PRESIDENT’S FOREWARD SEASON 2004
Mr. Paul Archer As I reflect back on season 2004 I think it is best described as having a mixture of the good and the bad. I will start with the bad. The past season was one in which the conduct of spectators and some players in our great game sunk to a new low. In fact we had three active members assaulted during matches in a sixweek period late in the season. This conduct lead to a very passionate and lengthy debate at our General Meeting on 19th August where ultimately a motion was passed unanimously by members to threaten to withdraw the services of referees for final matches unless adequate security measures were undertaken by the Junior League. Further those discussions are undertaken during the off season for a new Code of Conduct document to be implemented. After much deliberation the Junior League agreed with our requests. On behalf of all members I wish to thank the Junior League for their assistance and also the support of Head Body and the District Club was appreciated. It should be recorded that the Junior League has updated the districts Code of Conduct policy for 2005 and hopefully this will be of assistance to all participants in junior football within our district. There is no doubt that the type of misconduct seen in our district is not refined to within our boundaries but a general community problem. I am proud that our members stood up for themselves and hopefully this Association’s pro-active stance will be of assistance to other districts. During the past year a noticeable trend was appearing were newer members seemed to be in my view over critical of more established members. I would certainly hope that this type of attitude is not on going. Here at Canterbury we have a great tradition of friendship between members. I ask the newer members to reflect on their attitude and consider the length of service of the other members who they are keen to criticise. I welcome constructive criticism but do not appreciate backstabbing. The Association was dealt a double blow towards the end of the months of September and October with the death of two Life Members. Firstly, the elder statesman of our Association Leo Randle a former President passed away and then a month latter Stan Williams. Leo joined the Association in 1943, was President from 1957 until 1962 and until recently still regularly attended our
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