“Progressing Junior Football in the Greater Belconnen Region” A Strategic Plan 2009 - 2011 Belconnen Magpies Football Club (A brief history) The history of the Belconnen Magpies Football Club is one that has travelled along many different paths, at times under the one banner, and at other times simultaneously under separate banners. The various clubs in the past, that have been the Belconnen Magpies Football Club have all added there own dimension to our now great football club, and contributed to the character and spirit now experienced by our club's current players, coaches, training staff, and supporters. The Belconnen Football Club and The West Canberra Football Club amalgamated in the late 80's early 90's to create the now stronger than ever, Belconnen Magpies Football Club . Both of these clubs possessed their own unique culture, history and also their own origins. THE BELCONNEN FOOTBALL CLUB The Belconnen Football Club adopted the navy blue jumper and white monogram when it entered the competition in 1971. These colours were chosen to align with the colours used by the Turner Football Club. The different design was to reflect the move to the Belconnen district, a new area, new clubhouse and new future. Slight modifications were made to the monogram over the years and the navy blue graced the Canberra footy fields until 1986. During that time the club was based in its own licensed premises effectively known as the "Shed" at Jamison. In 1986 Belconnen Amalgamated with The West Canberra Football Club. They became known as the Belconnen Magpies, and played in the black and white stripes, alternating between the "Shed" and West Canberra's licensed premises in Kippax as their home. Belconnen reverted back to its navy blue and white colours in 1988 when the amalgamation dissolved and continued to sport these colours until 1990. "The Shed" remained as the Club's base until it was sold in 1989. The club was then based at the Western Districts Rugby club in 1990. In 1991 Belconnen Affiliated with the West Canberra Football Club and adopted that club as its home. The famous black and white jumpers were again used until 1998 when the current black, white and teal were adopted. The team was again known as the Belconnen Magpies and still is. THE WEST CANBERRA FOOTBALL CLUB The West Canberra Football Club entered the Canberra competition in 1974. In keeping with the famous Magpie tradition the club adopted the famous black & white stripes that were previously worn by the Acton Football Club. In the early years the club did not have a permanent home, however that problem was rectified when stage one of the current clubhouse was completed in 1978. In 1986 West Canberra amalgamated with the Belconnen Football Club. They became known as the Belconnen Magpies, they continued to sport the black and white stripes and alternated between the current clubhouse and Belconnen's clubhouse in Jamison. The amalgamation dissolved in 1988 and the black and white colours were not seen in the ACTAFL competition until 1991 when the Belconnen Football Club affiliated with the West Canberra Football Club, moved its operations to Kippax and the Belconnen Magpies were reborn. The black and white colours remained in use until 1998 when the current black, white, and teal strip was adopted. From 1988 to 1990 West Canberra fielded teams in the Monaro competition using the black and white colours. West Canberra juniors have sported the black and white stripes since 1974 and still do. 2 AFL Canberra 2007 and beyond The current environment of AFL Canberra will no doubt be extraordinarily different in 2, 3, or 5 years time and just how this will impact on Junior football across Canberra is somewhat difficult to predict. The overriding issues are not so much associated with the senior controlling Body, but the initiatives, directions and output by AFL NSW/ACT and its interaction with the AFL Canberra Junior Operations Committee. The close interaction of Belconnen Junior Football Clubs with these groups is essential. The short term Premier Division future of the AFL Canberra is unclear as of mid 2007; however this may not / should not affect junior football development across Canberra. Belconnen Magpies Senior Club ACTAFL / AFL Canberra 2006 – Runner up 2005 – Runner up 2004 – Premiers 2003 – Premiers 2002 – Premiers 2001 – Runner up 2000 – 5th 1999 – Runner up 1998 – Runner up 1997 – 7th 1996 – 6th The record of the Club strongly suggests a cultural expectation of success, strong management and a successful formula in planning progress that encourages young people to pursue the opportunities that a senior club football offers. The sustainability of any senior AFL football club is unequivocally linked to its propensity to involve itself with a junior football pathway that allows young people to progress to their dream of playing senior football at whatever level they may move towards. The Strategic Plan of the BMFC of 2006 – 2010 clearly reflects the recognition and importance of Junior Football Development in the Belconnen Region. This document raises concerns on the junior player base, funding for junior football, promotion of AFL football and providing a pathway to the senior team. Strategies clearly outline a common commitment to player development, retention and recruitment that includes the junior clubs in the Belconnen district. These strategies also include building greater awareness of AFL football in the region. 3 Summary Belconnen Magpies Football Club is an integral part of the competition that AFL Canberra administers and acknowledges that it will continue to undergo significant change and the Belconnen Magpies Football Club will adapt to the changes / trends that will evolve. It is critical for the Belconnen region and more specifically, the Belconnen Magpies Senior Club to co- operatively initiate an appropriate strategic plan and implement the strategies within that plan that ensures the young people and their parents and supporters within the region are attracted to AFL football. This strategic plan and its strategies must ultimately provide the Belconnen region with a framework and the means to achieve the key strategic themes outlined in this document. Opportunities and Challenges Given the recent Junior Football Forum (March 2007) and the subsequent meetings with key personnel from the Belconnen Magpies Senior Club, Magpies Juniors and Belconnen Cats Juniors, the agreed position is to move forward with the Junior Football Strategic Planning Groups (JFSPG). Henceforth there are some positive and challenging outcomes to explore and anticipate over the 2008 – 2010 period; Redevelopment of Kippax training facility Advertising for and positioning of a full time Junior Football Operations Coordinator Junior Club compliance to JFSPG directions for junior football in the region Sponsorship leverage off the Senior Club Level 4 water restrictions and impact on current venues Greater presence in the Gungahlin area Yass / Amaroo linkages with Magpies, Cats and the Senior Club Junior Football sponsorship naming rights for clubs Belconnen and Gungahlin housing and property developments Facilities at the Super School in Hardwick Cres, Holt Federal Government in power in 2008 Change of ACT Government in 2008 Greater participation in AFL footy through AUSKICK 4 Mission / Vision The combination of the mission and vision of the JFSPG should determine the direction for all involved in Belconnen Junior Football and Belconnen Magpies Senior Club. 5 Mission To provide a clearly defined direction for Junior Football participation within the greater Belconnen Region. (This direction should cater for a friendly and enjoyable environments that provides quality coaching, administration and officiating for on-going participation for all players and significant adults) Note: The mission has a breadth and scope to encompass all activities of the JFSPG. It has relevance to all stakeholders within the junior and senior football community. 6 Vision To become the most respected and recognized junior football operations body in Canberra Football. 7 Greater Belconnen Junior Football Participation As at May 2007 the following numbers reflect the demographic status of Junior Football participation in the Belconnen region. Total Auskick U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U14 D2 U14 D1 U16 D2 U16 D1 players Magpies 20+ 25 19 22 17 14 20 11 15 8 171 Players Cats 12 17 12 25 13 24 28 20 21 26 186 Players Administration Each Junior Club has Parents / Supporters who fulfil many roles or responsibilities with their respective clubs. Each committee has portfolios for the committee members that allow for delegation of duties / activities that determine the future fortunes and direction of the club. These responsibilities / portfolios are reported on at each monthly meeting. Generally these portfolios reflect the following: Sponsorship Registration Equipment / Resources Administration Budget / Finance Coaching Fundraising Recruitment Budgets Each Junior Club has an annual turnover of approximately $XXXX.XX with approximate incomes of $XXXX.XX and expenditure of between $XXXX.XX and $XXXX.XX 8 JUNIOR FOOTBALL PATHWAY AUSKICK Primary Schoolboys U12 Team (PSSA) U14 Development Squads JUNIOR CLUB U16 Club Start (U8/U9) U10 – U16 Secondary Schoolboys Team (SSSA) U16 ACT/South Coast Cats ACT Academy of Sport NSW/ACT U16 State Team National U16 Championship Seniors / U18‟s SENIOR CLUB ACT Representative U18 Team Reserves Seniors AIS/AFL Academy U18 ACT/South Coast Cats NSW/ACT U18 State Team