I. IIlilllll. AutrIUID IMdIIlllltlqll '. ml)ltCb1 AJD\OOl\B~mm~~,B~p~~tC NSW-ACT UNDER 18 TEAM 1996 AFL UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Row 3: David Willett, Matthew Harrison, Renee loppi, Brad Fuller, Cameron McManus, Craig Lambert, Travis Rankin, Mark Woodward, David Harrison. Row 2: Chad Williams, Matthew Hyde, James Byrne, Jarrod Twitt, Luke McCormick (Captain), Ben Physick, Joshua Wooden, Micheal Hogan, Ted Ray (Team Manager). Front Row: Adam Chatfield, Nathan Tresize, Cameron Mooney, Craig Drum, David Noble (Coach), Chris Jackson (Vice Capt), Brett Howman, Matthew Olney, Rodney Frost. ,. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE The curtain comes down on another season - a season when the League (you) came of age, cast adrift financially by the Australian Football League due to the re-direction of development funding to the NSW-ACT Football Development Foundation The challenge was to curtail expenditure and increase income streams, it is therefore with some satisfaction that the New South Wales Australian Football League recorded a small profit ($886.00) as well as maintained our services to the Affiliates. Chief Executive CRAIG DAVIS Sponsorship, Central Ordering and fund-raising were the areas where the League concentrated their efforts, which in tum kept the first increase of the Affiliation Fees by this Commission to a modest level and it is with some satisfaction to announce, the 1997fees will remain at the same level. Insurance is a 'bug bear' of all sporting organisations and at this time last year, the League wasfaced with the prospect of a huge increase in premiums. With the valuable assistance of Horselllntemational's Rob Veale, the League was fortunate in negotiating a three-year agreement with F.A.I. which even in a bad year will keep premium increases to a manageable level. The best part about this arrangement is-Horselllntemational are the Brokers and represent the League in all discussions and disputes with F.A.I. We take this opportunity to thank Tiffany Boys of I.E.A. for fine service in previous years as our Insurance Administration Manager Company. PETER HISCOCK AUSTRALIAN FOOTBAll LEAGUE The celebration of the AFLs Centenary Year and the resultant advertising . campaign increased the awareness and popularity of the game. The year was filled with excitement, passion, emotion, achievement and humour. Ross Oakley presided over his last Grand Final as Chief Executive Officer. His decade in the hot seat has seen the game grow from a Victorian body to a flouring National competition. I believe this will remain Ross Oakley's most lasting triumph. Ross' support and encouragement of the NSWAFL has been strong over the years and is very much appreciated. To Ross, wife Christine and family, our best wishes for the future. AFL Departmental Staff assist the League on a wide range of issues from pre- season .matches, ticketing and administrative matters-for their part in these processes, we thank them. Administration BRENDAN CONNELLY To the AFL Commissioners, Executive Staff-Ross Oakley, Ian Collins, Dean Moore, Ken Gannon, Jill Lindsay, Bill Deller and staff, thank you for your help and friendship. As "Keeper of the Code", the AFL has increased its commitment to National development for 1997 by 15% with $1.105 million being directed to Statewide programs in NSW and the ACT. The creation of a total player pathway through the RAMS isfine-but it does not address the wants of the senior affiliates. This, and other issues will be agenda items at an upcoming meeting. Failure to address these problems could have a negative effect on the resurgence we are enjoying at the present. Executive Secretary KRIS HONAN Page4 NSWAFL THE CHiEf COMMISSIONER • I offer my report of 1996 to members with satisfaction, however it also reflects concem. The positive is the present financial posifion of the League - without any funding assistancefrom the AFL, the NSWAFL through planning and management has been able to maintain its financial and service status. We welcome Ross Howarth as a new member of the Commission. Ross' early input has been outstanding and with the newly formed Sydney Football Board of Management, I wish him well as he and his board plan (hefuture of football in Sydney. The appointment of Ross followed the resignation of Peter Mackinlay in July. We thank Peterfor his contribution as a member of the NSWAFL Commission and wish him well in his role as Chairman of the NSW-ACT Australian Football Development Foundation (NSW-ACT AFDF). Chief Commissioner On behalf of the NSWAFL, I congratulate the Sydney AFL Football Club's JOHN YATES management, coaches and players for their great season. They certainly have helpedgive our code a tremendous lift in profile throughout the State. Being your representative on the Swans board has been a great experience for me and I can assure you, the working relationship between the NSWAFL and the Sydney AFL club has strengthened. It is still early days in terms of consolidation but I am sure as the Sydney FC cements its high place in AFL ranks, their success will carry through to grassroots football and assist in the overall strengthening of Australian Football throughout NSW. The first year of full operation of the NSW-ACT AFDF has seen a great increase in junior numbers kicking our footy. The ~uccessof the Under 18 VSFL team, the Rams, in itsfirst season of competition was both ,!xciting and outstanding in making the Grand Final. Congratulations to the players, coach David Noble and all members of the Commissioner working party which brought this succeSs to NSW-ACT. I believe the concept of the COL KOHLHAGEN Rams is great for this State however we ,must not lose sight of the role played by the NSWAFL. [ I Apart from development programs, the !:,SWAFL is in place to ensure all football leagues are running efficiently and successfully; to absorb the influx of players so they can mature and proceed to play at a higher level. Only a few will make it through and reach AFL level, but the balance must be reached to ensure the level of player interest and competitive standards are maintain~d which will keep our players within the State. My major concem at this time is over the decision where all transfer fees are to be directed into the funds of the NSW-ACr AFDF to assist the development program. This move has been strongly opposed by affiliates from allover the State and on your behalf the Commission is challenging the AFFdecision. Their proposals not to allow our Commissioner affiliated League councils any funding, particularly junior clubs, is failure to reward the REG TURNER efforts for creating the aspiration toward achieving the greatest possible success - failure to reward these bodies will have long-term repercussions at grassroots working level. To our sponsors, both major and associates, I thank you for your constant support of the NSWAFL - I trust you benefit widelyfor being part of our football family. In closing, I wish to thank a veryfaithful staff Craig has done a tremendous job during 1996 in all aspects of management and fund-raising, to keep the League viable - Peter for his general football knowhow and management skills; Kris for her great abilities in the secretarialprocess, and Brendan fOT:his level of dedication - the whole staff can feel proud for ajob, well done. ' As I record my thanks to the permanent staff, I do not forget the many voluntary people who have assisted in the office during t~leseason, and particularly Paul who answered the phone and collected the various mes,sages, well done Paul. To my fellow Commissioners, thank you for your dedication to the code. Of the nine years I have been a member of this Board, I state that the present Commission is the keenest and most dedicated I have experienced. Thank you gentlemen for your commitment and support, to myself and the staff I wish all administrators across our many Leagues, Clubs and affiliated League Councils, all the bestfor the 1997 season and trust you all have a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a healthy and happy 1997. Commissioner JOHN YATES ROSS HOWARTH Chief Commissioner • THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Sports Federation, I am in a position to assert some degree of influence on the decision- making process. As sportspeople representing millions of New South Wales voters, it is our right to demand far greaterfunding from the Budget for sport, so give your local member the hurry-up, in this regard. STATE& REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Let me re-state the Commission's policy on the concept of Representative Football-they are a must to keep the standard of football in the State on an even keel and to give players an opportunity to play at a higher level. League Executive and club delegates need to look at the broader picture. That was the case in the return of the Bume League after too long an absence from the representative scene. Their success at Yerong Creek against arch-rivals the Farrer Football League was a huge success, on and off the field. The State Championship match between Riverina and Sydney was a close contest and the newly-surfaced Wagener Oval at Ashbury (courtesy of Footy Tab) was afitting venue for the annual event. The standard of the match befitted the status of the Leagues trying to secure the title of NSW Premier League. Congratulations to the Riverina FL led by Terry Daniher. Sydney were certainly not disgraced by their performance, a fine testament for representative football. The Regional Championship schedule deviated from the past because of economics. A series of challenge matches were played as one-off fixtures. After advicefrom the Regional Directors, the League willformat the 1997 schedule taking into account the importance of giving every player the opportunity to make the senior State side which will play the Victorian Amateurs, possibly in Wagga in late June.