AFL North Coast
President's Report 2008
It is almost with a sigh of relief that I preside over the final meeting of the 2008 AFL calendar.
As you know I took over the presidency mid year after the resignation of Jim Woodlock and I would like to thank Jim for all the hard work that he put in, not only this year, but over his many years with the local AFL. He has been the driving force behind the restructure of the local administration which will see the bringing together of the junior and senior leagues at a management level. While it is still in the development stages I can see 2008 being remembered as a significant one as future administrators look back.
All of you involved in club administration would appreciate the hard work that goes into getting a club on the field and I thank all of you involved at a club level that get our great game up and running each season and particularly those who represent clubs at monthly meetings. We would not be able to operate without your attendance and input. Of course my own executive team compromising of Rob Torelli, Fi Sodeau, Gill Woodlock and Paul Sheldon have done a magnificent job supporting Jim and later myself. These are a committed group who put in a lot of additional time to make some, not always, popular decisions, which unfortunately, have to be made from time to time.
Congratulations to the Sawtell/Toormina club on their success in the U18 and Senior Grand Finals and Port Macquarie in the Reserves and the runners up in each respective grade. The finals series was a huge success and showcased some outstanding talent. May I add a big thank you to the umpiring group who did an exceptional job throughout the season and particularly the finals and a special mention to Luke Turner who not only umpired himself but coached and coordinated the junior umpires and undertook the role of Publicity Officer. I give another big thank you to Neil Wood the editor of the Independent Weekly newspaper who have supported us with good coverage during the season.
It goes without saying that sponsors are the lifeblood of the game and I give a vote of thanks to all club sponsors and in particular the league sponsors headed by the Coffs Hotel who have been fantastic in their support of representative football over many years, Mike Blewitt Ford and Bananacoast Community Credit Union who keep me employed while not on AFL business. Jim and Gill Woodlock were instrumental in working with the AFL and the Sydney Swans during our major pre-season fund raiser which boosted the coffers this year.
I am also appreciative of the support of the Regional Manager for AFL, Shane McAloon who has gone beyond his documented role to assist the development of AFL on the coast. I should also mention the outstanding efforts of both the U18 and Senior representative sides which performed admirably both on and off the field. Our league is extremely competitive at all levels.
I appreciate that clubs struggle from time to time and getting a team into the draw takes a big effort. All the best with your preseason activities and recruitment and I look forward to another successful season in 2009.
Rod Macpherson
President (Interim)
Last Modified on 30/10/2008 23:05