Author: Cougars

Each team had 3 pizza vouchers, provided by club sponsor La Gustosa, to award during the season. I have a couple of extra vouchers to award for special contributions. So congratulations to…. Parker Malpeli for her profile of Northcote Cougars JFC published recently in the Thornbury High School Year 7 student newspaper Wirrigirri; and Hugh Curry for being in the unfortunate situation of breaking his collarbone near the end of the season and having to watch his U11 team play finals from the sidelines.

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 raising funds with 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.

Thank you to those members who filled out the survey. Results will be analysed and a summary provided at Presentation Day.

Final home and away round for everyone except U11, U12 Gold, U12 Blue and U16 Girls who will be playing finals from Sunday 5 August! Please come along to support one or more of our teams during the finals. Fixture Round 14 Don’t forget to return your playing jumper and helmet to your team manager at your last game.

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 13

Congratulations to Matthew Lodato, Oni-Ray Jeffery-Gallagher & James Fasilakis (U11) and Lewis McBride (U12 Blue), who are all playing their 50th games this week. Well done to all of you!

NJFC is very privileged to be associated with the Northcote Park Football Club. Based just down the road at Bill Lawry Oval in Westgarth St, the club plays in Division One in the Northern Football and Netball League. If you can get to a few games with the kids it is a great inspiration to watch our local lads play such quality football. The senior team is currently fighting for a finals spot, and play at home against Montmorency this Saturday starting at 2.10pm.

Volunteers of the week this week are Peter Panopoulos, Jackson Bedggood, Aimee Trew and Zac Elliott. These young people have been Cougars players in previous years and/or are siblings of current players. Thanks to all four of them for helping out some of our teams during the season in team official roles in the absence of other volunteers!  

We are looking for a group of 3 or so people to put their hands up to form a social events and fundraising subcommittee to coordinate various functions that the committee just do not have time to organise. Proposed suggestions include a sports speakers night, trivia/bingo, cake stall and a car boot sale, but maybe you have even better ideas? Forming this group will be even more important if our application to the YJFL is successful and we need to find additional funds. Please let Ann-Maree know if you can help (president@njfc.com.au).

Thank you to the players who took part in the two feedback sessions recently. The main findings were that players liked the community feel and inclusiveness of the club and particularly appreciated playing with their friends. Younger players valued the rotations through different positions but older players would like to spend more time in on-field positions they felt they were best suited to. Players also had some suggestions for training arrangements and improvements to the facilities. We found this a very useful exercise and are planning more sessions for next year.

A new order of kids hoodies has arrived so we now have all sizes available for those of you who have been waiting or are thinking ahead for next season.

The annual member survey will close this Sunday 29 July. A link to the survey was sent out via email on Tuesday 17 July. The survey is important to help us gain an accurate picture of how we are doing across the whole club, so please take a few minutes to complete it.

Only two home and away rounds remain. Don’t forget that if your team is not playing finals you need to return your playing jumper and helmet to your team manager at your last game. Fixture Round 13

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 12:

Congratulations to James Vagias & Archie Johnston (U11), Liam Leonard (U12 Blue) and Mia Richardson (U16 Girls), who are all playing their 50th games this week.  

Volunteers of the week this week are our Auskick Coordinators Tim Thomas, Glen Cook and Pete Simm. These three gentlemen continue to run our successful Auskick clinic on Saturday mornings, as well as organise special clinics and grid games at AFL matches that all provide a great experience for the kids. Northcote/Thornbury Auskick is the main feeder for new players coming in to our Under 9 and girls teams and provides important skill development opportunities as well as a lot of fun. Thanks guys!

Thank you to Hartman Construction & Development, who have supported the Cougars over the past couple of years. If you are thinking of building or renovating, consider supporting a local business which supports the local community.

A link to our annual member survey was sent out via email on Tuesday. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey to let us know about areas of the club where we are doing well and those where we could do better, and provide any suggestions for improvement. The survey is important to help us gain an accurate picture of how we are doing across the whole club, so we would like as many members as possible to complete it.

Only three home and away rounds to go, with both U12 Gold and U12 Blue boys sides and U16 girls likely to play finals, with U11s still in with a chance to grab fourth spot. Round 12 Good luck to all!