After two rounds of the season completed, I have been surprised by the number of teams who have played unregistered players.
Premiership points have been removed from teams who won their game with an unregistered player, and all teams have been issued with a fine.
The administration of the NFL every week checks all team sheets to ensure the integrity of all competitions is operating at the highest level.
I urge all clubs to contact the NFL office if you are unsure about the registration status of a player, and make sure that the player is registered to play rather than risk losing points and a fine.
Many volunteers work tirelessly for the good of every club, if someone allows an unregistered player to take to the field, this undoes all of their good work.
UNDER-9 DEMONSTRATION DAY
Last Sunday, Barling Park was a hive of activity as players, officials and parents of 24 teams descended to the new NFL home base to kick start the U/9 season.
These were the first games played under the new modified conditions of smaller ovals, less players and zones. The weather was ideal as hundreds of boys and girls participated in a very successful day.
The measure of success was determined by the positive feedback from many people who were experiencing this new version for the first time.
This Sunday another 26 teams will head to Barling Park for their turn to officially start their season. Thank you to all club officials who assisted to make the day a very successful one.
NETBALL
The Northern Netball League (NNL) continues to grow with 12 new teams entering this season to take our total to 56 teams, played across 7 sections. Whilst the growth is fantastic, it does bring challenges with facilities.
We are pleased to have secured another venue to host our games at Leisure City in Epping. Craig and Samantha Barnes have welcomed the NNL with open arms to their newly renovated facility.
The NNL looks forward a long and successful partnership with Leisure City as we continue to grow netball with the region.
The NFL constitution was updated earlier in the year to accommodate for stand-alone netball clubs to affiliate.
The intent of this change was to cater for well established netball clubs to field teams in our competitions.
We have seen some interest from clubs in other competitions and just recently the NFL board approved St Martin’s to become our very first netball affiliated club. I would like to welcome president Julie Simons and all of her members to the NNL and I wish them well in their first season.
ANZAC Day
It would be remise of me not to mention ANZAC Day and the importance this day holds for the entire community.
There are two games being played on ANZAC Day this year: Heidelberg v Northcote Park and Epping v Mernda. Congratulations to the four clubs involved in what I am sure will be a successful day.
Finally, it is important that the NFL community remembers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and I encourage all NFL clubs over the weekend to conduct a minute silence prior to every senior and junior game.
See you at the footy.
Peter McDougall
Chief Executive Officer
