Black Diamond AFL Inc 9th Annual Report BLACK DIAMOND AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE Inc 2008 ANNUAL REPORT This image is used under licence from the AFL and Jamie Cooper Tribute Painting Celebrating 150 years of Australian Rules Football Audited Financial Report § Balance Sheet Black Diamond AFL Inc 2008 Annual Report INDEX 2008 Officials and Office Bearers 3 President’s Report 4 General Manager’s Report 6 Umpire’s Coach Report 8 Sponsorship 11 Publicity 12 Medal Night 14 Tribunal 16 BDAFL Executive Meeting Attendance 17 Representative Football 21 Finals 23 Office & Equipment 32 Sporting Pulse 33 AFL Development 33 Administration Award 38 League Honour Board 38 Merchandising 39 Football Record 40 Calendar of Happenings 42 2008 Winners 43 2008 Club Championship 44 League Best & Fairest 45 Leading Goalkickers 47 Best & Fairest Voting 48 2008 Competition Ladders 50 Club v Club 52 League Records 53 2008 Umpires 53 2008 Black Diamond Cup Results 55 Mission Statement 56 2008 Audited Financial Statements Inside Back Cover BLACK DIAMOND AFL Inc Unit 1, 15 Kam Close, Morisset NSW 2264 Postal: PO Box 6161, Kincumber NSW 2251 ABN: 92 825 700 134 Phone: 0418 277 051 Facsimile: 4969 6484 Email: [email protected] 26 October, 2008 2 Black Diamond AFL Inc 2008 Annual Report 2008 OFFICIALS AND OFFICER BEARERS President Chris Arnold*, Steve Smith JP Vice President Ian Kingwill, Grant Godfrey Board Members Chris Arnold*, Steve Smith, Ian Kingwill, Grant Godfrey, Bill Walford Andrew Druitt*, Russell Boucher*, Peter Tulk, David McCredie General Manager Scott Ledwidge* Les Hornery Football Record Editor Website Editor Independent Arbiter Jenni Stevens Ian Granland Evan Walker Committees Tribunal Panel Umpires Chair: Barry Lacey Coach Roger Crowhurst George Simpson Liaison Darrel Luck Jeremy Raftos Selectors Grant Godfrey John Sullivan Roger Crowhurst Representative Staff Senior Under 18 Coach: Adam Dugan Coach: Scott Harrington Asst Coach: Darren Gilmour Selectors: Adam Dugan Selectors: Steve Smith (Chairman) Scott Ledwidge David Flynn James Newburn Steve Cutler Mitch Ede Andrew Bubb Manager: Scott Ledwidge Manager: Lonny Hawkins Captain: Captain: Sam Brasington Runner: Scott Ledwidge Runner: Josh Nesbitt Trainers: Sean Riedel Head Trn Trainers: Sean Riedel Nathan Elliott Nathan Elliott Life Members +Senator J Arnold, J. Arnold Jnr, A. Baylis, D. Bouch, L. Boyd, W. Best, R. Boyle, +B. Brown-Parker, L. Butt, G. Clark, J. Cormack, D. Craney, R. Dineen, W. Deenen, E. Dixon, +W. Elliott OAM, +A. Gilpin, I. Granland OAM, +F. Kaaden, D. Manson, G. McBain, Ald D. McDougal, D. McKenzie, J. McKeown, +A. Needs, A. Oaten, +B. Parker-Brown, R. Pratt, N. Reading, +D. Rees, Pastor W. Robinson, +A. Savage, V. Stark, I. Shugg, J. Sullivan, R. Walters, C. Watson *Resigned +Deceased 26 October, 2008 3 Black Diamond AFL Inc 2008 Annual Report PRESIDENT’S REPORT To say that this season has been a baptism of fire would be an understatement. Firstly, we lost out President, Chris Arnold, as he resigned in April on the eve of the season. A number of directors, Andrew Druwitt & Ian Kingwell followed suit. Eventually the General Manager, Scott Ledwidge, also tendered his resignation and finished in June. I would like to thank Scott for his efforts in the league over the past 18 months and in particular the past four which has been a very difficult situation for the league. The Board, on a recommendation from AFL (NSW/ACT) Regional Manager, Glen Waide, we appointed Les Hornery to the position. In a very short time Les grasped the job in both hands and has proven to be a most welcome and respected addition to our league. For the bulk of the season, due to the aforementioned resignations, we ran the league with a board of 3. This had some within the league calling for the AFL (NSW/ACT) to take over the running of our competition, a suggestion which I opposed most vehemently. As has been the way in previous seasons, we appointed David McCredie and Peter Tulk to the Board. Whilst they may not have been able to attend a number of our monthly meetings they were able to provide valuable input via e-mail. Ian Kingwill also rejoined the board for the last three months (August – October) and has continued to be a valuable member of the group. The season began with Woy Woy pulling out of the league due to lack of numbers. Nelson Bay struggled to field a first grade side and Singleton were in the competition then out of it and finally back in. Lake Macquarie stepped up into the first grade ranks and found their first year to be difficult but managed to remain semi competitive throughout the season. This year for the first time in many years we saw a good fixture with clubs teams being split not needed. There were changes to the original fixture after Woy Woy pulled out and then the changes with the Singleton Football Club. In an attempt to help struggling clubs the board introduced a change to our by laws to allow those clubs having the bye to “loan” players on a match by match basis on request. This proved to be a popular decision and there were no more forfeits following the introduction of that change to the rules. Later this year I (or whoever is President) will be attending a meeting of all leagues affiliated with the AFL (NSW/ACT) where a generic set of bylaws prepared by the AFL's Bob Robinson will be high on the agenda. Our “Player Loan” bylaw is one which he wishes to incorporate in this new booklet. 26 October, 2008 4 Black Diamond AFL Inc 2008 Annual Report Following the successful season launch at Tulkaba Park where the committee and members of the Lake Macquarie Football Club did such a great job the season got under way. From the outset, Cardiff & Newcastle City stood out as the teams to beat. While Cardiff managed to go through the season unbeaten, a well drilled Newcastle City team were just too good in both the Preliminary and Grand Finals and were the worthy winners of the 2008 Black Diamond Cup. Unfortunately during the season and more importantly the finals series some clubs and their supporters were guilty of breaches of the league’s code of conduct. We received numerous letters of complaint about the behaviour of the supporters from one club in particular and this club will be called before the board to answer these charges. We are trying to make our code the most respected football code in the region where families can enjoy the day out. Loutish behaviour detracts from these efforts and will not be tolerated by the league. During the season we also participated in representative football; firstly against Sydney and then in defence of our title in the State championships in Wagga. While we did well against the Sydney team (this is destined to be a regular fixture in future seasons) our efforts in Wagga were disappointing to say the least. Rather than dwell on this, a representative section is included in this annual report. Once again we enjoyed the continuing support of Ron Oeser and the Carlton Draught company together with Star FM & Prime who provided so much at functions and during the season. Their support has been invaluable and we look forward to renewing the partnership in 2009. Unfortunately, sponsorship for the league has been difficult to obtain. We have had to rely on club affiliation fees and purchases to be able to continue to pay our General Manager to run the league. While our competition manages to get good press coverage on the Central Coast we continue to find negativity in the press in the Newcastle region. Prime TV has given good pre match coverage but NBN and other media outlets have been less than cooperative towards our code. This is a hurdle we will have to overcome in the coming seasons if we wish to be able to attract decent sponsorship dollars. Finally, as we head into our AGM and elections, it is sad to note that we have only received one nomination from within clubland for the board. Does this mean all are satisfied with our performance? I tend to believe it is a case of indifference. STEVE SMITH President 26 October, 2008 5 Black Diamond AFL Inc 2008 Annual Report GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT I started with the league in round 10 as the new General Manager after Scott Ledwidge tendered his resignation. I spent one day with Scott going over the schedule and I thank him for his time bringing me up-to speed with the work load. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. On my second day I introduced myself at the Presidents Meeting. I found the clubs to be welcoming and I started to form a relationship with the key people within each club. Over time I met more club people and by the end of the season I was no longer a stranger. My background is in IT with 20 years in a Geographical Information Systems company which keeps me away from my two young children. I left my “career” and I have spent the last seven years at home with the kids. I started working with the AFL two years ago after having played for Parkes in the Central West league in my late 20’s. With the AFL I worked with kids in schools and had great fun with all the smiling faces and could see the rise in numbers in the junior clubs. I was then approached by the AFL and the BDAFL Board to join the league and have been working hard to get all parties on the same page.