Opinion
By Paul Matheson, SFNL President
We welcome the government announcement to compensate clubs for irrecoverable costs greater than $2000 associated with the cancellation or postponement of sporting events. I am hopeful our clubs can access these funds. Usually these initiatives are put together by bureaucrats who do not understand community sport or the impost on volunteers applying for them. There will be long term effects of extended lockdowns and clubs provide a proven outlet to assist individuals and families.
The last 18 months have been financially difficult not just for our member clubs but also the league. We rely on the final series for the majority of our income and unlike other areas we do not get allocated funding for participant numbers by AFL Victoria, or anything from Netball Victoria.
The overall support from the governing authorities has been underwhelming to say the least, I don’t think we have once been asked how are we are going? That being said, luckily we now have an enthusiastic and competent AFL Vic participation co-ordinator who has made a positive impact in local schools.
Obviously we had no competition last year and we have been staunch in not following the lead of AFL Vic Regional Administration Centre’s where they rely on selling merchandise (affecting local businesses), running council facilities for income, but have high wages and expenses.
Our overall league aim is to reduce the cost to our clubs and strain on volunteers, but to continue to support club infrastructure improvements. We have guaranteed a $50,000 commitment to the Mildura Sports Precinct outdoor netball courts.
Traditionally we have been mindful to not approach local business sponsors where they have existing club agreements.
The league lost its major sponsor (Ramsey Health) but was lucky enough for McDonalds and G1 Transport to come on board at a reduced amount. What they have provided individual clubs has been sensational, and the overall 2021 commitment has been close to $100,000.
We are hopeful that the success of the season so far has enabled clubs to gather a healthy bank balance to cover their expenses. More pleasing is the hearsay many senior footballers are willing to play for the love of the game for the remaining of the season if it can be facilitated.
None of us know what Covid restrictions we will face over the next month or so, but if we cannot move back to some community normality, I envisage the whole landscape of sport in our region will dramatically change.
