CHAIR’S REPORT

GILBERT LORQUET

In 2021, it has been an absolute honour to begin my tenure as the Chair of Football NSW. It is a position that I have taken on wholeheartedly, and one in which I will do my best to serve the entire Football NSW family.

I would like to pay tribute to Anter Isaac for over eight years of service to the Football NSW Board, most recently as the Chair since 2016. Over the coming years, I will endeavour to continue building on Anter’s legacy, while also bringing a fresh approach and a new strategic direction to Football NSW.

Since beginning in the role, I have set out to get to know members of the wider football community as well as the dedicated team of Football NSW staff. The passion for our sport is something we all share, and I am looking forward to working more closely with many of you over the coming years.

2021 was another tough year for our community as COVID-19 once again caused major disruptions to the winter season, which unfortunately led to the cancellation of competitions across NSW.

Despite another challenging season, the Football community has once again showed its strengths and continues to persevere. I have been overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication of our volunteers, clubs and Associations, who have kept community football alive through further lockdowns and restrictions, and helped ensure football could return as early as possible.

The Football NSW Board was in full support of providing relief to clubs and associations following the cancellation of the 2021 winter season, with $1.5 million returned via a discount in capitation fees.

Times like these have illustrated just how important it is for football, as a sport, to act on a united front. In line with Football Australia’s ‘One Football’ concept, it is together that football has forged ahead as NSW and Australia’s largest participation sport. Similarly, it is only together that we can continue to overcome challenges and prosper for generations to come.

Heading into 2022, one of my major priorities will be exploring ways for Football NSW to engage more with the wider footballing community, spanning Associations, clubs, players and nonplaying participants. It is imperative that our Board, through the Football NSW team of staff, continually look strategically at how we can operate more effectively and, ultimately, deliver a better service for our members. Collaboration will play a vital role in this process, and I look forward to hearing firsthand experiences, understanding existing service gaps, and gaining valuable insights from all areas of our game.

Utilising community feedback and dialogue, it is my goal for the Football NSW Board to develop a five-year strategy which outlines major priorities and projects, objectives, and desired outcomes for the coming years. These will also align to Football NSW’s longterm targets around football remaining the largest participation sport in NSW, becoming the largest female participation sport in NSW, as well as working towards gender parity in participation.

As we look ahead, there is a great deal to be excited about, headlined of course by the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The growth of women’s football over the past decade has truly been phenomenal and the World Cup provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire young girls across NSW and Australia.

Ahead of the Women’s World Cup, we also have the opportunity to secure Legacy 2023 funding in order to ensure our clubs and members have the capacity and capabilities to effectively meet the playing needs of future generations. Football NSW and Football Australia will continue discussions with the NSW Government and Office of Sport, with the goal of an initial Legacy funding rollout in 2022.

In embracing the opportunities and challenges on the horizon, I am delighted to be Chair of a Board filled with such a strong mix of skills and experience. In 2021, Deborah Chapman and Brett Mitchell joined as Football NSW Board Members, providing crucial experience in the financial, tax and accounting space. I am confident we have a Board who can lead Football NSW towards further growth and prosperity.

I want to acknowledge the outstanding team of Football NSW staff who have continued to deliver results despite the ever-changing COVID-19 environment. I hope 2022 brings with it a more permanent return to Valentine Sports Park and I am excited at the prospect of what Stuart and his team can achieve over the coming years.

To finish, I want to pay tribute to every volunteer, coach, referee, administrator, and of course the players, who keep our sport alive on a weekly basis. It is only through your tireless efforts and commitment, that football remains in such a strong position despite two years of interruptions. Thank you for your ongoing contributions to football and here is hoping we can all enjoy a successful year of football in 2022.