Round 1 is just 8️⃣ weeks away - are you ready? 🔴🔵

Launch Day Success
Thank you to everyone who made our Season Launch Day so much fun and a great way to welcome back footy!
Special thanks to Nina Taylor, Member for Albert Park, for opening the day, City of Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo, Nicola Stevens St Kilda AFLW, Charlie Clarke Western Bulldogs AFL, Port Borough VFL and VFLW players, Colts Senior Players and all of our Sandy Dragons and St Kilda Next Gen Academy players who came along to inspire all of our junior players to 'be what they can see' at the Colts!
Thanks also to AFL Victoria for running a super 'Footy 4 Fun' session, 'Last Port Band' for keeping us entertained all afternoon and to Jane Lyon and Erica Smith from City of Port Phillip who oversee our Pavilion and Grounds for coming along to join us.
It was so wonderful seeing everyone collect their Bonus Training Pack, get their mouthguard fitted, swap some footy shorts or boots and get excited! Make sure you put your Colts bumper sticker on the back window of your car so you can spread the word about our great club!
Check out some of the photos from our Season Launch day below.

Pre Season Training has started - we need all players attending
It has been so great to see players coming back to training. We look forward to seeing all players back from this week.
All registered players should be receiving team notifications via TeamApp.
Check our your team's training time here.

What players need to bring:
Runners - no footy boots until the cricket season has finished.
Mouthguard
Water bottle
Hat

Registrations
We strongly ask that all parents register their child now so we can finalise teams. Please contact our registrar Kev, if the club can help with this process - registrar@portcoltsjuniorfootballclub.com.au.
Please register here

Collecting Merchandise
Wednesday March 8th from 4.30pm - we will have the following ready for collection for those that did not come on Season Launch Day:

Bonus Training Pack
Girls Puma Football Boots
New players - bag, socks, shorts
Footy boot swap
Footy shorts swap
We are expecting hoodies to be here in mid March. We will notify team managers to collect once they have arrived and distribute at training
Playing jumpers will be presented to players by coaches at informal jumper presentation sessions prior to Round 1

Ordering Merchandise
Please order any new shorts, socks, training tops etc now as they can take up to six weeks to be delivered. Order online here.

Get Active Kids Vouchers
Our club is registered for the Get Active Kids Voucher Program. Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees. Applications are now open.
Visit: https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/

Mouthguard Fittings
Seaside Smiles will be setting up at training on Wednesday on March 8th / 15th / 22nd from 4.30pm - 6.30pm for custom fittings and for collection to those who have already ordered.

Coaches 2023
Thank you to the following coaches who have committed to Season 2023.

Coaches will be asking parents to fill volunteer roles required of teams. Please make yourself available.
For each team, the key volunteer roles requiring accreditations are: (a) team manager, (b) coach, (c) assistant coach, (d) trainer, (e) runner, (f) umpire, (g) umpire escort, (h) goal umpire, (i) boundary umpire, (j) water carrier, (k) timekeeper. All volunteers will need to complete a Working with Children's Check.
Please put your hand up to assist your team. We need all of these roles filled in order for teams to be registered to play each week.

Get Ready for Round 1
Round 1 is 8 weeks away - Sunday April 23rd - we're excited, but there is still a lot of organisation that needs to come together to make it a success.
Here's what we need everyone to do to make sure we are ready.

TeamApp: It is essential that all officials and parents download and check the TEAMAPP and use this platform to check for messages from the club and team officials.
WhatsApp - teams are also setting up WhatsApp groups for more informal chat amongst teams and to answer any questions you may have. Ask your coach or Team Manager to add you.
Priorities: we are focused at the moment on commencing training, getting out communications so everyone is clear on what’s happening/when, following up on late registrations and starting to assemble the teams of volunteers we need to have to put on a game of footy – especially those that need to accredit before the season such as coaches, trainers and umpires. Please read all information from the club so you can help us get ready.
Season Dates: (https://smjfl.com.au/season_dates/)
Practice Matches and Peter Bedford Cup: We are looking at holding practice matches, and our annual Peter Bedford Cup with South Districts, for all teams on Sunday March 26th. Please save the date and all details will be shared asap.
Training: It’s been great to see some smiley faces down at training over the last couple of weeks – it is now very important that all players are attending training. Please let your team manager know via TeamApp if you are unable to attend.
Working with Children’s Check: All junior footy officials and volunteers aged 18 years old and over are required to obtain a WWCC. To obtain a WWCC, click https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply-1and follow the instructions. Obtaining a WWCC is free for volunteers. Once successfully completed, you’ll be issued a card. WWCC is valid for 5 years.
Trainers: We are running our first trainers 'First Aid' session on Monday March 20th at the club. Some teams still require trainers. Games can't go ahead without accredited trainers. Please check with your team and put your hand up if they need help.
Umpires: We need to start recruiting multiple umpires per U8 - U10 team for the season – the expectation is that umpires will need to attend a training session prior to being accredited. Please start to identify people for these critical roles - Games can’t go ahead without accredited club umpires.
Team Manager Meeting: We will be holding a short meeting on Monday 27 March – at the club - to go through the Team Manager handbook and logistics for the season. Please hold the date.
Pre-Season Volunteer Thank You. As a thank you to everyone who is helping us get teams ready for season 2023, we are inviting all volunteers to a thank you event to show our appreciation on Monday 3 April – Limerick Arms Hotel, upstairs from 7.30pm.

Phew! As you can see there is loads to do. Please check in with your coach and team manager to see how you can help.
We are also looking for people to join our Social Event sub committee, led by Kathryn Parkins, to plan and run some fab events for players and parents throughout the season I'd love to hear from you if you can help.

Annette Maloney
President
president@portcoltsjuniorfootballclub.com.au
M: 0414 400203