Newsletter

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 1:  

Round 2 fixture The Round 2 fixture has been released: Round 2 U9s and U10s are not being graded but other age groups will be grouped together for the grading rounds. Divisions for each team will be known after Round 4 but the fixture for the first four rounds will be released week by week. There are nine home games this week, including all U9s and all our girls teams. It will be very busy so, if possible, please ride or walk to the ground if you’re playing at home.

Please dispose of rubbish in correct bins – glass & plastic bottles and cardboard in recycle bins and other rubbish in the general waste bins.

If you’re at a home game this week please support Dhan our new Canteen Operator in his first day in the role. He has been busy cleaning the kitchen and setting up and is looking forward to selling a new range of food and drink options, with some old favourites.

The Northcote Park Football and Netball Club have again kindly provided the junior club with memberships for the 2018 season which begins this Friday night against Bundoora.  The memberships allow free entry for an adult, kids are free.  Please see Steve Harford (coach of the under 16 girls) who is at training most nights to get a membership card. The NNFL is littered with ex AFL stars including Brent and Shane Harvey, Ricky Dyson, Gary Moorecroft, Travis and Cameron Cloke, Jack Grimes, Ahmed Saad, Ben Haynes, Ben Kennedy and Matt White.  Northcote Park doesn’t have any ex-AFL players but does…

The Round 1 fixture has been released: Sportstg U9s and U10s are not being graded but other age groups will be grouped together for the grading rounds. Divisions for each team will be known after Round 4 but the fixture for the first four rounds will be released week by week. Only four games at home in the first week: Fixture Round 1

U9, U10 Boys, U14 Girls, Under 16 Girls, Wednesday 11 April, time TBC U11, U12, U13 and U14 Boys Thursday 12 April, time TBC U10 and U12 Girls jumper presentations will be made on Sunday 15 April before the Round 1 match. As well as seeing your child presented with their playing jumper for the season, this is a great chance to hear about coaching approaches and club plans for the season, as well as an opportunity to ask questions.

U9 Training Wednesday 4 April, Wednesday 11 April 5-6pm U10 Training Wednesday 11 April only 5-6pm U10 Girls Training Wednesday 11 April only 6-7pm U12 Girls Training Wednesday 11 April only 6-7pm U14 & U16 Girls Training Wednesday 11 April only, 5.30-7pm U11 Training Thursday 5 April, Tuesday 10 April, Thursday 12 April, 5.30-6.30pm U12 Training Thursday 5 April, Thursday 12 April, 4.50-6.15pm U13 Training Tuesday 3 April, Thursday 5 April, Tuesday 10 April, Thursday 12 April, 6.30-7.30pm U14 Training Tuesday 3 April, Thursday 5 April, Tuesday 10 April, Thursday 12 April, 5.45-7.15pm

Now that the teams have been announced in all age groups, all families can assist their Team Manager by letting them know how they can help out with regards to volunteer roles during the season. All teams are required to have a Trainer who has a minimum of Level 1 First Aid. The club will pay for the course cost of anyone interested in obtaining this qualification. We have a Level 1 course booked at the McDonell Park clubrooms on Thursday 26 April (6.30-9.30pm); other courses will most likely be conducted at Hurstbridge, so if you are thinking about helping…

Shorts ($30) and socks ($15) and hoodies ($50 child size and $60 adult size) are available for sale on Wednesday and Thursday night trainings leading up to Round 1, as well as on Sunday mornings in the early part of the season. All new players receive a bag – if you haven’t collected yours yet pop in during  this time. A regular uniform/merchandise sale time will be scheduled once the season is underway. Mouthguards are compulsory for all players.

We expect to know this week what the fixture for Round 1 will be. The NFNL is approaching grading differently this season, with the aim of obtaining more even competitions. As a result the grading rounds (Rounds 1-4) will be announced on a week by week basis, with the remaining season fixture released after Round 4.

The following first aid training sessions have been booked at the McDonell Park clubrooms (all courses 6.30-9.30pm): CPR update: Monday 9th April. Level 1 First Aid: Thursday 26th April CPR update: Thursday 10th May.  

Our teams cannot run without several very important people – namely our Coaches, Team Managers and Trainers. It is important that all families understand that teams cannot take the field without these key volunteers. We still need one U9 Coach, and Assistant Coaches and Team Managers for a few of our teams. We aim to have at least two Trainers for each team so that one person is not committed for the whole season. We will happily pay for the First Aid training and annual CPR updates of anyone interested in acting as Trainer for their child’s team.

Firstly, thank you to Claire McCormack who has taken on the First Aid Coordinator role and has already been busy getting first aid kits ready and organising first aid training & updates for our Trainers. A big thank you also to everyone who has been helping get things organised in preparation for the season –  Steve, Ida, Sheri, Andrew W, Sharyn and everyone on the Committee (Kirsty, Mel, Katrina, Geeks, Cathy, Simon, Aaron, Vinnie, Tom, Julian, Lachy).

The girls shorts order arrived today - all items will now be available for sale on Sunday and at trainings leading up to the season start. Under 9s and Under 10s who weren’t at training this week can collect a helmet before their game on Sunday. Don’t forget that mouthguards are compulsory for all players.

U11 boys and U13 boys have reached maximum numbers but we are still accepting registrations for other teams. Registrations must be online at registration Online payment is compulsory at the time of registration; if you have any issues with paying fees online please contact registrar@njfc.com.au. 2018 registrations are $265 ($190 HCC concession) for the first child in a family, with discounts for siblings. All playing members must also pay the $25 NFNL levy. We encourage any families who may experience difficulty paying fees to contact Registrar Cathy Trew on registrar@njfc.com.au or 0417 597 252 or Family Assistance Officer Chris McGeachan…

Interesting article on how the preferences of kids should be the priority for sports administrators and coaches:   http://changingthegameproject.com/youth-sports-serve-needs-of-youth/

Round 1 - Sunday 15 April, last weekend of school holidays Auskick start date - Saturday 21 April

If your child has a medical condition that might affect them on the field or at training (e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy) please make sure your coach and team manager are aware, and that your team manager has a copy of the current management plan for the condition.

We have noticed discrepancies with some members’ registrations, meaning that some families have underpaid registration fees and some have overpaid. We are working our way through these at present, aiming to have all corrected within the next couple of weeks.