FOOTBALL Top job looms for Hills expat By Ben Goldfinch “Yeah I’m originally from Mt Pleasant,” commented an accommodating McLachlan, who took time out for a Could a future boss of the AFL hail from the quick chat during Tuesday’s dinner with the AFL heavy weights. Adelaide Hills? “It’s good to be back in the region, my family links are Gillon McLachlan has been earmarked as the next AFL certainly strong here.” chief executive officer ..... and he’s born and bred in the Current Torrens Valley Football Club vice-president Hills. Bronte Simounds served as club secretary when Last Monday Andrew Demetriou announced his intention McLachlan played colts competition in the Hills Football to step down as the chief executive officer, however, he League for the now defunct Pleasant Valley club. will retain his position until the end of the 2014 season. Simounds recalled both Gillon and Hamish being The man touted as his successor is past Adelaide Hills impressive young men both on and off the sporting field. resident McLachlan. “Gillon was a good young player, he used to ruck in the Along with a number of AFL club bosses, McLachlan colts for us along with Hamish,” commented Simounds. dined out at the Haus restaurant in Hahndorf last “The McLachlan boys were good sportsmen all along Tuesday, prior to the 2014 AFL season launch held at and extremely down to earth. Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night. “Their father Angus was tied up with cricket at Mt The 40-year-old grew up with his equally successful Pleasant and used to open the batting. younger brother Hamish on the family owned sheep “You look at both Hamish and Gillon and they have station known as Rosebank, situated in Mt Pleasant certainly gone on to big things. where he assisted with shearing, mustering and handling “Whilst we haven’t produced any AFL players, what we fly-blown sheep. “If you’re not at school and it’s light outside, it’s time to do have is two guys from the area who are pretty high up work ... if it’s dark, you can come in,” reflected McLachlan within the AFL hierarchy.” on growing up on the family farm. Several AFL officials have endorsed McLachlan as a McLachlan studied at St Peter’s College and boasts future AFL chief executive, including North Melbourne law and commerce degrees, whilst he also studied at president James Brayshaw and Collingwood counterpart Stanford University. Eddie McGuire. He has been with the AFL since 2000 and has served “I think he’s outstanding,” assessed Brayshaw, himself a as chief operating officer since 2008, with broad past Hills resident. responsibilities across fixturing, broadcasting, stadiums “He’s got an enormous amount to offer the organisation and venues, and the creation of AFL Media. ... he understands it back to front and he’s got great Last year McLachlan was acting chief executive officer respect at club land.” of the AFL for several weeks while Demetriou took an McLachlan is the son of pastoralist and former first-class extended break overseas, and during late 2013 he was cricketer Angus, who took charge of the Mt Pleasant appointed deputy chief executive officer. family farm in 1971. Despite his rising status within the AFL and the potential He is also the nephew of former Federal politician of becoming the most powerful man in Australian sport, and cabinet minister and current SACA president Ian McLachlan remains down to earth. McLachlan. Right: AFL deputy chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan during last week’s visit to the Adelaide Hills region where he was born and raised. Timely releases With the 2014 football season set Trainer shortage crisis on the horizon, the Slattery Media By Jeff Pistola Group is providing two timely book Right: releases for any avid AFL follower. Hills sporting competitions face the prospect Hills Football The Punters Guide To The 2014 AFL of dwindling numbers regarding the availability League Trainers Season focuses ahead to the new season, Association with every bet, every team and every angle of qualified and accredited trainers. of the game covered. Fred Harford – who has been associated with the Mt president Fred The Guide outlines a thorough analysis of Barker Football Club as a trainer for over 28 years – has Harford is past seasons and how previous results can expressed concern toward a trend of a decrease in the seeking an impact of each team’s future performances. number of people currently involved, or taking on the role increase in Compiled by Cliff Bingham and Greg of a sporting trainer. the number Oberscheidt, with betting advice tips from President of the Hills Football League Trainers of properly Jason Sylvester – head bookmaker at Association (HTA), Harford believes any dwindling accredited Flemington Sportsbet – The Guide is a numbers could jeopardise the care of injured players, or must for people who enjoy betting on AFL, even threaten various sporting activities actually taking medical staff for those selecting fantasy football teams, or place. the 2014 season. anyone just wishing to dominate the work “On the eve of a new football season, there certainly or office tipping competition. appears to be a major shortfall in the number of qualified It supplies the latest club information and and currently accredited trainers at many clubs,” The scope will also exist for those interested to pursue a statistical breakdown and betting analysis suggested Harford. further involvement in the role of a sports trainer and on all 18 clubs. “The issue is not just related to football, it is actually graduate through to Level 1 accreditation. The Punters Guide to the AFL Season worrying the number of sports staged within the Hills At the commencement of 2012, the HTA organised a retails for $14.95 and is available at region without any real presence by authorised trainers. special Level 1 catch up course conducted by SMA, bookshops and newsagents. “It is advisable to attend a Basic Awareness workshop to aimed for trainers who had let their accreditation lapse Playing To Win is a compulsory addition be able to better assist qualified sports trainers or higher up to seven years. to the library of all Hawthorn fans, qualified. For the start of that season, the HTA had 34 accredited documenting the club’s journey to its 11th Based on unparalleled access and frank “At the very least, all junior matches should have at least Level 1 and Level 2 trainers registered with SMASA, AFL premiership in 2013. interviews with a number of key figures someone who has an Advanced First Aid course which is with 21 trainers providing a duty of care at Hills Football Written by past Walkley Award winner within the Hawks, including Alastair really a sense of a ‘duty of care’ policy. League Central Division level and 13 providing a duty Michael Gordon, the 208-page book Clarkson, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell, “That means some one who is proficient in identifying of care in Country Division, while an additional 20 only reveals the intimate story of Hawthorn’s the account is a worthy read for anyone any medical related problems or injuries.” assumed they were accredited five-year journey from an unexpected who wishes to understand what is required In line with AFL policy, there is required to be a person Last season a Level 1 course was arranged by the grand final defeat in 2008 to redemption to succeed in the field of any sport. with the Advanced First Aid Certificate in attendance at HTA for all sporting bodies to attend and proved a great last season, following yet another flag Playing To Win is set to be released at the any game stage below Under 16 level. success, with the attendance of 31 local students and defeat in 2012. beginning of April. Matches in competition over the age of 16 require the participants involved with netball accredited to Level 1 presence of a Level 1 accredited trainer, or a higher status. qualified person. From that course, the number of Hills Level 1 trainers “It is certainly in the best interest of all clubs to ensure increased to 46, but Harford is keen for a further lift in that they have the required allocation of trainers at all numbers. Netball search games,” Harford reflected. “I have heard it suggesed that a good trainer can be “The HTA is well aware that the number of trainers she was always there to provide the more important to a club than a star player, because Australian Diamonds netballer have been falling over the past few years, and also without the trainer, the player might not be out there,” he emotional support which is so important.” Kimberlee Green has jointed the fact that some trainers may not be aware that their quipped. To nominate a Telstra Netball Hero, visit accreditation has lapsed, given it generally lasts for a “That’s a fair assumption ... it certainly is a great asset with Telstra to recognise and www.facebook.com/telstranetball and reward SA netball volunteers three-year period. for a club to have great training staff and possibly they explain in 100 words or less “who your “Not being registered with the HTA, or Sports Medicine are taken for granted in all sports on occasions. through the inaugural Telstra 2014 Telstra Netball Hero is and why they Australia (SMA) in holding the necessary accreditation “Sure there may be a lot of aspects to the job these Netball Hero award. deserve to be rewarded.” certainly leaves the gate open for some difficulty should days, including the accreditation processes for such The award is focused toward someone A finalist from every State and Territory circumstances arise. areas as CPR, and national ratings when it comes to who dedicates their time and energy to will receive a $500 grant for the registered “I myself am a stickler for accreditation, and certainly child abuse and discrimination. provide support and expertise for the netball team, club or association suggest that at least the duty of care First Aid certificate “There can also be long hours, however, it certainly can game at a community level, which may connected to their Telstra Netball Hero, exists within every club’s juniors, while also encouraging be a satisfying involvement although the voluntary basis include a coach, umpire, score keeper, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G, plus a advancement to the Level 1 accreditation.” appears to be slipping as money also sneaks into that a person who tends to injuries or a signed netball. facet of sport.” dedicated volunteer who is courtside at The national Telstra Netball Hero award Educational workshops While all Hills football clubs have been forwarded with every match, supporting the players. winner will receive a VIP experience ln line with Harford’s thoughts, the HTA have organised information, any queries and further details on next “I started playing netball at a young age, at their closest State team gala dinner, two upcoming workshops at Mt Barker in a bid to bolster month’s workshops can be obtained from HTA secretary and my mum Denise played a massive and also receive a $1000 grant for awareness and numbers in regard to trainers, within all Ruth Work on 0400 439 128 or at ruthwork1@hotmail. role in supporting me in my training, the registered netball team, club or sports. com driving me to matches and providing the association connected to the 2014 Telstra On Sunday, April 6, a basic awareness workshop In a prelude to the workshops, MyPhysioSA and Medipro encouragement I needed to play at a Netball Hero, together with two signed for interested people wishing to assist trainers will be are sponsoring a free sports taping evening where representative level,” outlined Green. team shirts. conducted. physiotherapist and sports trainers will demonstrate “Mum’s success as an Olympic swimmer Entries close on June 9, with finalists The workshop from 9am-1pm will touch on issues such taping techniques such as basic ankle, knee and gave me the inspiration and drive to to be announced on June 23, before the as an introduction to strapping and recognising the first shoulder, as well as for advanced soft tissue, foot and signs of any discomfort or problems to players on the thumb injuries. succeed in my sporting endeavors and overall winner is revealed on August 21. field. It is to be conducted at MyPhysioSA Clinic on April 4, An accredited first aid instructor will be conducting a commencing at 6pm and concluding at 7.30pm. course on April 13 from 9am-4pm, enabling all current All instruction and tape will be provided free for a Now you can keep up to date with Hills sport while out of the qualified level 1 trainers and trainers assistants to maximum of 30 trainers, with bookings essential through district by checking our website at www.courier.net.au complete an Applied First Aid course for a cost of $120. [email protected]