)
QUICK REFERENCE
- Download this bulletin: Link
- Club info online: Link
DETAIL
- Announcement re the season extension (for noting)
A statement will be going out overnight concerning the extension of the season, in some divisions, due to the ongoing weather. The statement is here (link) and will be on the NCF website and social media channels in the next 12 hours. The key points in the statement are:
- Competitive (12 and up) regular-season competitions will conclude in mid-September, three weeks later than planned. The September school holidays will be observed (no scheduled matches), and the finalists will return for the playoffs in October. Grand finals will occur on either 21, 22 or 23 October 2022.
- MiniRoos (11 and under) will conclude in mid-September, making up three weeks of lost football. NCF is also examining the staging of gala days to deliver additional opportunities to teams.
- Coastal League One Women (inter-zone first grade women's competition) will continue as usual, and finals will occur in September or October, depending on field availability and the season's progress.
- Coastal Premier League Men (inter-zone first and reserve grades men's competitions) has commenced, and a decision will be made in the next week on whether to stay with the current schedule or extend into October.
- Draws for all competitions are current only until the end of June and will be reframed for July, August and September to take into account required changes.
- General views (for info)
There is a lot of anger and frustration in all sports concerning the lack of play, on the north coast, in Newcastle and the Hunter and Sydney. I know many parents and coaches are taking it out on club volunteers. You're copping it. We're copping it. That's unwarranted, unfortunate, and unfair. People are attacking people in authority everywhere currently. It's "a thing" (link). It is, however, in the minority rather than the majority. If you get the chance to respond to people, I suggest something like the following:
- We're as disappointed and frustrated as you.
- We're doing our best, as are councils and other football administrators.
- We have had a year's worth of rain in four months.
- Fields are closed by councils and clubs primarily due to the risks to player safety.
- Fields can also suffer long term damage from use when soggy.
- A saturated playing surface can also render a field not up to an acceptable standard for play and or competition.
- We're making changes to get in as much football as possible.
- In 2020 we started in early July and finished in October, and people were happy enough.
- Some football is better than no football.
- Please be patient, and we'll be in touch.
- Addressing specific issues raised (for info)
A few specific issues have been raised in the WhatsApp chat that I would like to respond to:
- Refunds and deregistration - advice: We use our best endeavours to deliver 15 match days plus pre-season and finals. We're still a good chance to deliver this or go very close to it. We learned from our experience in 2020, when we started in early July, of what's possible. I recommend that you appeal to people to be patient and hang in there. As I said, some football is better than no football.
- Refunds and deregistration – formalities: Refunds are possible, but there's a procedure and 'it's complicated". For the record, the policy is here (link). Further, redeemed Active Kids Vouchers can't be refunded for cash or transferred in certain circumstances. See the Service NSW website (link) for details.
- Ongoing poor weather and impacted fields: If the problem continues, we will, of course, respond accordingly. Our focus is playing football this year - when, where and how we can.
- "This year is not going to happen": When I started this job in 2020 (pre-COVID), the biggest concern was drought, water restrictions and bone-dry fields turning to dust and not allowing play. Things will change. Football will happen this year. Abandoning the season is not a consideration.
- MiniRoos not continuing into October: It may be that small-sided matches proceed on different venues as there's less impact on fields, and smaller fields can be used. Clubs are welcome to identify and use there if you so choose. Regarding the reason for not extending MiniRoos into October. It's straightforward, they don't play finals. We're only looking to play finals in October. All regular seasons will conclude by the start of the September school holidays. MiniRoos will get the same scheduled amount of regular season football as competitive divisions. We'll also examine some MiniRoos gala days if problems persist.
- Expenses incurred by clubs: I am writing to councils seeking some relief from any fees they impose on clubs. I have written to Coffs Council (link) and will be writing to others.
- State of the game: Up until the rain came, the floods hit, and the fields were damaged, NCF Zone was heading for another record year, which is a better year than any year previously in player numbers. Our numbers last year were at record levels, and we were on track to exceed that this year. Player registrations in the Clarence Valley pretty much ceased when the floods came. That's completely understandable. But before this, clubs on the Coffs Coast and in the Clarence Valley were heading for a good year. So, yes, things are difficult now, but they're not reflective of the overall situation.
- NCF supports representative pathways at the expense of grassroots community football: Players and their families choose to participate in the NCF SAP and NPL programs. There is no requirement for anyone in NCF competitions to make themselves available for inclusion in either program. Certainly, if there's a talented player we're made aware of, they will be invited to trial, but no one is under any obligation to join either program. No one has their fees paid for. There are some small grants in the case of financial hardship. The SAP and NPL programs are self-funding.
ENDS
Sent to : <<First name>> <<Last name>>, <<Organisation>>
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