OFFICIAL PROGRAM OCTOBER 2017 Join Mel Jones and Get Involved to Change Our Game
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OFFICIAL PROGRAM OCTOBER 2017 Join Mel Jones and get involved to Change our game. From leadership to participation and everything in between, all sport and recreation can benefit from including more women and girls. Let’s work together to shape our future and change our game. Visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au MASTERS Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events John Eren - 2017 AFL Masters National Carnival On behalf of the Victorian Government, welcome this year’s AFL Masters National Carnival in Geelong. The AFL Masters Carnival is the premier event for seasoned footballers, and we are delighted to showcase the best of the best in over 30s men’s and women’s competition at Geelong’s iconic Simonds Stadium. The average age of this year’s carnival is a young 47, and fans can look forward to seeing some top action, where local legends of the game will be turning back the clock by taking some big grabs and showing the younger generation how it is done. Since it was established in 1980, AFL Masters has grown to 119 teams from around Australia. It is designed for people to keep fit and have fun – whether they are a novice or footy stalwart. Sporting coups like these also mean serious business for Geelong – they strengthen the local economy and give visitors from around the country an opportunity to see for themselves the best of everything we offer. It is why the Victorian Government is proud to have secured this significant competition and is working to bring more big sporting events to regional Victoria to drive visitation, create jobs and keep local businesses busy. With the final upgrade of Kardinia Park now on the horizon, fans can look forward to seeing more big-ticket blockbuster events and some of the world’s best athletes in their backyard. Congratulations to all the players, coaches and your supporters for your lifelong passion for the game. I am sure you will do your states proud. I would also like to commend the AFL masters family, the umpires, officials and the volunteers for providing this opportunity for our masters to showcase their skills and love of our fantastic homegrown game. In addition to the football, I invite our interstate guests to enjoy the best of everything in Geelong and beyond, including our vibrant culture, fascinating history and natural attractions. On behalf of all Victorians, I hope you enjoy a thrilling and exciting 2017 AFL Masters National Carnival. Hon John Eren MP Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events 1 Official Welcome - Events Geelong On behalf of the City of Greater Geelong, we welcome you to the AFL Masters Carnival, Australia’s premier event for masters footballers from across the nation. Along with Geelong Major Events, the Council is proud to support thiS week-long carnival designed to help keep football players aged 30+ fit and enjoying life. We are delighted to be welcoming each player, coach, event organiser and supporter, from every state and territory in Australia, to Geelong for this event. We are glad to be playing host and showing off our fantastic local facilities; Simonds Stadium with its newly completed, world-class Brownlow Stand and fantastic local grounds, Elderslie Reserve and Drew Reserve. We hope that during or after the festival you will take the opportunity to experience and explore some of what our region has to offer; including boutique and big brand shopping, impressive wineries, picturesque beaches and local produce at award-winning cafes and restaurants. To all those competing, we wish you well – play hard, play fair. We hope you have a fantastic time participating in the 2017 AFL Masters Carnival and enjoy spending time in our beautiful city. Dr Kathy Alexander Administrator Chair City of Greater Geelong 2 MASTERS 2017 AFL Masters National Carnival Welcome to Geelong Welcome to Geelong! To all players, umpires, coaches, support staff and their friends and family, welcome to Geelong for the 2017 AFL National Masters Carnival. This year’s event is significant as it marks the 20th anniversary of the first AFL National Masters Carnival, held in Geelong in 1997. Following the success of the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Competition this year and the introduction of the women’s masters last year, it is expected there will be up to eight women’s teams for this year’s carnival. I’m delighted that Susan Alberti, former Western Bulldogs Vice President and a prominent supporter of women’s football, has accepted the role of Patron for the women’s competition within the carnival. Adelaide, Maroochydore, Sydney, Darwin and the Gold Coast have all hosted Carnivals in recent years and the return to Geelong will be highlighted by the newly upgraded Simonds Stadium, where the majority of matches will be played. Australian Football is truly a game for everyone, from NAB AFL Auskickers through to Masters, and age is no barrier in enjoying our great game. Events of this scale don’t happen without planning, commitment and execution of so many people, so I’d particularly like to highlight the work of the organisers in arranging this year’s AFL National Masters Carnival. Thank you for all your efforts and our best wishes for this success of this year’s event. Finally, I’d liked to wish everyone the best of luck as they take the field this week and hope it’s an enjoyable carnival for all. Gillon McLachlan AFL CEO 3 National President’s Welcome On behalf of the National board I extend a very warm welcome to all competitors, officials and their families to the 2017 Geelong carnival. 1997 was the last time we held the National Carnival in this region so it has been a very long twenty year wait to return. We hope everyone enjoys the local pleasures and tourist highlights the Geelong region has to offer. Let’s hope the weather is kind to us as we know the rest will fall into place throughout the eight days of competition. Vic Country President Wayne Hall and head of the organising committee Charlie Adornetto and Graeme Boyd have worked tirelessly to ensure everything is in place for what looks like being one of our biggest carnivals ever held by AFL Masters. Simonds Stadium is the perfect setting to host our biggest ever carnival, which will compete across six age groups and twelve divisional draws, in both male and female competitions. The draw will be split between three venues on each of the four game days. The Ladies are back this year with their number blossoming to ten teams. NSW will be very keen to defend the inaugural women’s trophy they won last year but will be up against some very tough opposition. This year’s carnival is expected to see in excess of 1000 players and more than 1600 AFL Masters people visiting the Geelong region. The surrounding area has an amazing tourist trail that will keep everyone occupied throughout the eight day plus stay. Our thanks to sponsors, Events Geelong, Victorian State Government, Carlton United Breweries, Sherrin Footballs, Geelong Football Club, St Josephs, St Peters and Newtown football clubs who have generously provided the football ovals. They have all helped ensure that the 2017 AFL Masters National Carnival is not only the biggest ever, but one of the most successful National carnivals as well. There are a number of functions to be held throughout the week. The opening Ceremony as well as the Long Kick and Sprint competitions that will be conducted at Simonds Stadium on Monday evening during the first round of competition. We also have the Welcome Function, Hall of Fame and the SupersClub functions to enjoy, so please refer to your programme or contact your State President for more details. The final night Presentation will be by far the biggest event which celebrates and rewards the week of competition. This will be held at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night after the completion of the final round of football.it is a fabulous night that is not to be missed On behalf of the AFL Masters Board and Management we wish you a fantastic and safe stay here in Geelong, and as always enjoy your “FOOTIE FOR FUN” Steve Eurell National President 4 MASTERS AFL Masters Victorian Country Presidents Welcome On behalf of Vic Country AFL Masters and the Geelong Organising Committee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the AFL Masters National Executive, State Presidents and officials, Umpires, Coaches, all men and women MAF players and their families to the 2017 Geelong AFL Masters Carnival. It’s been 20 years since Geelong held its last Carnival and certainly things have changed a lot since then. I believe there were only 35’s, 40’s and 50’s competing in 1997, with a total of 28 teams. Please enjoy what the Geelong region has to offer during your visit. There are plenty of great attractions, lots of fantastic food and wine at local winery’s and eateries, and the world class Surf Coast with plenty of beaches to surf at or simply relax at. They have a fantastic water park for the kids and keen adults, “And of course the weather will be fantastic in Geelong” Our matches will be played at the newly renovated Simonds Stadium, home of the mighty Geelong Cats, St Joseph’s Football Ground, St Peter’s Cricket Ground and Newtown Football Club (the last three grounds all within walking distance of each other). All have great playing surfaces. On behalf of AFL Vic Country Masters I would like to thank our Carnival Chairman Charlie Adornetto, and his organising team Graeme Boyd, Peter Cameron, Wayne Allan, Sharon Parker, Vanessa Zorkau, Jane Adornetto and Kevin Blatchford for all their hard work and organisational skills to provide the most enjoyable carnival for all involved.