We’ve raised just over $2.5k for the new digital scoreboard through the Toyota Good for Footy raffle so far. It’s a promising start, but still a long way from our goal of $20k.
The SANFL invites players to test their footy skills and wheelchair ability in the first Draft Combine for wheelchair footy:
Date: Friday 18 June Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm Venue: The Lights Community and Sports Centre, Lightsview
The event will give players an opportunity to showcase their talent and register for the inaugural Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League set to commence in July. Players will experience draft combine testing including 20m sprint and agility circuit, along with playing short matches.
Everyone is welcome to play this inclusive sport which involves mixed teams of five, including players with and without disability.
The Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League will have four SANFL Clubs competing: Central District, Norwood, Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens. The Combine will aid in the drafting of players into these competing SANFL Clubs.
Sport wheelchairs will be available to borrow on the day. Please wear sports/active clothes and bring your own water bottle. Click here for player registration: https://bit.ly/3pdfz8S
As we hit the halfway mark of the season, let’s take a moment to reflect on how our behaviour on game day has an impact on the children within our club.
As a community, Mt Lofty Devils are providing good examples of behaviour on games day, so let’s keep it up. But things can turn hairy easily, as they have with some recent publicised incidents at other clubs. Remember, “…every time we swear, hit, racially vilify or attack an opponent, an umpire or a spectator, there is a child watching.”
Also a reminder that BYO alcohol to games breaches the licensing rules of the club, so, while tempting on days when the bar is not open, it simply is not allowed.
We also wanted to share this letter from Lisa Faraci from the SANFL:
Letter to Community Clubs Regarding Behaviour
To all Club Officials, Coaches, Members, Parents and Guardians,
I write to you as follow on from SANFL’s response to recent unacceptable behaviour from some members of our football community at metro SANFL Juniors matches.
Unfortunately, these incidents are not isolated to the metro junior football space.
The majority of our Clubs and Leagues are enjoying being back on the park and, pleasingly, female football continues to gain popularity with 7% growth so far on 2019 participation figures. Clubs are also doing a great job in managing the additional requirements associated with COVID protocols which have now become the “new norm” at footy matches and venues.
However, in recent weeks we have seen a surge in football issues across regional areas which are extremely concerning. These include: • Racial vilification • Verbal and physical abuse of umpires and spectators • Liquor licence breaches • Poor concussion management • Clubs attempting to bypass League Rules and Regulations • Concerns regarding Club application of the Total Player Payment system
We simply cannot continue to tolerate these kinds of incidents.
We set very clear behavioural expectations for participants, coaches, officials, parents and spectators in community football and these expectations should be well known and enforced by all clubs. Unfortunately, the frequency with which we are receiving reports of unacceptable behaviour shows that this is clearly not the case and stronger action must be taken.
There are several key areas of concern that must be addressed.
UMPIRES
Umpire abuse continues to be a major issue and one that simply must stop. Umpires must be allowed to do their job in a safe and supportive environment. The fact that we continue to receive reports of threatening behaviour toward umpires is completely unacceptable. It must be remembered that many umpires of junior matches are under 18 and, just like your players, the umpires are developing and learning the game and should be supported and treated with respect.
COACHES, PARENTS & PLAYERS
On the field, we have seen an increase in player sanctions, while the behaviour of some parents and spectators continues to fall well below the standards expected by the football community. Incidents such as on-field melees, parents and spectators approaching young umpires after games or yelling abuse at opposing players simply cannot be tolerated. Our coaches, officials and parents must set the example. In particular, coaches are role models and leaders for their young players and it is therefore incredibly frustrating to also continually hear reports of poor behaviour from coaches on and off the field.
MOVING FORWARD
As Club leaders I ask you to get in front of your players, coaches and supporters and remind them about what is acceptable behaviour at your footy club.
I ask you to remind them to respect umpires.
I ask you to remind them that every time we swear, hit, racially vilify or attack an opponent, an umpire or a spectator, there is a child watching.
I ask you to have the courage to recognise the culture or education gaps at your club and to implement change.
One abused spectator, one racially vilified player, one junior player punched, one spectator abused is one too many.
What happens if you don’t change? What happens if we don’t, as a football community, recognise our current precarious position?
We lose volunteers.
We lose respect as an industry.
We are challenged by Government and by Action Groups to provide a please explain.
We fall prey to an uncontrollable social media system and then we lose control of our message.
We lose funding.
We lose sponsors.
We lose community respect.
We lose our capacity to be regarded as positive role models across the communities we represent.
And most importantly we teach our children that abuse, violence and inequality are part of the football landscape.
Is that acceptable?
It isn’t for me.
To put it simply, we all need to do better. SANFL is committed to providing all clubs with support where necessary; however, it is ultimately up to you to drive the standards of behaviour that are set for all participants. It is up to us all to be positive role models for the future generation of footy clubs.
We need to remember that it is a game of footy. We love competition and rivalry, but abuse, violence and threatening behaviour is unacceptable and cannot go without sanction. It is up to us all to work together to create a safer and more tolerant football community.
Let’s be proud of our sport and embrace the sense of belonging and connection we all enjoy that comes when we walk into a club every weekend as a player, spectator or volunteer.
It’s a big Friday night of footy for our Moddies, followed by an exciting Saturday night for the U8 Greens, playing on Arkaba Oval after the men’s A Grade!
Don’t forget to head into the club rooms for presentations and a meal after the game.
The Mount Lofty District Football Club is inviting all players, parents, club volunteers and supporters to participate in a survey that seeks your views on the current state of junior and youth football in the Hills Football League.
The survey will take about 3 minutes to complete and all results will remain confidential.
We encourage you to take the time to complete the survey as it will help to shape the future of the Mount Lofty Football Club.
Background
The Hills Football League, in conjunction with the SANFL, have prepared a report that summarises key findings, considerations and recommendations for Junior and Youth Football in the Adelaide Hills.
In summary, there has been healthy growth of players participating in Auskick, flat numbers in modified football (8-12yrs) and healthy growth in female participation in both groups. Therefore, on face value, 12yrs and under formats seem to be working.
However, at a Youth level, Under 14 to Under 18 male participation levels are dropping off substantially (-13.7%), and Hills dwellers are gravitating towards SANFL juniors in greater numbers. There is also a decrease in the number of teams being fielded across the junior groups in the Hills and Country leagues.
The Hills Football League has encouraged all Hills Football clubs to provide their recommendations to improve Junior and Youth football from 2022 onwards.
