Club Development Report

Football Operations

Men’s Premier Sections Football Advisory Group

Members: Mark Hibbins (Collegians), Peter Simpson (Old Scotch), Neil Bowman (Old Trinity), Sharon Torney (Fitzroy), Brett Carson (Old Haileybury), Neil Jenkins (Parkdale Vultures), Sean Crisp (Hampton Rovers), Richard Simon (Ormond), Peter Snyder (Old Mentonians), Sam Confait (VAFA) and Matt Collister (VAFA) Projects: Strengthening the process and transparency around the enforcement of Amateur Status; Concussion Management in the VAFA.

Men’s Divisional Football Advisory Group

Members: Andrew Sutherland (La Trobe University), Brendan Lashbrook (Canterbury), Chris Brown (Eley Park), Damian Hannam (Old Paradians), Ivan Delac (Glen Eira), Nick Paton (Yarra OG), Peter Ciardulli (Whitefriars), Rod Moran (Therry Penola), Trevor Ludeman (Brunswick FC), Warren Fall (MHSOB), Terry McEvoy (VAFA Board) and Sean Walker (VAFA). Projects: Addressing issues relating to volunteer shortfalls in VAFA Men’s Divisional football; improving the VAFA Men’s Divisional football umpire feedback process and umpire observer schedule; reviewing the Men’s Divisional football section structure.

Under 19 Football Advisory Group

Members: David Elam (Old Melburnians), Geoff Carr (Peninsula), Peter McKenzie (Mazenod), Jeremy Dickson (Old Carey), Lachlan McKinnon (MHSOB), Con Terzoglou (Williamstown CYMS), Josh Galbraith (De La Salle) and Matt Collister (VAFA). Projects: Reviewing and determining the Under 19 football age eligibility criteria; reviewing the 2021 VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Footy Festival; creating an off -season checklist/ health check for clubs with Under 19 teams.

VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Footy Festival

The VAFA hosted all fi ve Under 19 Premier men’s matches at Elsternwick Park and Holmes/Todd Oval as part of the inaugural VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Footy Festival. An initiative born out of the VAFA Under 19 Football Advisory Group, the day successfully celebrated everything that is great about Under 19 football and the future of the VAFA was on show for everyone to see. The VAFA looks forward to introducing the concept to other VAFA sections in future seasons.

VAFA Under 19 Over-Age Player Policy

Due to the cancellation of the 2020 season, a large number of players were denied their only opportunity to experience and participate in Under 19 football in the VAFA. Identifying how important a season of Under 19 football in the VAFA can be in developing social networks and improving physical and mental health, the VAFA made the decision to revise the VAFA Under 19 Over-Age Player Policy for season 2021 to ensure that those Under 19 players who were unable to experience the fun, enjoyment and socialising of Under 19 football last season were still provided the opportunity to do so this year.

VAFA Masters Competition

This year saw VAFA-affi liated clubs De La Salle, St Kevin’s OB, Oakleigh and Canterbury compete alongside Eastern Football Netball League clubs in the BJS/Mecwacare Men’s Veterans Competition. This was an exciting fi rst step in the VAFA’s overall pursuit to conduct its own VAFA Masters competition in season 2022 and the early interest from other VAFA clubs is certainly encouraging. VAFA Masters aims to capture both new players and past players whilst also providing clubs the opportunity to increase their revenue and volunteer numbers.

Football Operations

VAFA Permit Committee

The VAFA has listened to feedback received during the year that a more rigorous and transparent Player Permit Application Process needs to be adopted by the VAFA to ensure that the Amateur Status defi nition is policed more heavily within the competition. Prior to the 2022 season, select players transferring into the VAFA will be subject to the VAFA Player Permit Application Process which will include interviews and investigations conducted by the VAFA Permit Committee.

Tribunal Statistics

Average per Round

2018 2019 2021

Number of match day reports 6.2 5.5 6.6 Number of video review offi cer reports 1.6 1.8 0.6 Number of reports arising from an investigation 0.1 0.4 1.1 Number of players receiving prescribed penalty 4.7 3.9 4.9 Tribunal hearings 2.7 3.4 3.8 Number of charges upheld at Tribunal 1.2 1.2 2.3 Number of charges not sustained at Tribunal 1.5 2.2 1.5 Matches lost through suspension 13 13.3 18 Number of reports (Charging) - 0.1 0.4 Number of reports (Striking) 3.6 3.2 2.8 Number of reports (Engaging in Rough Conduct) 2.5 2.9 2.6 Number of reports (Bumping/Forceful Front On Conduct) 1.1 0.6 1.1