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VAFA Live Coverage – July 27
VAFA Media’s Round 13 live coverage features two William Buck Premier Men’s clashes pivotal to the race for fourth spot. This week’s SEN VAFA Match of the Day sees University Blues host Old
Brett Connell – VAFA CEO
What do the following have in common?
Dustin Martin (Richmond), Sam Reid (Sydney), Jack Redpath (Western Bulldogs), Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants), Levi Casboult (Carlton), David Zaharakis (Essendon), Eric Hipwood & Cedric Cox (Brisbane Lions) & Brodie Grundy (Collingwood).
They all have recently re-signed with their existing clubs and in many cases after much media hype as to which club they would end up at and inevitably for how much.
For me it ponders the question just how much was each player’s decision made around the culture of their club, that intangible “feeling” that people get, as opposed to the financial rewards.
I’m not silly enough to think the financial rewards were not an enticing incentive; however, all of the players named above could have received far greater financial rewards on the AFL open market, in my view.
So how do you measure club culture and where is the relevance to the VAFA community?
There is no magical formula and there will be other components to measuring club culture; however, in my view the following are great starting points and conversation starters for your club in the next 4-6 weeks.
Club culture is the reflection of the attitude and feeling that members have about their club. A successful club is dependent on the quality of the leadership of the club and the example leadership sets, and in turn members must know and share the same values of acceptable behaviour.
Appreciating the power of work volunteer club leaders and committees do, the above is not a criticism, it is merely a prompt to get clubs thinking, discussing and, most importantly, planning for next season and beyond.
VAFA footy is strong footy, umpired in a welcoming and inclusive environment where umpires, players, coaches, officials and spectators alike can enjoy everything that is great about our game.
So in my mind while the financial returns were a key consideration for the AFL players to re-sign, there is no doubt that the club’s culture is also a vital component of any decision.
In terms of your VAFA club how are you placed to retain your current list or attract new players, what is your club’s culture, what are you doing to maintain or improve it and above all else does your club have a plan?
We all are a part of this planning process and the VAFA Administration is here to assist and support as required, so please keep us in mind when you move into planning for next year and beyond.
On another note congratulations to St. Mary’s/Salesian (Division 1), Prahran Assumption (Division 2), UHS-VU (Division 3) and Aquinas (Division 4) who after wins last weekend in their respective semi-finals gain promotion to the higher section in 2018.
Of particular note is the St Mary’s/Salesian AFC club who will for the first time in their individual or collective histories compete in Premier C in the VAFA.
See you @ the footy.
VAFA Media’s Round 13 live coverage features two William Buck Premier Men’s clashes pivotal to the race for fourth spot. This week’s SEN VAFA Match of the Day sees University Blues host Old
Venues for the 2024 VAFA Finals Series have been announced, highlighted by four state league grounds. 131 finals matches across 32 divisions will be played over a seven week period,
A couple of pivotal matches in the finals and relegation races headline Round 13 of VAFA William Buck Premier Men’s. Collegians & Old Xaverians enter the weekend locked together at