Outer East Football Netball Strategic Plan 2024-2027 by Outer_East_Football_Netball

STRATEGIC PLAN 2024 - 2027

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) facilitate competitions across the lands of the Bunurong, Taungurung and Wurundjeri People. We honour their Elders past and present, whose knowledge and wisdom enabled the continuation of their rich cultural heritage and spiritual connection to the land over thousands of years. We proudly celebrate the significant contribution to the games of football and netball that first nations people have given to the Outer East region.

Outer East Football Netball Competitions Ltd has experienced a great deal of structural change over the past 3-4 years, including the tough years of COVID-19. We have witnessed continual growth in our junior boys and girls and as well as our women's competitions, across both football & netball. The pleasing thing from the boards point of view we have 50% participation of both females and males within our competition structure We are committed to continuing to grow our sports within our region, having supported each club and teams during these challenging times. Community sport is the forefront of developing our youth this is our obligation to our communities and we are focused on the support and development of our clubs. We continue to witness regular change within our competition with structures across our region having to change to cater for the demands of our clubs.

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

We acknowledge and recognise the impact on clubs, volunteers, players coaches, and our umpires with continual change. The board has reviewed all feedback provided by all member clubs our recent Competition Structure Review project was clear, our clubs and communities request stability. Through focusing on stability, we intend to strengthen the competition and allow traditional rivalries to be rekindled and new rivalries to be established. The board is committed and focused on this process of sustainability of our clubs and community events. The development of this exciting new Regional Strategic Plan stabilises our pathway forward and provides exciting plans for the future of community sport in the Outer East region.

Tony ‘Knobby’ Mitchell Chair Outer East Football Netball Competitions Ltd

This Strategic Plan has been a lengthy process to develop, following input from all key stakeholders within our football/netball communities, it is with a shared perspective and collective approach that we look forward to achieving all that we have set out to do, in collaboration with our communities. While we all have unique nuances specific to our clubs and our communities, we have a shared mission and vision, based upon collective values and key strategic objectives which will drive terrific outcomes and enable our communities to not only survive, but thrive. We will celebrate our successes by telling positive stories of our clubs, volunteers, players coaches’ people, teams, and competitions in a way that builds an unbreakable sense of belonging between our clubs, people and communities of the Outer East Football Netball Competitions. We all need to work together to strengthen our relationships with each other, battles on the field or court, but strong partners off. The Outer East Football Netball Board and Management thank all affiliated members of our community who have contributed to this plan, and we look forward to taking this journey with you all. Our commitment to you is we will make high quality and best for competition decisions consistent with our values, demonstrate integrity in our decision making and management that support the achievement of our mission, vision and strategic objectives.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT OEFN will continue to proactively support the LGBTQIA+ community and commit to embracing diversity, inclusion, acceptance and equal opportunities for all genders and sexualities. OEFN is committed to promoting and protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, racism, neglect and maltreatment. Every person, at every level of involvement in OEFN has the responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play, individually and collectively, in ensuring the safety of all children and young people and that it is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make. OEFN has zero tolerance for child abuse and racism and strives to empower children and young people through listening to their concerns and valuing their contributions, especially enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to express their culture and enjoy cultural rights.

OURMISSION Connecting, developing and growing our communities, through the games of Australian Rules Football and Netball.

OUR VISION Our clubs and our people sit at the heart of what we do and the decisions we make. Ensuring our competitions are accessible, inclusive and enjoyable, Outer East Football Netball will be highly valued in our community. We will strive to be innovative leaders who will collaborate to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clubs.

OURVALUES

RESPECT

INCLUSION

COMMUNITY

Through our behaviors and actions, we will achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for our clubs and competitions.

We demonstrate equality in a welcoming environment for everyone of all abilities by providing support and sufficient access to opportunities and resources.

Embrace, collaborate and celebrate with our communities to achieve the best overall experience for everyone.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUSTAINABILITY

LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

Ensuring the longterm sustainability of our clubs and their volunteers and their ongoing participation in OEFN competitions is our strategic priority.

We will make high quality decisions consistent with our values and integrity that support the achievement of our mission, vision and strategic objectives.

COMPETITIONS

GROWTH

Provide a wellmanaged, safe and inclusive environment for all participants in our communities.

Continue to pursue growth opportunities across our competitions and business to remain progressive and meet the needs of our communities.

Sustainability Ensuring the long-term sustainability of our clubs and their volunteers and their ongoing participation in the OEFN competitions is our strategic priority. Clubs and Volunteers We will proactively support clubs to recruit, retain and empower the next generation of volunteers through the provision of training support Key actions: Administration, education and training to assist with the recruitment and retention of volunteers Provide networking connections between clubs to share knowledge and procedures Identify and implement operational efficiencies that will assist in reducing volunteer workload Financial sustainability Through sound management we will actively seek the best financial resources and models to ensure sustainability of the competitions and clubs. Key actions: Support and assistance with grants and funding Invest back in our competition financially Annual profitability

Sustainability Integrity We will be transparent and consultative in our decision making and enact our governance responsibilities fairly and consistently. Key actions: Adherence to compliance requirements (CCSP, By-laws etc) Continue to review and improve the consistency of our tribunal, investigations and appeals Annually review policies and guidelines to minimise risk across our business Facilities In partnership with our LGA's and governing bodies, we will create a co-ordinated approach to reviewing our existing sporting, training and social facilities, identifying gaps and implementing the facility strategy that will meet the OEFN’s future needs. Key actions: Identify gaps in our current club facilities across the region Implement strategies to improve existing facilities across the region Investigate investment in facilities in partnership with clubs, governing bodies & LGA's to maximise opportunities in the region Commercial To build a sustainable framework to attract and retain mutually beneficial commercial partnerships that ensure the long-term viability of all clubs and communities. Key actions: Build on commercial partnerships to increase their long-term value Identify new commercial opportunities Implement a strategy to increase commercial investment in our competitions

Leadership & Governance We will make high quality decisions consistent with our values and integrity that support the achievement of our mission, vision and strategic objectives. Board Recruiting, empowering and retaining the best people that will provide the valuable skillsets required for the long-term governance of our competitions. Key actions: Build greater connections to clubs through more visibility Board induction program Board skills matrix Transparency in communications and decision making Board and Administration alignment Administration We will deliver great outcomes by investing in and supporting our people with the resources required to service our communities. Key actions: Additional resources - Personnel (Media/Commercial, Operations) Organisational structure, role clarity, position descriptions and cross role knowledge Education and Professional development Addition of advisory groups to assist key competition administrators

Leadership & Governance Governance Provide direction and support to our clubs to ensure compliance with current policies which safeguard our clubs and competitions now and into the future. Key actions: Gap analysis of club governance requirements to build the capacity of our clubs Prudent management of constitutional adherence Child Safety and Fair Access education and training Support program for new club executive roles Relationships Maintain strong relationships with key strategic partners to assist in all areas of future growth. Key actions: Clubs and their communities Supporting LGA's AFL Victoria Netball Victoria Commercial Partners Media partners

Leadership & Governance Women and Girls We will provide education and equal access to opportunities in all aspects of our competitions. Key actions: The development of our first Female Football strategy Investment in female coaching Support for females in leadership and Club Administration Continuing to pursue Gender equality in our Board representation Ensuring Outer East Football Netball as a workplace promotes gender equality and practices respectful relationships Coaching Through inspiring and educating all coaches we will provide participants with lifelong positive experiences. Key actions: Development Workshops (Continuation of She Can Coach) (AFL Victoria - Netball Victoria programs) Stringent compliance with rules and regulations Transition of Coaches across the various levels. (Auskick/Net Set Go to Junior, Junior to Senior)

Our Competitions Provide a well-managed, safe and inclusive environment for all participants in our communities. Umpires Source the best quality umpires, provide positive training and matchday experiences and continue to support and invest in current umpires through pathways and accreditations. Key actions: Engage recently retired players to begin an umpiring journey Collaborate with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to utilise their programs to grow umpiring numbers Explore alternative industry programs to support umpires in achieving positive matchday experiences. (White Cards, Silent Rounds etc) Education and training for existing match day club officials' roles. (Court Supervisors, Team Managers, Umpire Escorts, etc) Junior Football Support, assist and continue to recognise the importance of all participation and pathways within Junior Football competitions. Key actions: Increase promotions of Junior Football stories and achievements Work with AFL Victoria to maximise opportunities to increase the participation of the game in our region Transition pathways. (Auskick to Junior clubs) Explore variations to competition regulations with the aim of maximising participation across all clubs. (Playing numbers, times etc)

Our Competitons Men’s Football Continue to provide quality competitions where participation is maximised across all our communities. Key actions: Transition pathways. (Junior to Senior Clubs) Explore variations to competition regulations with the aim of maximising participation across all clubs. (Playing numbers, times etc) Monitor and review equalisation policies to ensure the best fit for our clubs as a whole Women’s Football Continue to maximise participation whilst ensuring opportunities for all levels of abilities to participate. Key actions Transition pathways. (Junior to Senior Clubs) Align rules and regulations to the Women and Girls' strategy Increase promotion of Women's Football stories and achievements Junior Netball Support, assist and expand junior competition offerings while recognising the importance of all participation and pathways within the Junior Netball competitions. Key actions: Increase promotions of Junior Netball stories and achievements Each club fields a 17&U team alongside their Open teams Explore viability of Junior Netball being played with Junior Football within Outer East Football Netball Juniors Support, assist and expand junior competition offerings while recognising the importance of all participation and pathways within the Junior Netball competitions

Our Competitions Open Netball Continue to provide quality competitions where participation is maximised across all our communities. Key actions: Continue to grow promotions of Open Netball stories and achievements Monitor and review equalisation policies to ensure the best fit for our clubs Transition pathways. (Junior to Senior Clubs) Representative teams Deliver a structured, high-quality program for all participants in our representative pathways. Key actions: Quality resources to implement programs Provide clear talent identification pathways for Football and Netball Collaborate with talent pathway clubs to assist with a smooth transition for participants

Growth Continue to pursue growth opportunities across our competitions and business to remain progressive and meet the needs of our communities. Innovation Explore opportunities to further develop and benefit our clubs and competitions. Key actions: Collaborate with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to maximise participation through available programs Identify alternative revenue sources that will supplement existing income Build our capacity to be well positioned to apply for a Victorian Netball League license in 2028 Resources Utilise and expand upon effective programs and initiatives to support our clubs and communities and continue to remain progressive in our approach to resource development. Key actions: Explore alternative methods of club support and assistance Invest in human resources to improve the administrative capacity and in turn provide further support to clubs and communities Build our capacity to be well positioned to cater for emerging opportunities across our business

Growth Media To increase our media footprint across all current platforms and explore further opportunities in this area. Key actions: Appointment of media co-ordinator Establishment of roles and responsibilities. Improve standard, regularity and quality of our media offerings across all platforms Education & Training Continue to seek industry leading education, training and tools across all aspects of our business to benefit our clubs and communities. Key actions: Investigate and develop alternative education and training tools that helps build the capacity of our volunteers and clubs In collaboration with other sporting organisations we will explore more efficient ways to plan and deliver improved education and training outcomes for our clubs and communities

OUTER EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL 95 COLCHESTER ROAD, KILSYTH, 3137, VIC PH: 9735 5448 E: ADMIN@OUTEREASTFN.COM.AU