Training is full swing with all age groups now as the season rapidly approaches. We are all getting very excited about the season ahead which promises to be the best one yet – both on and off the field.
Coaches, Assistants, Team Managers and Other Volunteers
I would like to thank all those that have volunteered their time to get the season up and ready. This fantastic commitment directly allows our kids to play the game they love in a happy and safe environment. That being said we are always looking for more coaches, assistants, and all round volunteers to help the club run throughout the year. If you have some time to help please contact me directly or via your Team Manager.
Communication Channels
Hopefully you will have noticed increased communication – Team Manager emails, Newsletters, Updates on the website, Facebook and Instagram. If you are not seeing these updates please re-confirm your email address and contact details with your Team Managers.
Over the coming weeks there will be essential information about training time changes (where relevant), practice match times, the round one draw, social events and very important changes to our processes around child safety. Please can I ask you double check that you are getting our communications (and you read them!), and that you like our Facebook page and get your kids onto our Instagram page to see some great photo’s throughout the year.
Child Safety
This is absolutely paramount at our sporting club and something that cannot be compromised. We continue to improve our processes and governance to ensure every player is safe. This year the Victorian Government has strengthened the governance requirement for clubs to ensure all those interacting with our players have working with children (WWC) credentials. Whilst this places a very small administrative burden on all parents we see it is a small ask for the safety of our players. There will be more detail on what is required shortly. I thank you all in advance for your assistance on such an important matter.
Players & Coaches Wanted
We are in a fantastic position in 2017 with more teams than previous years as our club continues to grow. I’m incredibly proud to announce that this year we will have 3 teams of Under 8’s and 2 girls teams (both now full) in U12’s and U16’s.
To ensure we have appropriate numbers we are looking for a few more players in U8’s, U9’s and U13’s. Each age group has good numbers, but a few more players will give coaches a bit more flexibilty and cover for holidays and (hopefully very few) injuries. If you have friends who would like to play please have them register via our website or put them in touch with your Team Manager.
With the added teams comes a need for more people to help in both training and on game day. Please contact your Team Manager, Paul Carrigan or me if you can help in any way so we can welcome all the kids we can to play on our magnificent grounds. Paul and I both via jason.nicholl@hamptonrovers.com.au
Volunteers Wanted
Throughout the year we have many events and we are always appreciative of the great support we get from parents. Please do your bit to help throughout the year. A 1hr stint on the BBQ is a great way to meet people in our club and community as well as help the club.
If you would like to help on a more regular basis we would love to welcome more people onto our club Committee. We believe succession planning is a key element as we continue to build the fantastic Hampton Rovers community – so if you are relatively new to the Club (eg: U8, U9) we’d love to hear from you.
Practice Matches
A number of our age groups have been starting to have intra-club practice matches. This will step up a gear next week with inter-club practice matches being schedule across the weekend of the 1 and 2 April.
It is mandatory that any players playing in these matches are REGISTERED and PAID.
This is not just our Club policy, it is a term of our player insurance.
Team Managers and Coaches will be reinforcing this message this week. So if you haven’t already registered please do it NOW (or at least in the next 24 hours) so your kids don’t miss out.
Season Launch and Social Calendar
It was great to see so many players and families at Castlefield last Sunday for the BBQ and kick around. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
We will be holding a more formal Season Launch, including the debut of our U12 Girls and the U13 Div 1 Boys team (unfurling their 2016 premiership flag) under lights on Friday 21 April at Boss James. This promises to be a great night.
Our overall social calendar of the year will be published shortly so please be on the lookout for that.
I look forward to getting to know as many of you as I can in 2017.
Passion – Teamwork – Fun – Respect
Kind Regards
Jason
