C o m mu n i t y Foot b a l l Week end may 10-11, 2008

handbook for community leagues and clubs

Community Football Weekend 1 Community Football Weekend 1 Introduction A note from Kevin Sheedy Community o ensure that the entire football community has the opportunity Football to celebrate 150 years of Australian Football, Community TFootball Weekend has been scheduled for May 10-11, 2008. Weekend On this weekend, no AFL home and away matches will be played, providing the opportunity for Australians to get back to their original May 10-11, 2008 or local community football club and celebrate this historic year. The AFL and state football bodies would like all football A Note from Kevin Sheedy . .3 enthusiasts around the country to visit their original community Australian Football club on this weekend. Community football is the heart and soul of 150 Years ...... 4. our game — in 2007 more than 600,000 people played Australian Football and many more coached, umpired, officiated, volunteered Calendar of Events ...... 5 and supported our game at all levels. Australian Football 150 Years This weekend is not just for players — it’s an opportunity to Ambassadors ...... 6. celebrate the game with all the people who support your community Past Players and club. This includes your officials and volunteers, or the mum who has made the post-match sandwiches for the past 20 years, grandpa Supporters ...... 7 who still brings out the oranges at quarter and three-quarter time, or Getting Involved in the children who watch dad or mum play each week. It’s a weekend Community Football where everyone from your community club can get together and Weekend ...... 8. celebrate Australian Football 150 Years. How Your Club can Celebrate By encouraging the entire football community to get together, it is Australian Football 150 anticipated that, collectively, we will set an attendance record with more than 1300 senior matches across the country on this weekend. Years ...... 8. This can only be achieved with your club’s support. The space has Australian Football 150 been created for a national celebration of our game, you are now Years Logo ...... 9. encouraged to take the lead and celebrate this historic moment as Community Clubs and Football turns 150. This handbook has been designed to help get you started with Media ...... 10 your club’s planning for Community Football Weekend. For further Visit 150years . c o m . a u . . . . 11. information on Australian Football 150 Years contact your state football body or from March, visit 150years.com.au. A Final Word ...... 11. I look forward to your involvement in State Football Bodies ...... 12 Community Football Weekend.

Kevin Sheedy Australian Football 150 Years Ambassador

2 Community Football Weekend Community Football Weekend 3 Schedule Australian Football Calendar of Events Celebrating Australian Football 150 Years is a great way to connect your club not only to 150 Years the local media but to the wider community. Our objectives for the year Our key Australian Football are to: 150 Years messages are: Connect with community  Recognising the past, the February March football, foster our existing present and the future of Telstra Community March 9 (Labour Day holiday in ) fans and engage new fans. Australian Football. Camps Launch of Australian Football 150 Years including Reinforce Australian Football Celebrating the role of launch of The Australian Game of Football book February 9 as the leading sport in this Australian Football in society NAB Cup commences March 13 Toyota AFL country. and reinforcing its strength Season Launch Reinforce the key values of and position within the NAB-AFL Roadtrain Australian Football. Australian community. commences March 20 Toyota AFL Deliver major programs Premiership Season Schools program that have a lasting effect on This weekend is not commences commences community football and the just“ for players — it is an game’s overall growth. opportunity to celebrate Celebrate and enjoy this the game with all the May July August memorable year. May 8 Australian Football Hall July 24-27 Australian August 7 Kick Around people who support your of Fame Induction and Dinner Country Football The World community club. Carnival (Shepparton) May 10 Hall of Fame Tribute Match (MCG) August 7 Tom Wills Oration Kevin Sheedy ” University May 10 and 11 August 7 of Technology: Origins Community Football International Film Festival of Australian Football Weekend — Australian Football Film Exhibition, 1858-1900. 1. Community football Evening round August 8 Round 19: 2. Volunteer Tom Wills Round recognition including Melb-Geel match at MCG Aug 25-Sept 7 International Cup September October November Unveiling of the Australian NAB-AFL Roadtrain Australian Football Football 150 Years painting concludes Industry Conference September 22-26 Toyota AFL Grand Final Week September 27 Toyota AFL Grand Final

4 Community Football Weekend Community Football Weekend 5 Our Ambassadors Past Players

Past players and supporters ommunity Football Weekend Cpresents the opportunity to contact all your past players, supporters and individuals to join the celebrations. There is no better way Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico for everyone around the country to celebrate community football and Australian Football 150 Years on this weekend than with the very people who have been the backbone of your club. Contact everyone from the star Kevin Sheedy full-forward, to the mums who serve in  First senior community the canteen, to the fellas on the gate. club was Prahran Contact your past coaches and umpires Football Club and even the old back pocket players. Richmond player 1967-79 It doesn’t matter where these individuals are now; we all have our  251 games, 91 goals original community club that we can  Premiership player 1969, never forget, a place where it all began. 1973-74 Some of these people may now be Essendon coach 1981-2007 involved with football at the highest  635 games; 61% level — the AFL competition — they success rate may be involved in your state football  7 Grand Finals competitions or they may still, after all these years, be helping out your  4 premierships (1984-85; community club on the weekend. It’s up 1993; 2000) Michael Long to you: rally the troops, get everyone  Night series premierships together and celebrate the history of 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993-94, 2000 your club and the significant part it Our Australian Football 150 Years Ambassadors has played in strengthening Australian  886 games combined as However, they are not our only game. As such, you and Other Australian Football Football’s position across the country. a player and coach; the The AFL has a number of most in VFL/AFL history high profile ambassadors ambassadors for our game. Each your club are encouraged to Ambassadors include person at your football club is an become a proud ambassador  Robert ‘Dipper’  Holds the Essendon who work in the media and ambassador of the game and in of our game and promote DiPierdomenico record for games community to promote our coached game and in 2008 each will 2008 we all have the opportunity our national celebration  Michael Long to spread the Australian Football of Australian Football  Jason McCartney   Is second only to Jock carry our Australian Football 150 Years message. 150 Years.  Neale Daniher McHale all-time for 150 Years message. games coached The 150th year of Australian It is an opportunity  Michael Voss hese individuals ensure Football is something we should to recruit new fans to the  All-Australian coach that wherever they go the be proud of, something that we game — in Australia and  1984-85, 1993, 2000 message of Australian want all Australians to embrace. around the world.  Australian International T Football and our 150 years is Australian Football, our game,  Rules Coach 2005-06 prominent in the community. is Australia’s only indigenous  David Parkin

6 Community Football Weekend Community Football Weekend 7 Getting Involved Australian Football 150 Years Logo Getting Involved in Community Football Weekend Australian Community Football Weekend  Schedule your own Hall of Fame night is about everyone around — recognise great players, volunteers, Football the country celebrating the umpires and administrators. 150 Years logo significance of Australian Past player and supporter function – ll community clubs and leagues Football in our society. if you don’t already schedule this Aare encouraged to use the event it is a great opportunity to get Australian Football 150 Years logo. o ensure the success of this one started. It has been designed to provide the weekend you are encouraged Organise a function leading into the opportunity for everyone to unite T to appoint an individual at your Hall of Fame Tribute Match, which is together and celebrate the reach of club to coordinate activities. scheduled for the evening of May 10 the game nationally and internationally. On this weekend, of course, 50 per at the MCG. For consistency, it is requested that cent of teams will be playing at home Paint your town or suburb in your at all times the year is referred to as and 50 per cent away. To make sure all team colours. If you are hosting your Australian Football 150 Years. Your community clubs around the country historical rival, it could create a great assistance in using this designation benefit from fixtured matches on this atmosphere. Your local council might without abbreviation or alterations is weekend, it is recommended that both like to get involved, or at the other appreciated. clubs arrange a joint celebration after the end of the scale, it could be as easy Listed below are some examples of fixtured match. This may be a BBQ, short as placing posters or streamers in how you may be able to utilise the logo presentation and drinks in the clubrooms shop windows to let everyone know throughout your football year: or even a grand dinner. the game is on.  Footballs After celebrating at the ground some Your club’s history exhibition.  Guernseys teams playing away may also wish to Encourage the community to donate/  Premiership medals go back to their club to continue the loan important items. Your local council  Publications and newsletters Australian Football 150 Years celebration. may supply space for the exhibition.  Website Throughout the year there may also be  Celebrate an important day in your  Signage other opportunities to celebrate. Examples club history. Do you have any milestones Corporate and community include your fixtured bye weekend or in 2008? For example, the year your communications during the AFL split round held on the club was founded, the anniversary The Australian Football 150 Years weekends of June 28-29 and July 4-5. of a premiership, the day you posted logo is to be used in accordance with Listed below are examples of how your biggest ever score, the day a full- the official style guide which has been your club can celebrate Australian forward kicked 15 goals? forwarded to all state football bodies. Football 150 Years. Invite every player who has ever It is important to note that the  Joint Australian Football 150 Years played with your club to one match Australian Football 150 Years logo function — this may be a breakfast, next year. is not to be altered in any way and lunch, post-match BBQ or official dinner Organise a photo of all current co-branding is not permitted without for competing clubs. club participants — juniors, seniors, prior approval from the AFL. The administrators, volunteers. logos are licensed by the AFL in Write or update your club history. accordance with specific terms and Celebrate generations at your conditions, which must at all times football club. For example, do you be strictly adhered to. For any queries have four generations still involved regarding the style guide and use of in your club? the logo, please contact your state football body.

8 Community Football Weekend Community Football Weekend 9 Community Clubs and the Media A Final Word Community Clubs and the Media 150years.com.au Taking a proactive Designed specifically for Recognition to the individual approach will help your Australian Football 150 who coordinated your club’s club celebrate Australian Years, 150years.com.au Community Football Weekend Football 150 Years in your will be critical to the webpage. community. success of Community A link to your community club Football Weekend. website (if available). he AFL and the state football Your club’s web page will link in to bodies will be conducting he site has been designed our Community Football Weekend Ta number of events and to engage your club in all Match Locator. This will provide activities throughout the year. T Community Football the wider community with an easy- Your club can create an event that Weekend activities. This will be to-locate option to find out how celebrates your history. achieved by providing community and when your club is celebrating To ensure your events and clubs with the opportunity to this historic weekend. activities are covered in your local upload information regarding their Through this website, a paper or on the radio you could Community Football Weekend venue, address (this can function will be developed for your consider the following: on a simple template that has been be provided by your league). club to register how many people Find an idea: Think about what specifically designed.  History of the scheduled match attended its football matches you would like to read in your local To access this site, clubs will be — wins, losses and draws. on this weekend. We hope to set paper or hear on the radio. asked to register online and will Community Football Weekend an attendance record which will Timing: If celebrating on receive a secure user name and information: be communicated in the week Community Football Weekend is opportunities, local characters activity it is, where it is, when it is password allowing them to enter Your club’s activity schedule for following Community Football not suitable for your club, find a and local celebrities, so plan your and, of course, why it is being held information. All community clubs the day. Weekend. More information on week or month that is clear of other activity around this. It would also — to celebrate Australian Football that take part in this will go in the Key ‘legends’ in attendance on this will be provided throughout local community activities. Avoiding be beneficial to supply the paper 150 Years. draw to win a major prize which the day (this could be past club the year. any competition for page space or with the Australian Football 150 Always ensure the most will be announced in March. legends, state league or AFL Finally, your club will be able airtime will work to your advantage. Years logo. important information is at the Your club’s Community players, etc). to provide an email address where Contact the paper: Most clubs Contact your local council: top of the media release. Football Weekend webpage will Photo gallery (post-match). regular Community Football would be in regular contact with Your local council might be willing It is important to include a detail the following:  Volunteer recognition — an Weekend information, along with one or more reporters. If you do to get involved with your spokesperson’s name and contact Match specific information: opportunity for your club to broader Australian Football 150 not have a contact, contact the celebrations. It, too, could provide number as he or she may be asked  Details of the scheduled match list long serving/outstanding Years news, can be forwarded paper and ask for the editor, sports advice, supply a venue or even do interviews if the media outlet — teams playing, day, date, time, volunteers. throughout the year. reporter or general reporter (the contribute financially. needs more information. number of reporters will depend on Write a media release: Once Suggested media release the size of the publication). Take the you have confirmed your activities templates are available A Final Word time to explain who you are, what and event, it is important to let by visiting the Community To assist you in promoting Community Australian Football 150 Years celebrations club you are from and what you are people know it is on. Send details Football Weekend section Football Weekend, the AFL and state is important. Together everyone around planning to celebrate Australian of your club’s activity in the form of 150years.com.au. football bodies will embark on a national the country has the opportunity to Football 150 Years. of a media release to the paper, Involving the media: Inviting promotional campaign. All clubs will be celebrate together on this weekend. Speaking to the paper is a great radio and TV stations (where the local media to attend your provided with promotional resources It will be a time to reflect on the starting point to discuss your idea. appropriate) at least one month Community Football Weekend which will be available in 2008 and past 150 years, celebrate the present They should be able to give you prior to Community Football activities. This initiative can go a distributed through state football bodies. and ponder the future of our great tips on how you can structure your Weekend. Remember to include all long way to getting a story in the Your club’s involvement in Community indigenous game and where the next event to make it attractive to them. the important information, including paper, which will become a piece Football Weekend and the broader 150 years will take it. The paper will look for photo who will be involved, what type of of your club’s history.

10 Community Football Weekend Community Football Weekend 11 State Football Bodies Australian Football 150 Years contacts NSW/ACT Sam Bowes Marketing and Communications Manager (02) 8333 8026 150years@aflnswact com. au. aflnswact.com.au

NT Gaye Messer Events and Projects Coordinator (08) 8980 4804 150years@aflnt com. au. aflnt.com.au

QLD Penny Chapple Corporate Relations Officer (07) 3394 2433 Email: 150years@aflq com. au. aflq.com.au

SA Desiree Szlazak Media and Events Manager (08) 8424 2202 150years@sanfl com. au. sanfl.com.au

TAS Daniel Smedley Manager — Aurora Stadium (03) 6333 0583 150years@footballtas com. au. footballtas.com.au

VIC Peter Harley Marketing Manager (03) 8663 3000 150years@aflvic com. au. aflvic.com.au

WA Kellee Flatt Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator (08) 9381 5599 150years@wafc com. au. wafootball.com.au

For12 Community more Football Weekend information visit 150years.com.au