Presidents Message.

17 May 2016 by Mark Leonard

Hello All Sharks
Great to see the teams settling down for their first week of games since Grading concluded. As mentioned last week, Grading can be a difficult time as scores comprehensively vary from very high to very low. In the most recent Shark Attack I said how my 3 boys in the first 4 rounds had collectively had 1,297 points kicked against them. This round I’m happy to report, in a new division, we had 2 wins and 1 narrow loss by 20 points. See Grading does work for most teams.
Our club policy is to get kids onto the park and being able to enjoy playing football with their teammates, whatever their level of talent, being part of a team and contributing is really what’s most important.
GO SHARKS!

First Aid Training
Jo James ran our First Aid Training over the weekend and we now have another 20 appropriately trained members of the Sharks community to respond to a First Aid incident should it be required.
The Sharks commitment to our duty of care to the boys & girls who take to the field every week is taken seriously and this is highlighted by the attendance of 20 of our trainers and parent helpers who have given their valuable time to become appropriately qualified First Aiders. This gives us a level of comfort that if something does go wrong, we have the right people with the right skills to help not just our players but also our parents and supporters should they suffer an injury or medical episode whilst at one of our venues.
Congratulations to all who attended and thanks to Jo.

Sharkwiz – Trivia Night! Only a few tickets sold! Come on Sharks, get on board!
Sharkwiz 2015 is fast approaching… Saturday 4th of June (folks, less than 3 weeks away) @ 7.00pm at Domeney Reserve. Whilst this is our primary fundraising event for the year, the Sharkwiz is an informal evening and a great opportunity to get to know the families of your teams, whilst having a bit of fun. We need each team to book at least one table of 10.
The Sharkwiz organising committee are seeking auction items for the Sharkwiz. A flyer explaining the request for any prizes/auction items that the Sharks Community are willing to donate is displayed on our webpage.
For ease of booking a new online system has been adopted so please refer to the Sharkwiz Invitation circulated to you via your team Managers or via the Team App.
For information please contact Michael Newton – Events Coordinator – on mobile 0421 049 904 or via email; events @sharksjfc.org.au

Helpers / Roles Each Week
On Sunday we had a surprise visit from the YJFL who have said they’ll pop in every 3-4 weeks. They were happy that most of the mum and dad helpers were in their bibs doing their role. One area of concern was that our Ground Manager was behind the goals and only holding his bib. Please all Team Managers, make sure your parent helpers know their roles and where to be located accordingly.

Youth Girls Program
Members of the committee have now met with the core-group of ladies who will move forward this year creating youth girls teams for 2017.
Our recruitment channels are now open. Calling all young ladies from 10-17 years of age that would like to play Aussie Rules next year, with the intent of fielding between two and four teams next year. Yes, it’s a big call but we have a club that’s mature enough to make this happen with the right people driving it. They and the YJFL are now on board. Become a part of history in joining our inaugural teams for 2017. We have the vision, have targeted the leaders and have the time to make this happen. To all young ladies – the opportunity is now there for you to be a part of it. Come on, give footy a go and be part of the biggest growth sport in Australia.

Coleman Renovations
As part of our Youth Girls future squad oval allocations for players, Coleman Reserve is to be redeveloped later this year with new change rooms. These will be unisex allowing for all age groups, female and male to enjoy enhanced playing facilities. More updates on these works later in the year.

Questionnaire
During the next four weeks or so, the committee will be forwarding a questionnaire for all the membership to answer. We please encourage you to complete this online format in helping our great club to consider your thoughts, areas of concerns and recommendations for us moving forward this year and into the future. Your support and answer is critical in helping us to become a better club and assisting your child/children get the best out of opportunities provided. We expect to hear your responses for greater improvement. At the end of the day, it’s about helping all children, at all levels, participate and enjoy playing football as part of the Greater Sharks Family.
We are after obtaining an improved playing environment whilst incorporating best practice in the welfare of all our young players. So please don’t be lazy, get involved and help us to help you, by completing the survey.

Senior Sharks Football
What a weekend it was in football for the Park Orchards Football Club. The only disappointment was the small crowds we have had up at the Shark Tank the last two home games. For those lucky enough to be there to watch 3 solid wins, it was a treat. Congratulations to all 3 teams who managed to take away wins – the Seniors by 85, Reserves by 55 and the u19’s by 62 points. They were all spirited wins and a much needed ones at that. We are starting to find our groove and the boys seem to be learning the game plan along with the coaches really picking apart players strengths. I’d love to encourage our community to look out for the signs on the roads indicating a home game or follow the fixture online here: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/comp_info.cgi?c=1-722-0-407722-0&pool=1&round=0&a=FIXTURE
The guys really need your support and value the difference we all make on the hill when we are out in force. Jump on to the fixture and lock away the home games to come up and enjoy our local footy. Things are really starting to build and we need you all – ‘ALL-IN’ as we push towards a strong mid-season.

Netball Teams
Last week we had 20 guys down at the netball (fish’n’chips on hand) cheering the girls on. The difference this makes for the girls having this sort of support is what real solid clubs are about. Reliable as ever, this is being reciprocated by the girls – coming out in numbers on a Saturday to watch the footy (2 weeks ago picnic in hand). Keep up the great work and thanks for being ALL-IN when it comes to supporting each other.
WHITE had a strong first quarter against Ringwood Red, but then struggled to combat the tall opposition goalers who barely missed a shot. Unfortunately the score blew out to 28 – 52. RED had a close game against Scoresby White but with no subs this week, the girls could not maintain a four-quarter effort. We went down 33 – 37. BLACK played a brilliant game against Ferntree Gully White, and were leading for nearly three quarters. Unfortunately the girls couldn’t hang on and ending up going down by two goals; 23 – 21

Summary

Looking forward to Round 6 for our Juniors. If at any stage you have any queries then please don’t hesitate to contact myself. Go Sharks!!!

Ritchie Appleby – President of the Sharks

Park Orchards North Ringwood Parish Junior Football Club

Phone: 0408 367 444