CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER REPORT - Shaun Connell Forever and a day…2020 will always be remembered as the season ended Commission by Covid-19. On March 6, AFLSE Region General Manager John Anderson retired after a distinguished career in the sporting industry and three years with AFL It has been an extraordinary year, one which has impacted us all in one South East. way or another, as the global pandemic - Covid-19 – took a grip on the world, challenging everyone with social and economic impacts that will be John was largely responsible for the financial turn-around of the leagues felt for some time to come. that we administer, particularly the FDJFL and MPNFL. The pandemic has seen our clubs and stakeholders across the community Following John’s departure, AFL Victoria restructured the region and develop resilience which will see us operate differently but make our sports appointed Richard Black as the new Head of South East Victoria, primarily stronger over the coming years. responsible for overseeing the governance of AFLSE and AFL Gippsland. The year started with such promise, with increased team registrations across all of our member leagues.
On March 29, AFLSE Chair Roger Hampson advised AFL Victoria that he was standing-down due to increased work commitments at Essendon Grammar due to Covid. Roger held the position of Regional Commission The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) was on track Chair for four years and we thank him for his contribution to the AFLSE to be fully subscribed across both football and netball, while South Eastern region. Women Football (SEWF) welcomed the admission of Casey Thunder and Mt Eliza. Like many businesses, the ongoing uncertainty created by Covid-19 presented some real challenges for the region, particularly around the And our junior competitions – Frankston and District Junior Football financial stability of the clubs. League (FDJFL), South East Juniors (SEJ) and Top-Age competitions received a record number of registrations totalling 470 teams. As a result, representation on the Commission would now be filled by AFL and AFL Victoria Executive, whose primary role was to be responsible for It was March 16 when AFL South East (AFLSE) offices closed and AFLSE the region’s financial and compliance matters. and AFL Victoria staff were requested to work from home. Local representation would be maintained through the establishment of the By March 27 staff were stood down. AFLSE Advisory. The Advisory would represent the clubs and leagues in key local and regional strategy in growing football and netball across the Eventually the Federal Government’s Job Keeper payments offered some region. relief for staff, although they would all prefer to be working. Throughout 2021, AFL Victoria will continue to work with AFLSE on the During this period we lost two valued staff members in Carl Fletcher and review of Governance in the Region with the Commission assisting in an Nicole Edney, who were fortunate enough to secure full-time employment AFL Victoria review of governance in Melbourne’s Eastern corridor. during the pandemic. We thank both Carl and Nicole for their time with AFLSE and wish them well in their future endeavours. Umpiring In January 2020 AFLSE appointed Darren Holt as the Regional Director AFLSE staff have been incredibly loyal and patient during Covid with many of Umpiring, replacing Carl Fletcher who was redeployed as Junior of them going over and above - working way beyond their allocated Job Operations Manager. Keeper hours. Darren was well known in the region through his extensive involvement I’m very proud to be leading a team of such dedicated people, who are with the Southern Umpires Association (SUA), as well as contributing in the invested and passionate about football and netball in this region. Yarra Ranges, VFL and AFL Umpiring. Although it has been an incredibly challenging time navigating through Covid and it impacts on the 2020 season, it was pleasing to see a high level of cooperation and understanding by the clubs and respective local governments. AFLSE thank all clubs within the region for their flexible approach and willingness to work together with the league.
AFLSE and SUA agreed to a revised MOU which secured the ongoing support and management across the region until the end of 2022. We appreciate the cooperation of the wider AFLSE/SUA Umpiring group for their support during the height of the pandemic. Their willingness to support an industry-wide approach to get a season underway - including a reduction in payments - was welcomed by all clubs. We look forward to continuing to support and foster the development and growth of umpiring across the South East.
PAGE 04 | AFL SOUTH EAST ANNUAL REPORT 2020
