20 09 E A S T E R N F O O T B A L L LEAGUE A N N U A L REPORT Contents 1 Mission 2 Chairman 4 Chief Executive Officer 6 Senior Competition 8 Junior Competition 11 Media 12 Umpires/Trainers/Tribunal 14 Season 2009 19 Interleague 21 Team Listing 22 Awards 24 Senior Ladders 25 Senior Finals Results 26 Junior Ladders 28 Junior Finals Results 30 SEN Teams of the Year 32 Life Members 33 Financial Report 45 League Directory This page, from left: Stuart Wynd celebrates one of his nine goals for Knox in the BJS Insurance veterans grand final; Balwyn’s Allan Murray flies high over the pack in round nine versus Noble Park. Following page, from top left to right: Kids WB hosts Heidi Valkenburg and Shura Taft (centre) with participants at the Almost Little Legends football clinic; Ferntree Gully Eagles won their first ever colts premiership this year; Kilsyth were one of 39 teams who competed at this years under 11 Commonwealth Bank lightning premiership; Forest Hill won this years division four reserves grand final. The Mission The Mission of the Eastern Football League is to promote, coordinate and administer the sport of Australian Rules Football through its member clubs in the Eastern Region of the Melbourne Metropolitan area for the benefit of participants no matter what level of skill or involvement. In doing so, its aim is to be a financially viable operation that has the ability to generate adequate funds for the ongoing administration and development of Australian Rules Football in its region of influence. 2009 ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL 2009 1 The EFL board from left to right: Peter Bailey, Brian Hawkins, Bruce Peak, Kerry Freer, Leon Bailey, Graham Halbish, Jim Walker, Tim Finemore, David Flintoff and Paul Payne. Chairman The 2009 season has proven to be yet the support to the game. A significant The 2009 junior and senior finals were another where the EFL has experienced part of that strategy required the no better example of this. real growth in the numbers that embrace broadening of the support that we could our competition and the people within it. provide to matters of community benefit. Clubs are introducing new disciplines We have also attracted a growing level amongst their members and most of interest from a wide range of third It is gratifying to observe just what has definitely are expecting higher standards parties which include both government been done to specifically address issues from their players. This is supported by and business, seeking to establish an that once were not considered to be a the league by an increasing emphasis involvement in what we do and with the part of local football’s domain. Some of towards professional umpire development, broader EFL community. these issues that the league and clubs which in 2009 included the addition to have embraced in 2009 have focused staff of a full time EFL funded Head of Recently, much has changed about the on topics such as road safety, drug and Umpiring. The investigation and tribunal environment in which we are required to alcohol use, men’s health, and violence systems remain strong and effective and operate. Restrictions in the availability against women. However there were a the diligence that the league maintains of water for grounds have been in broad range of non football initiatives in regard to such matters provides the place for two years now. The disruption undertaken during the 2009 season, as platform and safe playing environment to the economy impacted seriously the diagram below shows. for the confidence of those involved on many of the avenues traditionally each week. used by clubs and the league itself to The EFL participates in these initiatives accumulate the revenues required to not because football in particular has The league itself maintains a high degree run the game. In addition to this there is a problem, but because we have a of autonomy, both financially and in its nowadays far more expected of clubs significant capacity to reach many ability to make decisions that are right for and their members, in terms of social people and in particular young males, our clubs and their members. It is crucial responsibility. Access to new types of with strong and effective messages that this remains the case. It ensures that media such as internet, SMS, video and about matters of health, safety and the league board can remain true to its audio streaming has rapidly escalated behaviour. We can make a difference in clubs, ensure that commercial objectives to make what we do broadly available to a societal sense and we accept that we are met and that the game we play is done everyone at lightning speed. have a responsibility to do so. so in a way that best fits the needs of those that play it. Despite the hurdles, we had more clubs, The quality of our football continues to more teams and more individuals join the grow at all levels and I was personally In 2009 we welcomed some significant EFL than ever before. The season started gratified to observe not just the standard new partners to the EFL. two weeks early with the 2008 SEN of our football but in the manner that it is division one team of the year taking on played across all grades and divisions. the VAFA to raise funds for bush fire relief. The match, apart from being a magnificent contest between metropolitan football’s Men’s Anti Certificate best, was a wonderful demonstration of Go For Cancer RoadSafe Health Your Life Colts of Sport & the warmth and generosity of the football Week Council Recreation community who supported the game and events surrounding it. Clubs, supporters and players from the EFL and VAFA Blue collectively provided donations totaling Knox Ribbon Accord $47,924 to support the redevelopment of sporting facilities and to support individuals in need. Non Football Programs Trainers Almost Nearly six years ago the board developed Association Little within its strategic plan, a strategy Legends to grow the equity of the EFL brand in order to develop the league and 2009 ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL 2009 Good our club’s appeal to a wider range of Coaching Drug Bush stakeholders and in doing so, improve Sports R & RVP Fire Relief 2 Program Accreditation Policy The Nine Network, ConnectEast, TAC Facing dramatic economic times the and Ferntree Gully Holden have helped board commenced 2009 with some Sponsors us to increase our ability to continue concerns regarding the future viability of to broaden the impact that we have on clubs. It has become apparent however Principal Sponsor young people through their involvement that at seasons end the general state of in sport. Our long term principal well being of clubs has improved. In most sponsor BJS Insurance, offered to cases club administrations in 2009 relinquish that position in 2009 to Nine appear to have made extremely prudent News. BJS Insurance have been an decisions forecasting revenue and Major Sponsors integral part of this competition and this pruning costs where it was appropriate. selfless gesture was another example In 2009 it was deemed more important of their preparedness to support the than ever before for the board and efforts of the league. Fortunately they the administration to be available in continued their existing level of support supportive roles for clubs seeking while providing the opportunity for the assistance. It is pleasingly apparent that Nine News relationship to begin, that those efforts provided have been fruitful. has already and will continue to raise the professionalism and exposure of the In 2009 we witnessed a new level of Support Sponsors league and of EFL clubs. competitiveness in division one. The board remains strongly of the view that The drought in this state and associated changes to the structure of division water restrictions in 2007 and 2008 one football, to the draw and to the had reduced the availability of grounds finals program have been instrumental for training and the quality of surfaces in providing this new competitiveness. for play. In the summer of 2008/09 Such changes have been good for the with the support of the Victorian State competition and while I can understand Government, Yarra Valley Water, that clubs initially had some misgivings it councils, cricket and football clubs, the has been of great solace we observe that EFL embarked on an ambitious plan to the level of competition has escalated. have more of the grounds that we use, converted to warm season grasses. In closing I congratulate all clubs on The true success of the program was their efforts and achievements in 2009 demonstrated during the EFL senior finals and thank the EFL board, members when three of the six surfaces used were and a dedicated and high achieving grounds that had been converted through administration team led by CEO Rob this initiative. In the 2009/2010 summer Sharpe, in their support of me as councils will continue to develop more chairman of the board in season 2009. surfaces, more capable of standing the rigours of warmer summers and reduced Graham Halbish availability of potable water supply. It was of considerable interest to observe the changes that some clubs have demonstrated in accepting their part in helping to manage the state of their grounds. No doubt in future more clubs will come to take advantage of the benefits available through more prudent management. Above: REPORT ANNUAL 2009 Over 8,500 people attended this years division one grand final day 3 Chief Executive Officer At the end of 2008, the board reviewed its business plan of the previous five years and agreed on a set of objectives that would complement outcomes already achieved.