Afl Gippsland 2019 Annual Report

AFL GIPPSLAND

2019 ANNUAL REPORT

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PROUD 2019 CORPORATE PARTNERS FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT THIS SEASON

AFL Gippsland Details ...... 1 GIPPSLAND AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL COMMISSION LIMITED Head of AFL Gippsland Report ...... 2 - 3 ACN – 160 417 989

Commercial & Football Operations Report ...... 4 Office – Morwell Recreation Reserve, Travers Street, Morwell

TRFM Gippsland League Report ...... 5 Phone - (03) 5134 8733

Alex Scott & Staff WGFNC Report ...... 6 Email - [email protected]

Junior Leagues Report ...... 7 AFL GIPPSLAND COMMISSIONERS : Women’s Football Report ...... 8 Mr Paul Buckley Hawthorn NGA Academy ...... 9 Mr John Brookes Ms Cayte Hoopner Football Development ...... 10 Mr Andy Francis Finance Report ...... 11 Mr Brian Quigley Mr John Schelling Audit Report ...... 12 Mr Greg Maidment AFL Gippsland Partners ...... 22 Mr John White Ms Nat O’Connell

Mr Andrew Dillon Mr Steven Reaper Mrs Jennifer Loughnan

AFL GIPPSLAND OFFICE BEARERS:

Region General Manager: Mr Ben Joske

Head of AFL Gippsland: Mr Richard Black

Commercial & Operations Manager: Mr Don Harley

Sponsorship & Media Manager Mr Damen Francis

Football Development Manager: Mr Adrian Bromage

Football Development Manager: Mr George Morgan

Football Development Manager: Mr Michael Roberts

Football Development Manager: Mr Paul Vaughan

League Operations Coordinator: Mr Daniel Heathcote

League Operations Coordinator: Mr Stuart Goddard

League Operations Coordinator: Mr Davyd Reid

League Operations Coordinator Ms Tia McNair

Administration Assistant Mr Brandon Milburn

AFL GIPPSLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | PAGE 1

AFL GIPPSLAND REPORT

Season 2019 was a year of significant challenge to which Commercial & Operations Manager who would take over the our ongoing response will best position AFL Gippsland management of RAC staff, RAC services and the daily for future stability, prosperity and growth. The year financial management of AFL Gippsland. Don’s background balanced encouraging participation numbers and on- in law, football administration and game development was field results across the breadth of senior and junior critical in the work done to restructure our operations as we leagues with substantial disruption to the profitability, headed towards the end of the year. governance and administration of the region. The key Despite the financial and administrative upheaval, at a outcomes of these disruptions being the resignation of community level, AFL Gippsland continued to deliver positive all AFL Gippsland Commissioners in May 2019, the benefits to clubs, leagues and supporters. AFL player visits internal review and restructure of the Regional remained a highlight for young community footballers as Administration Centre (RAC) from July 2019 and the Gippsland was fortunate enough to experience multiple visits development of the G25 Strategy which will be key in from AFL teams who attended schools, local clubs, local driving positive long-term outcomes for Gippsland. businesses and community centres. Collingwood Football The year commenced with both North Gippsland Club held their AFL Community Camp in Sale which included Football Netball League and East Gippsland Football super skills clinics, signing session, a coaching workshop Netball League no longer requiring the services of the with assistant coach Matthew Boyd and a cocktail function RAC. As expected, this had a significant impact on AFL for members and guests. The club also visited an umpires Gippsland’s ability to continue to fund full operations facility, schools, hospitals and aged care facilities. They under the existing organisational structure. In May, after launched the Youth Girls league and the Reclink AFL 9’s a review conducted by AFL Victoria, it was deemed that competition, held a business breakfast and a club leadership AFL Gippsland was not in a position to service its debts seminar. Overall, the visits were an outstanding success and under the existing operating model. After consultation AFL Gippsland thanks all of those who played key roles with with the Commission, it was agreed that all the organisation and delivery including the Latrobe Valley Commissioners would resign effective immediately with Authority who, through their partnership with the Collingwood AFL Victoria assuming responsibility for all debts and Football Club, were able to make the events possible. We AFL executives Andrew Dillon, Jennifer Loughnan and look forward to our continued association with the Magpies Steven Reaper, taking over as AFL Gippsland during the final year of their agreement with the LVA in Commissioners. With these changes in affect and a season 2020. significant injection of operating capital from AFL Victoria, Continued success was seen with our Next Generation AFL Gippsland were able to move forward with confidence Academy (NGA) Program, again partnering with the in their ability to service the football and netball Hawthorn Football Club who promoted the program with communities of the region. visits from several Hawks stars in February. Four-time A review of RAC operations saw the RGM role change premiership star Grant Birchall headlined the group of resulting in the departure of Ben Joske who we thank for players who visited Bairnsdale, Traralgon and Koo Wee Rip his professionalism and tireless efforts during his time with to host skills clinics, school visits, leadership talks and AFL Gippsland. Despite our best efforts to retain the hospital visits. Hawthorn NGA Coordinator Nathan Foley services of Damen Francis and Tia McNair, changes to the must also be thanked for his involvement in the ongoing media & marketing strategies and the management of the success of the NGA program in Gippsland. AFL Gippsland junior leagues saw these highly valued employees depart acknowledges the important role that the NGA plays in the RAC at the end of the year. We thank Tia for her many encouraging interest and participation with local junior clubs achievements with the junior leagues and wish her all the in our region. As proof the program is working, it was best for her future. Damen’s contribution to the AFL pleasing to see that Harry Pepper (Hawthorn), a former Moe Gippsland community was of the highest order over many local and graduate of the NGA program, was picked up as a years of service and he leaves a legacy of genuine care, Category B Rookie. This represents the second player quality and professionalism in all his endeavours during his selected as eligible talent from Gippsland’s NGA program in time with us. Unable to agree on terms with the Gippsland the last two years. and Sale umpiring groups, our umpiring coordinator, We continue to be proud of, not only AFL Gippsland’s, but Davyd Reid also left us at the end of the season. We thank our members clubs’ endorsement and involvement in a David for his service and wish him all the best for his future. number of social causes that are held dear to our hearts. Critical to the success of our future plans was the retention Early in the year, the Traralgon Football Netball Club of League Co-Ordinator’s Daniel Heathcote (Gippsland engaged Mindful Aus to run mental health education League) and Stuart Goddard (West Gippsland FNC) and sessions for their players and members after the loss of one Administrative Support Co-Ordinator, Brandon Milburn. of their own footballers. Stuart Goddard from AFL Gippsland At seasons end I took on the newly created Head of AFL was instrumental in his involvement for which we are Gippsland role and Don Harley was appointed as our extremely proud.

AFL GIPPSLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | PAGE 2 Recognising the importance of social education, AFL junior participation and had success in 2019 with a new Gippsland championed the cause for Beyond Blue, Auskick Centre at Caldermere. Whilst we continue to Towards Zero, Love the Game Round and Orange Round, support our grass roots footballers, which increased we also acknowledge and recognise the support of parents awareness of issues surrounding mental health, road and volunteers who assist with the delivery of our junior traffic accidents and deaths, anti-gambling and domestic programs this year. It would also be remiss of me not to violence. acknowledge the hard work of AFL Gippsland’s Football Development Manager’s, George Morgan, Michael Roberts, Season 2019 represented the first year of the Towards Paul Vaughan and Adrian Bromage, who worked tirelessly Zero Round which featured the captains of every club in to support the growth of our game in the region throughout Gippsland wearing the number “0” for the week. The game the year. was supported by all clubs in the right spirit and we thank all our League Coordinators and Damen Francis for their We must thank wonderful sponsors to whom we owe so efforts in championing the event. much. Your contribution to our clubs and leagues is invaluable and every cent you contribute is appreciated at The AFLW came to Morwell Recreation Reserve in a every level. Whilst we value all sponsors, I would like to take Round 4 fixture that featured Collingwood and Greater his opportunity to thank Evans Petroleum. Whilst the long Western Sydney. Not only did this act as a brilliant show standing and valued relationship AFL Gippsland have had piece for the game at a time when AFL Gippsland was with Evans Petroleum will come to an end this year, we thank continuing to grow its senior women’s and youth girls’ leagues, it also represented the opportunity for our NAB you for your past and continued support. Your support for AFL Auskickers to participate at half time. We continue to AFL Gippsland and the Gippsland sporting community at endorse and support the growth of women’s football in large has been enormous and we thank you for everything Gippsland and look forward to the continued rise in you have done for us and our game. popularity of the AFLW, VFLW, AFLGW and AFLYG competitions. Last but by no means least, as we reflect on a year of change The presence of the AFLW was quickly followed by the and future opportunity, I would like to thank the volunteers return of AFL level football to the region with old foes who make the sports of football and netball possible in our Carlton and Collingwood going head to head in Morwell as community. You are the heart and soul and the true lifeblood part of the JLT Community Series. of our clubs and leagues. Your continued efforts and passion humble those of us who observe from a distance and without Grassroots football continues to be the core of our football community with an acknowledgement that the investment you, none of what we do would be possible. in Auskick programs, school visits and junior club participation remains paramount. We continue to look at

ways we can build upon

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COMMERCIAL & OPERATIONS

Commercial & Operations – Don Harley

As a non for profit organisation, AFL Gippsland seek to be Hawthorn Football Club, ensures that the cost of participating commercially viable to the extent that it can fund its in the program including the apparel, the ground hire, the operations to best meet the needs of its football and netball coaching seminars and workshops and any other associated community. Aside from its core business and income costs, are reduced making the program a value for money stream, AFL Gippsland depends on valuable sponsorship option for the families of our NGA participants. The Hawthorn from a range of proud and committed corporate partners Academy represents a fantastic exposure opportunity for to assist with its delivery of key performance objectives. corporate partners with all children wearing their apparel proudly in both their schools, in public and at their local clubs. Evans Petroleum finalised the last of a two year sponsorship with AFL Gippsland in 2019, in a year where We can proudly report that McDonald’s have seen great value in having their logo emblazoned on all shirts, caps, shorts and AFL, AFLW and NAB League matches would be held and footballs that were distributed to Academy participants. televised at grounds that prominently featured their corporate logo as well as key recognition as our major partner in advertising materials and communications that In review, 2019 was a difficult year financially for AFL included approximately 120,000 touch points per season Gippsland and we have worked hard to identify areas of across approximately 15,000 football and netball commercial waste and inefficiency in our business. We have participants plus the general public. We thank Evans for made improvements to our systems and procedures, our their valuable partnership and wish them well for the staffing structures and our fixed and flexible contract future. obligations. These improvements will continue and are The Collingwood Community Camp in February 2019 saw already starting to bare the fruits of sound financial our second major partner, Optus, play host to some of the management. Building on this commonsense approach, AFL stars of the competition who represent the black and white. Gippsland will be best placed to provide administration and or The event, held at the Optus store in Sale, was well governance services to the regions Leagues and attended by the local community and represented a Competitions when they are required. fantastic opportunity for Optus to showcase their

involvement in community football. Jayson Grool and his team have continued to contribute to grassroots sport and have a considerable presence in Eastern Victoria. We hope to build on our partnership for many years to come, particularly with Optus’ construction of new satellite towers across the region which reflects the continued investment into infrastructure that will better service the Gippsland region. Gumbuya World increased their brand presence with AFL Gippsland in 2019, with their sponsorship of both the junior interleague carnival and the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition. The junior interleague carnival is considered one of the most coveted events of the junior carnivals and was proudly named the Gumbuya World Cup for season 2019, with the winning teams provided with discount vouchers to attend the Gumbuya World venue in Tynong North. West Gippsland FNC hosted their 2019 presentation night at the venue which was a fantastic evening for all players and administrators. The venue at the theme park is newly built and represents one of the best facilities in the Gippsland region. Gumbuya World executives remain invested in junior football in Gippsland, with discussions already underway for increased investment into the operations of the Hawthorn NGA Academy for 2020. We look forward to providing updates on that in due course. The Hawthorn NGA Academy was proudly supported by Darren Cowell and his team of neighboring licensees at McDonald’s. Their investment along with that of the

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GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

resources Carlie and the girls have played a vital role for the Season 2019 was another success on and off the field for Gippsland League, ensuring that not just our netball events the TRFM Gippsland League. Financially the League has are staffed but also our League events. never been in a stronger position and again can look at investing in club programs as it did in 2017 where over Our League sponsors have again been magnificent in their $150,000 in initiatives were invested back into the clubs. support and investment in the TRFM Gippsland League From an on-field point of view, the football and netball product. Our major naming rights sponsor TRFM and Matt remain the top standard in the region and the senior grades Cummins and Andrew Howe’s continued support allows the were very competitive in 2019. The Senior football saw the League to reach new heights in its exposure within our region ladder shift almost weekly and there were several ‘upset’ and beyond. AGA and Anthony Magnuson are a huge results showing that truly any side could win on the day. supporter of the League and allow us to produce AGA The season again ended on a high with a superb Gippsland League TV and the AGA Rookie of the Year showcase on Grand Final day. The League again amongst other things. A huge thank you to our other major produced the highest attendance in the region on Grand partners including McDonalds Gippsland and Paul & Prue Final day and from a personal point of view the atmosphere Hill from Gippsland Physiotherapy Group. Gippsland (pre and post the mid-day shower) was electric, especially Physiotherapy Group are our major sponsors of our football at the netball courts. interleague programs for 2019 & 2019. Metricon Homes continue to support our netball representative programs. The We continued to make a significant impact in the media League is proud to offer our representative players the and promotional space. At the beginning of 2019 Damen Francis and I managed to secure a deal which would see opportunity to compete without charging players for their two senior football games filmed every weekend with a full uniforms and the support of Metricon allows this to happen. statistics package included. This included full player and We are a leader in the region in our representative programs team stats for the match. There was also a portal setup for and it is thanks to the support of Metricon and Gippsland the clubs which gave the coaches access to film cuts from Physiotherapy Group that allows us to go the extra length to kit out our players with all the on field & off field gear without the match which included intercept marks, goals from cost and cover the majority of the other expenses. turnovers and clearances just to name a few. We also negotiated a live streamed match every month to be After finishing my fourth season managing the Gippsland included and the full streaming of all football matches on League, I want to thank all the people that I deal with Grand Final day. This was a significant step for the League throughout the season that make things run. It was great to as we were the first League in the state to partner with get the support and help through the finals series from all of Premier Data and receive full stats for our filmed matches. the host clubs and especially on Semi Final weekend where Shortly after AFL Barwon followed suit along with a few I was unavailable and Maffra and Traralgon stepped up to other Leagues in the state. run the match days along with Carlie and the netball crew. It is great to have built some good relationships and friendships The Record also continued to be developed and Damen and I produced a number of new initiatives including the over the past four years, so I thank you all for your support inaugural Gippsland League Top 50 and Mid-Season and efforts to help keep Gippsland League being the Special issue. We also produced alternating covers over organization and competition it is. our split rounds and included a number of feature articles to again be a leader in the region in this space. We also produced weekly content in the form of reviews and previews which were also used through the social media platforms. From many reports at clubs the Record seemed to hold sales if not gain on the past few years which was a positive. Again, throughout the finals it continued to sell a high percentage of the available copies. A huge thank you to our netball representatives led by Advisory Committee member Carlie Dwyer. This year we reformed a netball committee including Carlie Dwyer, Karen Proctor, Jo Ballinger and Jodie Galea to formalize the roles that these volunteers were already undertaking over the past few years. All the members you would have seen running the netball operations during the finals and they play a vital role in ensuring that our netball programs and events are of the highest quality. With the way the League model is setup in terms of our

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West Gippsland Football

Netball Competition Report

League Operations Coordinator –Stuart Goddard

The third year of the Alex Scott and Staff West Gippsland every opportunity, having presented numerous awards both Football Netball Competition has come to an end and it will at presentation night and also on grand final day. We were long live in the memory of those associated with the Phillip excited to announce at presentation night the fantastic news Island Football Netball Club and the Tooradin Dalmore that Alex Scott and Staff would be recommitting to the football and netball clubs. Despite some tough weather WGFNC for a further three years and we extend our sincere conditions, Garfield Recreation Reserve again stood up to thanks to Paul and the team at Alex Scott and Staff for their the test as the Bulldogs took out three of the four football continued support of our competition. It has been a strong premierships, including an epic senior flag capping off their year on and off the field in the WGFNC and I have had some triumphs in the fourths and thirds matches. While the tremendous support throughout the 2019 season. From AFL Island’s four-point thriller in the senior match was the best Gippsland, the work of former RGM Ben Joske and Media match of the day, the reserves match provided the crowd and Marketing Manager Damen Francis cannot be with the football moment of the year, with a kick after the discounted. Ben did a fantastic job providing leadership and siren securing Tooradin Dalmore their first ever reserves direction for the WGFNC in his time as RGM while Damen premiership and maiden flag in the WGFNC. has played a major role in the promotion of the WGFNC, our digital and print media space would not be where it is without A similarly impressive narrative was replayed on the netball courts with Tooradin Dalmore reigning supreme in the work he has contributed. The WGFNC Advisory all 3 open grades of netball and stamping their authority in Committee went through a minor restructure at the beginning their first year in the WGFNC. The WGFNC expanded this of the year and welcomed two new members in Steve year from 10 to 12 teams with the addition of Tooradin Goodie and Bobbie-Lee Blay who made seamless transitions to join current members Colin Rielly, Jodie Wilson Dalmore and Warragul Industrials. Both clubs came into and Tony Moxey. These five people made huge the competition enthusiastic and hopeful of making an contributions to the current and future direction of the immediate impact. As mentioned above, the Gulls were WGFNC and their support was invaluable in providing the formidable on the football field and netball court, while the best football and netball administration possible. The Dusties also featured their B Grade and 15 & Under teams in finals action. Season 2019 saw WGFNC take its annual WGFNC has quickly become a strong, vibrant and highly presentation night to a new venue at Gumbuya World. AFL competitive football and netball competition and all clubs Gippsland and Gumbuya World formed a partnership that should be congratulated on the work that they have put into involved the naming rights to the junior interleague carnival making 2019 the biggest season yet. as well as becoming the host of WGFNC’s night of nights at a reduced rate. The venue was fantastic and we thank Sharon Richardson and Michael Taylor at Gumbuya World for their hospitality and partnership.

Some of the marquee matches that we assisted with during the season included the Tooradin Dalmore v Warragul Industrials ANZAC Day match that took place at Tooradin to great success and was attended by a good crowd. Phillip Island and Warragul Industrials came together for Orange Round, to promote gender equality in sport and take a stand against men’s violence against women and children, with the aid of GippSport, Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault and the Change for Sam Initiative. AFL Gippsland was a major driver of the Love the Game Round between Warragul Industrials and Garfield on behalf of the Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation, which included an information session for our club presidents on the dangers and signs of problem gambling. Another major initiative was the TAC Towards Zero Round, which all clubs across the state participated in. The captain of each senior football side wore the number zero while the netballers wore socks bearing the blue, white and black of the TAC to promote the message of increasing road safety. All clubs embraced this important message and we thank them for their efforts. Without the continued support of our major partners Alex Scott and Staff, the WGFNC would not be in the position it is today. Paul Dunlop and the team made themselves available at

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JUNIOR LEAGUES

TRARALGON & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE had gone through the season underfeated and were on the verge of being upset in the big dance, managing to overcome Participant numbers continued to grow for the TDJFL, with teams competing across all of the Under 8’s, Under 10’s, a nippy I-K by only five points to be victorious. Under 12’s, Under 14’s, Under 16’s and a Youth Girls Phillip Island Red were crowned Youth Girls champs, competition. defeating Korumburra-Bena by seven points. TEDAS Junior Football Club were the force to be reckoned GUMBUYA WORLD CUP with in the Under 10’s competition, finishing on top of the Four leagues have tasted success at this year’s Gumbuya ladder as the undefeated team. Their program was further World Cup Gippsland junior interleague football carnival. endorsed by a ladder topping effort in both the Under 12’s and Under 14’s competitions as well in what would be an TRFM Gippsland League regained and retained the under-16 extremely pleasing year for all involved with that club. and under-18 titles respectively, with both sides finishing day undefeated to top the tables at the conclusion of the round In the Under 16’s competition, Sale side Heyfield were the robin tournament at Yinnar Recreation Reserve. side to be reckoned with, finishing the year undefeated, whilst Pax Hill were the best of the TDJFL sides. The under-16 team conceded just 26 points for the day and its closest match was against rival West Gippsland in the final Pax Hill forward Jake Healey claimed the best and fairest game, which it won 5.3 (33) to 1.3 (9) to wrestle back the title award for the Under 16’s, as well as the Chris Zotti from last year’s champions. Memorial Award for the Under 16 leading goal kicker. Glengarry’s Rhyley Guiney won the award for the Under Gippsland’s Brodie Mabilia booted nine goals, while West 14’s whilst Police Boys star Ella Stoddard won the Under Gippsland’s Harry O’Brien was named Player of the Carnival. 12’s. The under-18 division also came down to a final game battle SALE & DISTICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION between Gippsland and West Gippsland, with the major league coming away with the points, 8.1 (49) to 3.5 (23). Stratford Recreation Reserve was set alight on Sunday 8 September 2019, with all competing Grand Final teams West Gippsland’s Jay Verhagen top-scored with seven goals, participating in a day of excitement. The Under 12’s saw a while Ellinbank and District’s Jai Newcombe was named local Derby, with Sale College playing Sale City, whilst Player of the Carnival. Nambrok-Newry played Sale in the Under 14’s and At Traralgon Recreation Reserve, the Traralgon Toyota Traralgon faced Sale City in the Youth Girls. The victors for Gippsland Youth Girls Football League made it three straight the day were Sale College, in the Under 12’s, Traralgon in youth girls division titles, with a 7.1 (52) to 2.1 (13) grand final the Youth Girls and Sale in the Under 14’s, in what was a against the Bendigo Community Bank Southern Gippsland great day for junior football in the region. Junior Football Competition. Heyfield flew the flag for the SDJFA and took out a Gippsland's Ashley Centra was named best on ground in the comprehensive victory in the Under 16’s compeititon, albeit grand final, while Central Gippsland Junior Football League's competing in the Traralgon & District Junior Football Leila Raymond was named Player of the Carnival for her League. The Club finished the season undefeated, which performances during the round robin part of the tournament should bode well for the Club as those talented youngsters at Duncan Cameron Park earlier in the day. advance into playing senior football. Two days of under-12 and under-14 matches concluded in SOUTHERN GIPPSLAND JUNIOR FOOTBALL thrilling fashion. COMPETITION Southern Gippsland overcame the previously undefeated Players from the Under 8’s, Under 10’s, Under 12’s, Under Central Gippsland Junior Football League to win the under- 14’s and Youth Girls’ age groups competing within the 12 title, 4.3 (27) to 2.5 (17). Bendigo Bank Southern Gippsland Junior Football Southern Gippsland's Archie Terlich was best on ground, Competition in another strong year for the competition in while Warragul & District Junior Football League's Kai 2019. Mounsey and Caleb McIntosh were joint-Players of the It was a case of seeing double in the Under 12’s grade, Carnival. with Philip Island Red and Blue finishing top 2 in that Warragul and District’s under-14 team capped a perfect League, and squaring off as Grand Finalists. The Blue’s tournament with an 8.8 (56) to 4.8 (32) win against Traralgon took the decider out in a low scoring affair to be crowned and District Junior Football League in the decider. Under 12’s champions. Warragul and District’s Patrick Ireland finished with nine goals It was a nail-biter in the Under 14’s, with competition and was named Player of the Carnival, while teammate Seb runaways Wonthaggi Power and Inverloch-Kongwak Amoroso was best-on-ground in the Grand Final. locking horns at Tarwin Rec Reserve. The Power

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Women’s Football

League Operations Coordinator – Tia McNair

The PilatesChoice AFL Gippsland Women’s Football saw comparisons to their male namesakes in the 2000 League and the Traralgon Toyota Youth Girls AFL season. Competition continued to take positive strides forward in Bomber Kiana Minchen was adjudged best on ground by 2019 with both competitions still in their relative infancy. the umpires, whilst Emily Porter finished with four goals The chocolates very much belonged to Boisdale and Chelsea Bray kicked three. Briagolong in the senior women’s, who recorded one of the very best seasons of any side in any competition, In acknowledging the both female competitions remain whilst the Youth Girls competition was taken out by a in a growth phase, we’d like to thank our corporate feisty Traralgon side at Stratford Main Oval. partners for their valuable assistance. Without their support, barriers can remain in a competition and act as The year kicked off in exciting fashion with Sale and a discouragement to have women want to come and Korrumburra-Bena in the Youth Girls, opening their participate. seasons with a curtain raiser at Morwell Recreation Reserve to open the Round 4 AFLW match between For all our members, if you have any physiotherapy Collingwood and the Greater Western Sydney Giants. needs, get in touch with the guys from PilatesChoice or Sale’s Taylah Sciortino said at the time that the Gippsland Physiotherapy Group, with their head office opportunity to play in the curtain raiser had generated based in Traralgon. plenty of interest in the fledgling competition. “Asking a Likewise, for those in the market for vehicles, Traralgon lot of other girls around town and what not, they are Toyota would be more than happy to help you out. excited, so they would come over and have a game with Based in Traralgon, their experience and professional us. We’ve got good numbers this year which is really team will find a solution for any enquiry. good, so we’re just looking forward to the experience to show what we’re made of”. The Traralgon Toyota Youth Girls Competition had been dominated all year by the Traralgon side, who registered eleven wins and only one loss throughout their twelve game season. Rounding out the top five for the year, in order, were eventual runners up Sale City, Bairnsdale, Southern Suns and Boisdale-Briagolong. The PilatesChoice AFL Gippsland Women’s Competition saw six teams competing for the coveted PilatesChoice Premiership. Boisdale-Briagolong, one of the strongest women’s teams in Victoria, were a force to be reckoned with all year, finishing undefeated and clear ladder- toppers. Bunyip, Nyora and Foster all had respectable seasons to round out the top four, whilst Morwell East and Bairnsdale will continue to develop and benefit from their presence in the League whilst continuing their recruiting drive to continue appealing to women throughout their regions. The Bombers, unsurprisingly, went into the Premiership decider as red-hot favorites, and, aided by a strong first quarter breeze, slammed on five goals to none in the first quarter, to lead by 30 points at the first change. The change of ends proved a leveler in the second term as Bunyip were far more competitive and managed to hit the scoreboard through Keira Lee. It wasn’t long before the rampant Bombers put the game to bet, with stars Emily Porter and Jemma Dorward piling on goals before the half-time break to extend the margin beyond 50 points. Bunyip benefitted from a favourable wind advantage in the final term but could only manage to add a further two behinds, as Boisdale-Briagolong scored two additional goals to triumph 14.8 (92) to 1.2(8). The victory rounding of the Bombers’ dominant season that

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HAWTHORN NGA ACADEMY

The AFL Gippsland Academy was another strong special experience at the time”. success in the Gippsland Region in 2019, giving

opportunity to nearly 500 children, aged between 12 and 14 years old. Long considered the pathway to the Gippsland Power Under 16’s program, the Academy is a cooperative between AFL Gippsland, the Hawthorn Football Club and the Gippsland Power. In 2019, the Academy program ran under the direction of Football Development Manager’s Adrian Bromage, George Morgan, Michael Roberts and Paul Vaughan, as well as Gippsland Power Talent Manager Peter Francis and Hawthorn Next Generation Academy Coordinator Nathan Foley. The Academy was originally set up by the AFL for the purposes of identifying ‘eligible’ talent. This means any individuals who are indigenous or multicultural where, if developed accordingly, the Hawthorn Football Club might be entitled to a draft discount at the NAB AFL Draft to be able to list that player on either their senior or rookie lists. The program has quickly grown to include all talented and potential-laden children, aged between the relevant years, with the purpose of lifting the standard of community football in Gippsland. The hope is that, after the eight week program is complete, that players will return to their community clubs with a higher level of professionalism, enthusiasm and intent, which in turn will encourage and inspire their community team mates to rise to the same level. Academy commenced with an array of coaching workshops to be able to upskill coaches. The Hawks had identified that, in order to achieve the abovementioned desired community impact, the need to upskill and develop local community coaches was of paramount importance. Adrian Bromage conducted a variety of coaching workshops ‘onsite’, at each of the various satellite training locations, whilst also conducting a Gippsland Power coaching workshop and a Collingwood Football Club coaching workshop, during the Club’s visit in February. Other highlights of the 2019 Academy program included the seven week program for each of the sites and RookieMe Testing Day, held at Newborough, under the watchful eye of the Hawks Academy staff. The Academy program received no greater endorsement when Hawthorn Academy graduate, and current Hawthorn Category B Rookie, Changkuouth Jiath, broke in for his first AFL game for the Hawks. Jiath, a former Morwell and Gippsland Power player, is the perfect advertisement for eligible talent who developed through the pathway, made available to him by the NGA, and was able to find his way onto the list. Changkuoth Jiath remembers the first game of football he ever played at Morwell Recreation Reserve. "I was playing for Morwell Youth Club and we had the bye," Jiath told The Express. "So they asked a few of us who were 13 or 14 at the time to go up and play fourths for Morwell Tigers. It was a pretty

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FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

AFL GIPPSLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | PAGE 10

The start of the 2019 season represented one of the AFL Victoria, through its existing Regional Commission most challenging in the history of AFL Gippsland with the funding agreement, continued to assist funding AFL Commission positioned to incurr significant debts Gippsland game development initiatives. These amounts associated with management of revenue losses, staff are used to assist with operating costs, promoting the structuring and operating expenditure as well as game, employing Game Development Officers, promoting substantial debt commitments to the Latrobe City umpiring resources and for other costs associated with Council, the Australian Taxation Office, Pursuit Advisers, delivering football administration within the region. Loco Sportswear, the Gippsland League and With debts mounting, the Commission resigned in May and superannuation commitments. was replaced by representatives of the AFL executive. Despite the challenges, AFL Gippsland was still well Securing the debt, AFL Victoria assisted with $279,774.47 served in sponsorship revenue and grants from AFL worth of Grants to assist the Commission return to viability Victoria. The sponsorship of AFL Gippsland reflected and to continue to operate. These funds were used to meet $134,972.73 of income in the 18/19 financial year which the expenses outlined in the opening paragraph. was up from previous years, noting that this figure It is noted that the various football related expenses included the sponsorship apportioned to the West associated with typically running the leagues including Gippsland, Southern Gippsland and Women’s & Youth umpires expenses, trophies and flags and interleague Girls leagues. expenses are reflected as AFL Gippsland expenses, Administration income derived from the RAC was however were incurred in the operating of the West $288,533.02 which represented a loss on previous years Gippsland FNC, Southern Gippsland Juniors and the AFL due to North Gippsland Football Netball League and Gippsland Women’s & AFL Gippsland Youth Girls East Gippsland Football Leagues no longer utilising RAC competitions. services.

AFL GIPPSLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | PAGE 11

Crowe VIC ABN 27 621 602 883 42A Main Street Pakenham VIC 3810 PO Box 183 Pakenham VIC 3810 Australia

Main +61 (3) 5940 2033 Fax +61 (3) 5940 2042 www.crowe.com.au

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 TO THE BOARD OF GIPPSLAND AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL COMMISSION LIMITED

In relation to our audit of the financial report of Gippsland Australian Football Commission Limited for the financial year ended 31 October 2019, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 or any applicable code of professional conduct.

CROWE VIC

GORDON ROBERTSON PARTNER Date: 3rd March 2020

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

The title ‘Partner’ conveys that the person is a senior member within their respective division, and is among the group of persons who hold an equity interest (shareholder) in its parent entity, Findex Group Limited. The only professional service offering which is conducted by a partnership is the Crowe Australasia external audit division. All other professional services offered by Findex Group Limited are conducted by a privately owned organisation and/or its subsidiaries.

Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd, trading as Crowe Australasia is a member of Crowe Global, a Swiss verein. Each member firm of Crowe Global is a separate and independent legal entity. Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any acts or omissions of Crowe Global or any other member of Crowe Global. Crowe Global does not render any professional services and does not have an ownership or partnership interest in Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd. Services are provided by Crowe VIC, an affiliate of Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd. © 2019 Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd

Crowe VIC ABN 27 621 602 883 42A Main Street Pakenham VIC 3810 PO Box 183 Pakenham VIC 3810 Australia

Main +61 (3) 5940 2033 Fax +61 (3) 5940 2042 www.crowe.com.au

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Gippsland Australian Football Commission Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial report of Gippsland Australian Football Commission Limited (the Company), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 31 October 2019, the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the statement of changes in equity and the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors’ declaration.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of Gippsland Australian Football Commission Limited is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(a) giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 October 2019 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and

(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1 and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Emphasis of Matter – Basis of Accounting

We draw attention to Note 1 to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been prepared for the purpose of fulfilling the directors’ financial reporting responsibilities under the Corporations Act 2001. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Other Information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Company’s annual report for the year ended 31 October 2019, but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report and have determined that the basis of preparation described in Note 1 to the financial report is appropriate to meet the needs of the members and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The directors are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, the auditor exercises professional judgement and maintains professional scepticism throughout the audit. The auditor also: ▪ Identifies and assesses the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, designs and performs audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtains audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for the auditor’s opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. ▪ Obtains an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Evaluates the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by those charged with governance. ▪ Concludes on the appropriateness of those charged with governance’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If the auditor concludes that a material uncertainty exists, the auditor is required to draw attention in the auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify the auditor’s opinion. The auditor’s conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of the auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

▪ Evaluates the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

The auditor communicates with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that the auditor identifies during the audit.

CROWE VIC

GORDON ROBERTSON Partner Dated at Pakenham this 3rd day of March 2020