President Update - VAFA Promotion and Relegation
Hi all,
In this article we wanted to take some time to communicate our football department plans for 2022. Football Director Jeff Hooper has below provided a detailed update as we move forward to next season. I encourage you all to read it.
In some big news, this week, the VAFA have effectively announced the 2021 season would NOT have any relegation and promotion provisions. It has concluded the 2021 season has been sufficiently compromised by COVID interruption and curtailment. This decision will apply to ALL VAFA competitions, Men, Womens and Unders.
The OTGAFC supports this decision. In concert with several other VAFA clubs we argued it was our considered position all competitions had been sufficiently compromised in 2021.
Accordingly, we are now preparing for 2022 with all teams remaining in the same competitions as 2021, this includes both Mens and Womens Premier League teams. Other nuisances for other 2022 team entries will evolve over the coming months.
As stated elsewhere in this Newsletter, considerable work is going into preparations for 2022. We will no doubt have much more to announce as this work develops.
Neil Bowman
President - OTGAFC
Football Director Update - 2022 Football Department
Over the period from November 2019 to the close of season 2022, as a footy department, we’ve learnt a lot. Lived experience can’t be learnt but can be built upon with other lived experiences, combined with the input of many different dimensions and experiences to ensure that aggressive improvement with fun and wellness is the result. That is the firm expectation of the OTGAFC Footy Department for season 2022.
Before setting the direction for 2022, we want to thank the brilliant work done by Dean Peters, Stephen Maus and James Francis who have retired from their head coaching roles and Andrew White as the women’s senior assistant. Great Old Trinity men who will continue to influence as mentors around the club.
At the head of our approach for 2022, Paul Griffiths has been reappointed Director of Coaching to ensure we build on the Old Trinity way of living our footy. Paul’s appointment ensures that the game style, method and approach for next season has a base and will be recognisable. Paul intends to drive all coaches to implement systems of football education that presents as clear and relatable, to our whole club playing list. The intent is to create and nurture a growth mindset environment that features an “across the club” coaching style that focuses on positive reinforcement, consistent messaging and constant feedback. Our footy systems need to stand up in finals football, be uniform across all teams and identifiable to players, members and supporters. It may or may not all happen in 2022 but it will build on the staccato start made in 2021 and set us up for the seasons beyond.
2022 is an opportunity to recalibrate our coaching team with all coaching jobs declared vacant and coaching advertisements placed in the relevant coaching digital platforms on AFLVic and VAFA (links below). We are encouraging all 2021 coaches to apply for positions and the final mix will be determined around Melbourne Cup week to ensure we go through a thorough process to get the most optimal outcome. We already have expressions of interest that will remain confidential. That interest is encouraging us that the best approach is to go through a detailed and formal process.
The VAFA's announcement around relegation and promotion provides further assurance for coaching appointments and an opportunity to develop our footy plan against the league-best competitors.
Men’s team growth is a possibility in 2022 as the under 23 bubble moves into open age and the under 19 ageing continues it’s successful 2021 model. Participation remains at the forefront of our footy objectives and player retention a key performance indicator. We want every player that wants a game to have a game and that will continue in 2022. Concurrently, we expect to build on the player numbers strength in the men’s senior divisions last season to provide a competitive and supportive environment for places across all open age groups.
We expect to continue to grow our women’s player numbers with an emphasis on creating a supportive, caring, fun environment that provides competitive capabilities and personal development opportunities for both Premier and Premier Reserve players coached as a combined cohort.
We are working to provide leadership opportunities beyond football with cross-referencing of leadership with wellness initiatives undertaken in 2022 with Layne, Tess and Nick.
Finally, we have appointed Jack Borland as General Manager Football Operations. Jack will take responsibility for all non-coaching matters within the club and will work closely with Paul and the Footy members on the Board to deliver a League-best offering that ensures Team Managers and volunteer staff get directed and supported effectively. Jack’s details are oldtrinityfc.footballoperations@gmail.com phone 0419544015. Please welcome him to the club and introduce yourself to him, especially if you can put your hand up to help!
2022 – I’m Excited! Go T’s!
Hoops.
Vice President and Senior Football Director - OTGAFC
Women Coaching Vacancies: https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/OTGAFC-Coaching-Senior-Womens.pdf
Men Coaching Vacancies: https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Old-Trinity-Football-Club-Mens-Coaches.pdf