Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Season 2018 with Eastlakes MCU Junior Football & Netball Club.
For some of our teams you are two games into the season whilst for others Sunday was your first game. I warmly welcome all new and existing families back for the 2018 season and hope that you enjoy your season with the mighty ‘Mango Goannas!’
We have had unprecedented interest in the club this year and are currently ‘full’ in all Netball and Football age groups, except under 15 football. As the Wagga District Junior League has a cap on playing numbers allowed in age groups the Committee has been required to enact the clubs ‘Playing in Older Divisions Policy’ (which can be found on our website) which states that all players are required to play in their own age group (year of birth) in the first instance, however, players are encouraged by the club to help out teams in older age divisions if they are short of numbers. Unfortunately, this has meant that some children who had been ‘playing up’ an age group since Auskick are no longer able to do so and these players and their families have been personally informed. If anyone has any concerns about this please speak to a member of the Committee.
It is our intent as a Committee to ensure as many children as possible have the opportunity to play football and netball with our club during the season whilst abiding by the rules and regulations set by the governing body (A player can only be a True Team Player for one team, they are not considered a true team player if they are playing up an age group, even if this is on a regular occurrence).
As you are no doubt aware by now the draw for this season is challenging in many respects, as there are a number of teams missing in different age groups for both football and netball. The final version was only supplied to clubs on the Thursday night prior to the first round and Under 12’s and 14’s football have a separate draw to the rest of the club. Due to the missing teams game times may change depending on who we are playing. If there are changes to the game times coaches will let parents and players know at training. I would also encourage you to check our website (eastlakesmcu.com.au), our facebook page, Team App or the AFL Riverina website (aflriverina.com.au) for the times each week as well as information about upcoming club functions. I have attached a copy of the draw supplied by AFL House for your information. It also includes a spreadsheet showing game starting times. Where there is no team in an earlier timeslot the following game will move forward to that time.
There are lots of things happening within the club at present and I encourage everyone to help where they can. We have been successful in obtaining a NSW Government Grant to construct a netball court at Apex Park and construction will commence on this shortly with a view to have it up and operational this year. Whilst the Grant is assisting with the cost of construction there are other items of infrastructure that we need to raise funds for so there will be several fund raising ventures during the season such as a raffle and a 250 Club so please keep an eye out for these. We have also been offered some sponsorship from the Boat Club to help out next weekend with the Barry Carne Memorial Ski Race. Our assistance will involve helping to launch and retrieve the ski boats on the edge of the lake near the boat club. If you are available to assist please speak to your coach, in the first instance, or contact our Secretary Tracey O’Reilly [email protected]
Our first social event for 2018 is on Saturday 19 May starting at 6pm at the Kooringal Hotel. This is a great opportunity to get to know the other parents in your child’s team, as well as parents from other age groups in an informal setting and I hope to see many of you there.
Our next game is a home game at Apex Park against Wagga Tigers. As they have teams in all grades the games will be at our correct start times. As it is a home game assistance will be required in the canteen and those families who are rostered on will be informed prior to the weekend.
If you require any Eastlakes Merchandise it is available to purchase at Miotti Cabinets, 3 Lockyer Street, East Wagga Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm so please call in and speak to Kym.
Once again I wish you all a happy and enjoyable sporting season with Eastlakes MCU and look forward to hearing our song sung many times this season!
Up the Plah
Rick Collins
President
Copy of WDJ 2018 Season Draw 090518
Eastlakes Committee 2018 Contact Details