Welcome to the start of a new season. This year we have 32 Teams: 13 MiniRoos and 19 in competition. We also have our Mini Rovers Nursery Squad running on a Monday afternoon at Pendlebury Reserve on Orchid Street.  The nursery squad is primarily for those too young to be registered but keen to learn to play.

Top Corner

Top Corner will be published from time to time throughout the season with information that it may be necessary to enlighten you on such as club activity, the game itself and social chitchat.

Hat trick corner

I will publish Hat trick Corner again this season whenever I receive feedback on these events. However, this will not apply to MiniRoos football (i.e. U6-U11). This allows us to comply with the policies of the Football Federation Australia and the spirit of the game where it is much more about kids having fun than the pressures of competition.

First hat trick recipients 

We already have two reported hat tricks for this season from the second game played by our W18C’s: Nada scored 3 as well as Sara. I bet the coach was smiling big time. Keep up the good work, girls.

Working Bee

Thanks heaps to all those club members who attended the working bee and for team managers for facilitating.  Lots of jobs were carried out in preparation for the season ahead. Unfortunately, a very hot day, which made it all that more challenging. A day like that, to kick start the season, gives a sense of purpose to the term’s “volunteers” and “community”. It also gives the president (and committee) a sense of pride.

Committee

We have a committee that has excelled itself yet again this season. It is hard to describe just how much effort is required to get your club to this important part of the season. The great news is that, besides their industry and dedication, they work as a team. If you want to join this great mob of community minded people, we have a secretary and publicity officer position to fill, and I am sure anyone with the right community mindset will find it most rewarding. We are a friendly bunch after all.

Coaches & Managers

Where would we be without our coaches and managers? Down the gurgle: that’s where! They are the mainstay of your team. The best way you can show your appreciation to them is to give them a lot of support throughout the season. Thanks in advance.

Give the Coaches a Fair Go

It can be a tough gig for a coach so there is one thing I’d like to highlight. The coach is the one who gives the players the direction required of them on the field of play, so please refrain from directing your own kid to do something else. It is great to give them positive support but not to tell them to move to positions on the field etc. The same goes for training. Some coaches like some parents to assist them at training, but it is not helpful if you are singing out to your kid to do this, that and the other, while the coach is training them. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation with this matter.

Sponsors

We love our sponsors, so please support their business whenever you get a chance. It doesn’t hurt to mention your club when you buy something. You’ll be surprised on the benefits you can get.

Disciplinary Procedures

It is important for players 12 years or older to understand the consequences of receiving a red card in a game. If you receive a red card, you aren’t required to attend a hearing unless you are requested or cited. You will be given an automatic one match suspension. Further match suspensions will be handed out by the Disciplinary Panel. These suspensions are based on predetermined amounts dependant on the category of the offence as recorded by the referee but can be adjusted by the panel after reading of the referee’s report. After you have been given a sentence, you have the right to challenge that decision. If you don’t challenge you automatically receive one match “off” your suspension, but you also accept that you lose your right to appeal. Appeals must be conducted through The Club Secretary or President. There are time constraints on appeals. Always speak to an executive member for advice on these issues. If you do get a red card and then swear you will find yourself receiving a further four matches on top of the ones you receive for the original offence.  The offence s and suspensions are detailed in the Rule Book. it might be timely to explain to your competition team the behaviours to avoid.

Fair Play Policy

We have always had a “Fair Play Policy” for teams up to and including Under 16. This policy provides for all players in this category to receive as equal a match time throughout the season as is humanly possible. There have been guidelines made available to coaches and managers to assist them with this endeavour. These are published on our website.

Player Discipline

We see our role as teaching young children a lot more than football skills. We hope to teach them sportsmanship, being part of a team, respect for their teammates and respect for their opposition. So, within this category I must refer to the “Fair Play Policy” and advise coaches that if a player refuses to take instructions from a coach, then the coach is within their rights to give the player a rest on the bench for a while. This practice is also advisable if the child is being disruptive at training. Having said this, I wish to make it clear to coaches they are expected to convey to the player and / or the parents why they have taken the action they have. Done the right way children will learn a lot.

Match Awards

Some coaches like to have an award each week for the “Player of The Match”. This decision rests entirely with the coach. However, we do insist on a great deal of sensitivity when making such awards in the MiniRoo age groups. For our competition team (U12 and above), at the end of the season some coaches have a “Player of the Year” award.  This is a medal provided by the club on presentation day. We do insist that coaches consider the whole season when putting names forward for this award and prefer some type of evidence that it was compiled throughout the season. To everybody let me say this game is not just about those that score goals and save goals. It is very much a team sport. Those players that learn the art of making strategic passes make the game a sheer pleasure to watch and they should be awarded accordingly, as should those that learn to get out of tight situations and beat their opposition player. Every player up to the age of sixteen will receive an award at the end of the season for participating.

Code of Conduct

Please read our “Code of Conduct” policy on the website. I refer to it now to set the tone for the season ahead. This club prides itself as one that displays good behaviour on and around the football field, especially when children are involved. It is no good giving a pasting to a ref, a player, an opposing coach or opposing supporter. You might get the incident off your chest, but you may well cause a big impact to impressionable youngsters. There is only one-way to play the game: in good spirit.

Sutherland Sharks Football Club

Sutherland Sharks FC play their home games at Seymour Shaw. They have kindly given free passes to all Players under 16. Your coach and manager will soon have these passes to give to every player. For coaches and managers, you can pick you team’s passes up in an envelope in the clubhouse control room.

Some humour

Standing in the park, I was wondering why a Frisbee gets larger the closer it gets. Then it hit me.

Have a great season with lots of fun.

“Up the Mighty Rovers”

John Lane, President