Editorial: Rep footy returns & community football’s MND Round

Brett Connell – VAFA CEO

The VAFA began its representative program last weekend in ominous fashion and while all of our clubs took a break to reload for the second half of the season, representative coaches, players, umpires and officials enjoyed two strong showings at Elsternwick Park.

The VAFA is very proud of its representative history and prides itself on its performances on the representative stage and to this end all coaches, players, umpires and officials can be justifiably proud of their efforts.

Our U19 team provides for our best talent at that level, and gives them the ability to compete against the best U19 players from AFL Victoria Country teams. The opportunity for all players on the day to step aside from open age football and compete against their peers, allows for all of the players to remember just how talented they all really are.

The success of the VAFA women’s program continues to exceed expectations, with another excellent performance against an AFL Goldfields unit that never gave up all day. The quality of the VAFA women’s representative team on the day and squad in the lead up is testament to the standard of our overall competition and 3000 registered players.

What was pleasing was the representation of 41 of our 71 clubs in the two teams that represented the VAFA last Saturday as our aim is always to be as truly representative of our total competition as we possibly can.

On July 6 (B-D4 v Perth FL-formerly WAAFL) and July 13 (Senior Men’s v AFL Victoria Country Senior Men’s) we will round out our program with squads being formed and publicised as we go to print. Dave Murray (B-D4) and Stuey Powell (Senior Men) will coach the respective teams in search of back to back wins after excellent performances in 2018.

The VAFA would also like to thank and acknowledge coaches Dave Kinsella (U19) and Tom Stafford (Senior Women), their coaching teams and support staff, for the time, effort and energy in which they approached their roles.

The VAFA is also very proud of all of our umpires who represented us at the weekend – congratulations to: Campbell Hyams & Matteo Barba (F), Vo Schofield & Doug Buckeridge (B), Noah Myers (G) – U19 and Adrian Damen (F), Tom McInerney (B) and Bridget Saftenberger (G) – Women’s. The opportunity to provide pathway opportunities to our best young aspiring umpiring talent is also a point of difference the VAFA offers it umpiring fraternity.

Congratulations are extended to the following award winners from last Saturday’s games:

U19 BOG (Umpires): Anthony Larkey (VAFA – Old Trinity)

U19 AFL Victoria Country Best VAFA Player: Hamish Dick (Old Brighton)

Spirit of Big V Award: Bailey Wraith (Old Carey)

Women’s BOG (Umpires): Teresa Zampaglione (Fitzroy-ACU)

Women’s AFL Goldfields Best VAFA Player: Vanessa Murphy (VAFA – Old Trinity)

Spirit of Big V Award: Stephanie Lawrence (St Mary’s Salesian)

This weekend we celebrate AFL Victoria Community Footy Fight MND Round. “The Beast” is nervous and as we all rally behind Neale Daniher, the Fight MND crew and his army of supporters please remember to dig deep and donate if you get the opportunity across the VAFA this weekend. We also acknowledge the VAFA clubs who consciously support the Fight MND cause themselves in games and charity events which have taken place in the last month.

See you at the footy (with your beanie on).