Editorial: VAFA finals football operations

Sam Confait – General Manager – Football Operations

We are finals bound in the men’s competition so it’s an ideal opportunity to show transparency and provide the VAFA community with an insight of what lies ahead this September from an operations perspective.

For the last two months of the season, we are regularly inundated with calls and emails asking what time are we playing? Which venue? We are planning our pre-season trip, I am going overseas, my son has his 21^st birthday so we must know what day! We understand, and we would love to have all the answers at the time of the enquiry, but it simply isn’t possible.

In an ideal world, each participating club travels no more than 5km, playing on immaculate turf and clubs know all the details in July. Reality is, VAFA Football Operations planning commences in April liaising with VFL Clubs and Councils to ensure we provide the best venues available working under the constraints of availability, weather conditions, AFL Clubs, VFL Clubs, cricket preparation and opposing competitions with over 135 finals matches to schedule.

In 2018, we are fortunate to have secured specific dates at VFL venues Box Hill City Oval, Coburg City Oval, Bill Lawry Oval, Burbank Oval and Trevor Barker Oval. We wish to extend a great thank you to all involved; in particular, David Cannizzo, Daniel Napoli, Dennis McNiece, Jason Reddick, Sebastian Spagnuolo and their respective councils.

This weekend, Trevor Barker Oval is unavailable with VFL and TAC Cup matches. All other VFL venues are available for VAFA use on Sunday only which is why Divisional, U19 Premier semi-finals and Thirds grand finals are scheduled accordingly.

The Hampton & Ormond local derby will clash at the newly renovated Elsternwick Park where extra car parking will be available for $5.00 on Elsternwick Park Oval 2, entry via the St Kilda Street Car Park. Access to the venue will be available at the Glenhuntly Road end as well as the St Kilda Street Car Park entry. The VAFA welcomes both clubs and their supporters to the official after-match upstairs in the new function room to cap off what should be two great contests.

Glen Eira & Hawthorn AFC meet again in September, this time at Whitefriars College on Saturday. Parade College hosts North Brunswick & Parkside on Saturday and Westbourne Grammarians & Aquinas Sunday, whilst St Francis Xavier and South Melbourne Districts head to Waverley Oval on Sunday. Thank you to Old Paradians, De La Salle and Whitefriars for allowing the VAFA to host finals at your excellent venues.

In what was the most competitive U19 Premier competition we have seen in years despite only seven teams competing, which the VAFA will aim to resolve for 2019, both semi-finals are scheduled for Elsternwick Park. Oakleigh is the unlucky traveller at a venue hosting all Northern suburb teams in Therry Penola and West Brunswick; however, the quality venue in Bill Lawry Oval will be worth the trip as we wait in anticipation to see who progresses. We hope all Division 2 teams UHS-VU, Old Paradians, Whitefriars and Yarra Valley are pleased to play on VFL venues Box Hill City Oval and Coburg City Oval. In the first year of five sections of Thirds, four premierships will be decided on Sunday and whilst the timing of 9:20am matches isn’t ideal, we believe quality of venues cannot be disputed.

As a quick note to all VAFA supporters; firstly, the VAFA is a non-profit organisation and all admission fees contribute to operating the finals series and ensuring VAFA club affiliation fees remain low. Secondly, the VAFA love dogs, but just not at VAFA finals venues due to public liability reasons. We understand your four-legged friend wouldn’t hurt a fly; however, we are obligated to reduce the risk and ensure all patrons feel safe.

The weather forecast looks good, so get your dose of VAFA Finals Footy!!!

Adult fee (full entry fee): ($10.00)

– 18 years of age and over

Concession fee: ($5.00)

–     Pensioner Concession Card

–     Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

–     Full-time student with a current Student Card

Free entry:

–       Children UNDER the age of 12 years old

Ground parking (where available): ($5)

Amateur Footballer Record: ($3)