Author: Cougars

We recently submitted an application for new training lights on the back oval as part of the Victorian Government ‘Pick My Project’ grant scheme. We’re excited that our project has progressed to the voting stage. Anyone aged 16 or over can vote for up to three projects in their local community, after registering on the Pick My Project website, https://pickmyproject.vic.gov.au Voting opened on Monday, so we’re asking all members to register and vote to get new lights and improve our training facilities. You can view our project at https://pickmyproject.vic.gov.au/rounds/pick-my-project/ideas/mcdonell-park-community-ground-floodlights

Thank you to all of you who have mentioned our club code (800006) when buying merchandise at Sportsmart this year. The club gets a small rebate on all purchases, even in the off-season, so please keep using the code when you shop there. The rebate from this year has already been put towards equipment in preparation for the 2019 season.

Presentation Day for all teams is Sunday 26 August. Presentation day Menu  

Volunteers of the week this week are our 2018 Committee members, without whose contribution the club cannot function. Our Committee meets each month to manage the operation of the club and ensure appropriate governance and oversight of all operations. Many of us have other roles within the club as well. It’s been a pleasure to work with you all: Ann-Maree Duncan (President) Melinda Story (Vice-President, U14 Coach, Player Placement & Grading Manager) Kirsty Teague (Secretary) Katrina Nelson (Treasurer) Aaron Shackelford (Football Manager, U9 Coach) Cathy Trew (Communications Manager) Simon Negrelli (Coaching Coordinator, U14 Girls Coach) Chris McGeachan (Family Assistance, Child…

Our AGM is coming up on 12 September, where our new committee will be elected. A number of the current committee members have indicated they will stay on, and we have already had a few new members express interest. We still need more people to help in various other roles, such as social events and fundraising – if you can help with this please contact president@njfc.com.au We will also be looking to start the process for appointing Coaches for 2019 in the next month or so. If this is something you are considering please email coachingcoord@njfc.com.au

Congratulations to U12 Gold and U16 Girls who are already through to the Grand Final on Sunday 19 August following wins on Sunday. Commiserations to our U11s who fought hard in the tough windy conditions but fell short – playing finals at all is a great achievement. U12 Blue had a good win in their semi-final and now face Diamond Creek in the Preliminary Final. Come along on Sunday to support them as they battle for a Grand Final spot. Entry is free, no dogs allowed. Don’t forget to return your playing jumper and helmet to your team manager at…

U11 Mill Park def Northcote 37 - 15 U12 Northcote Blue def Bundoora Park Thunderbolts 36 - 28 U12 Northcote Gold def Mill Park 25 - 8 U16 Girls Boro Bolts def by Northcote 10 - 25 Just a little exciting for all the teams who competed and all who were successful.

The AFL, in partnership with Monash University, are seeking the support of all Junior Leagues and Clubs for the Headgear in Australian Football Study, which aims to assess the evidence in relation to usefulness of headgear in youth Australian Football: http://j.mp/2KMDEOZ One component of the study is a survey addressing the usage and attitudes towards headgear by players, parents, coaches & trainers. Other aspects include a study of injuries suffered by players with and without headgear, and an assessment of forces involved in collisions with and without headgear. The 5-10 minute survey can be completed by players (with parental oversight…

We will be selling sausages ($2 each) and pizza ($3 per slice) and need volunteers to assist on the day with the BBQ. We’re also looking for a few families from each team to bring a plate of food to share (see below). Let your Team Manager know if you are happy to help out. Under 9 (all teams) Fruit Under 10 (Blue and Gold) Fruit Under 11 Salad Under 12 Blue Dessert or fruit Under 12 Gold Salad Under 10 Girls Popcorn/muffins/similar Under 12 Girls fruit Under 14 Girls Salad Under 16 Girls Dessert or fruit Under 13 Dessert…

Presentation Day for all teams is Sunday 26 August. The schedule has been altered slightly to accommodate family commitments and will now start with U10 Girls and U12 Girls, followed by U9 and U10: 9.55-10.00                 Welcome Ann-Maree & Kirsty 10.00-10.15                U10 Girls Nicole Carwyn 10.15-10.30                U12 Girls Chris Niall Morning tea for U10 and U12 girls teams outside 10.30-10.45                U9 Gold Jeanette Fyffe 10.45-11.00              …

Volunteers of the week this week are all our Coaches and Assistant Coaches. They give up so much of their time in all sorts of weather to coach the kids during matches and at training, and also spend a lot of time planning their teams structures for each game. A BIG thank you to:   Aaron Shackleford      Chris McGeachan        Louis Psarras Jeanette Fyffe               Andrew Green             Chris Geles Nick Harvey                  Melinda Story      …

Still seeking another one or two people for the social events and fundraising subcommittee. This is something that has been lacking at the club over the past few years and we are keen to get it up and running. Let Ann-Maree know if you can help (president@njfc.com.au).

School Sports Victoria are holding the quarter finals and semi finals of the intermediate and senior schools competitions at McDonell Park on Thursday 16 and Monday 20 August and we will be running a BBQ and cake stall. Volunteers are needed to help out, particularly for Thursday 16th. If you can help out from 10.30am-1pm or contribute something for the cake stall please let Ann-Maree know. This is an opportunity for the club to raise some funds to support our likely move to the YJFL and we need people to put their hands up and help out.

Congratulations to the teams playing finals – U12 Gold finished top of the ladder and U16 Girls second, so they have double chances for the semi-finals, whereas U12 Blue (3rd) and U11 (4th) will need to win their semi-finals to progress. If your team is not playing finals please try to get along to one or more of the games to cheer on our teams this Sunday. Entry is free, no dogs allowed. Don’t forget to return your playing jumper and helmet to your team manager at your last game. Home Team Away Team Competition Match Time Venue Mill Park…

In line with the AFL Junior Match Policy of prioritising participation, there is no scoring for Under 9 and Under 10 games and results are not reported. Results from the older teams for Round 14:

Congratulations to Kon Kogios from U12 Gold on his 50th game this week – have a great game!

Players are not the only ones feeling nervous at finals time. There is an interesting article about the pressures junior coaches face at this time of the season at http://goodsports.com.au/great-junior-coach Spare a thought for all the extra effort these dedicated volunteers put in as they juggle the differing expectations of players, parents and supporters in the weeks ahead.

The AFL, in partnership with Monash University, are seeking the support of all Junior Leagues and Clubs for the Headgear in Australian Football Study, which aims to assess the evidence in relation to usefulness of headgear in youth Australian Football: http://j.mp/2KMDEOZ One component of the study is a survey addressing the usage and attitudes towards headgear by players, parents, coaches & trainers. Other aspects include a study of injuries suffered by players with and without headgear, and an assessment of forces involved in collisions with and without headgear. The 5-10 minute survey can be completed by players (with parental oversight…

Presentation Day for all teams is Sunday 26 August. The schedule has been altered slightly to accommodate family commitments and will now start with U10 Girls and U12 Girls, followed by U9 and U10: 9.55-10.00 Welcome Ann-Maree & Kirsty 10.00-10.15 U10 Girls Nicole Carwyn 10.15-10.30 U12 Girls Chris Niall Morning tea for U10 and U12 girls teams outside 10.30-10.45 U9 Gold Jeanette Fyffe 10.45-11.00 U9 White Louis Psarras 11.00-11.15 U9 Blue Aaron Shackelford 11.15-11.30 U10 Gold Matt Dummett/ Mark Stanyon/ Paul Daffey 11:30-11:45 U10 Blue Damien Home Fruit and water for U9 and U10 teams outside as come/go presentation 11.45-12:45…

    Volunteers of the week this week are all our Team Managers – the people who make sure the players turn up at the right ground at the right time in the right coloured shorts, as well as perform the various other organisational feats necessary for the teams to get out on the park each week: Jason Hodge                                                                       Michelle Thomas Richard Page                                                                      Sam Sabatino Ida Bakos                                                                             Monique Home Cameron Froomes                                                           Liz Robertson Cameron McDonald                                                        Kath Liddell Tom Willcox                                                                        Narelle Frazer Tizzi Di Pierro                                                                     Lauren Andrew Vinnie Beatty                                                                     Sarah Adamson   Thanks as well as the other people who have…