is a 3-peat on the cards?
MSEFL PRESIDENT’S welcome
As the 2024 football and netball season commences today, I take this opportunity to welcome all new and exis ng players, supportersandsponsorstoourFamilyLeague.
Once again, 2023 proved to be another year of challenges for our league, a trend we've unfortunately grown accustomed to. Despite COVID-19 now feeling like a distant memory, we've consistently faced hurdles in maintaining the stability of our clubs within the league. Our clubs serve as the linchpin that binds our communi es together, and yet again, we an cipate widespread changes and challenges across the football and netball landscape this year Now more than ever, it's impera ve that all clubs collaborate wherever possible for the advancement of football and netball This collec ve effort is crucial to ensure that each club remains resilient both on and off the field, especially considering the an cipated changes. While the exact impact on each of us remains uncertain, solidarity among clubs will be key in naviga nganyforthcomingtransi ons.
I would like to express my gra tude to all the finals hosts from last year: Hatherleigh, Tantanoola, Robe, and Port MacDonnell. Our Grand Final day at Port MacDonnell set new records for several reasons. Firstly, it recorded the highest gate takings. Secondly, the fantas c weather a racted a massive crowd. Thirdly, we witnessed four outstanding football matches and seven incredible netball grand finals Congratula ons to all the teams that emerged victoriousandclinchedtheul materewardofa premiership. For those who fell short, rememberthatredemp onbeginstoday
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors for their invaluable support of our league. In today’s challenging landscape, securingsponsorshipisnoeasyfeat,andweare trulygratefultothosewhostandbyus. Iurgeall clubs and supporters to make the most of our sponsors’ offerings whenever possible. Let’s show our apprecia on by utlising their services andproducts.
The Board membership con nues as per 2023 whichincludesPeterMitchell,DennisMuhovics (Vice President), Trevor Ling, Joanne Michelmore and Jo Dean. Naomi Mitchell has returned to the posi on of League Secretary and we welcome Rochelle Monaghan as Assistant Secretary to provide valuable support and assistance to both Naomi and the League. PleaserememberthatourjobontheBoardisto assist clubs and make your lives easier, where possible!
I am pleased to announce that Neil Webber has been reappointed as Umpires Director with Ma Cockrum Assistant Umpires Director for this year Neil's unwavering commitment and resilience in this role have been exemplary. Recrui ng, educa ng, and suppor ng our umpires panel is an increasingly challenging task. We find ourselves at a cri cal juncture for our umpires, with our panel aging. If you've recently re red from playing or are eager to remainengagedinthegame,umpiringpresents an excellent opportunity. It not only keeps you fitbutalsoallowsyoutocontributetothesport while building connec ons with players and club members from a different perspec ve. Since COVID we have lost quite a number of regular umpires and it is concerning to the
Boardthatwenowrelyonclubumpirestoassist with reserves and some U17 appointments. We will also revert back to requiring two senior players from the club with the bye to be available to umpire each week. This has been previously well supported and I thank clubs for their backing of this scheme. The League also s ll has in place the Umpires Scholarship program. We believe it will serve as a pathway to strengthen our aging umpires panel. We warmly welcome those who have recently re red from football, as well as young men and women passionate about the game, to join us. The League is eager to hear from individuals who share our love for football and are keen to get involved. I wish Neil all the best for the year inwhatIknowwillagainbeachallengingone.
Michael Mourbey con nues as the SE Football Opera ons Co-ordinator and his role is to providesupportforclubsandLeaguesaswellas taking on some of the administra ve tasks of the Leagues. We think that this is a posi ve step for Football in the South East and look forward to some more posi ve outcomes with theaddi onalresourceaswellasthesupportof theSANFLCommunityFootball.
The MSEFL Board in conjunc on with LCFNL & KNTFL will con nue to operate the SANFL Tribunal system with a panel of commissioners selected from the three leagues. The Board believe this will assist with consistency and uniformity across the tribunal process, with clear set guidelines in place and having one person, Michael Mourbey following up with all reports to offer set penal es or straight to Tribunalifdeemedtobesevere.
We look forward to working closely with the NetballAssocia onPresidentSaraGrayandher commi ee throughout the year in the many jointventuresthatweworkon.
MSEFL Representa ve matches against neighbouring Leagues will take place at Blue Lake Sports Park, hosted by the LCFNL. The Zone Carnival is scheduled for Saturday 8th June. While we await confirma on of the program details, we will have all sides, Senior, U17 and U15 involved. We are pleased to be able to provide our players with the opportunity to compete at a higher level and proudly represent the League against our neighbouring Leaguesonceagain.
Kevin Dinnison stepped up to the role of President of the Junior League just before Christmas, as no nomina ons were received at theAGM.I'dliketoextendmysinceregra tude to Kevin for taking on this leadership posi on. He will be supported by previous Execu ve members Gary (Tug) Wilson and Dylan Clough, along with new Execu ve member Tamara Ploenges. The number of junior par cipants fluctuates across clubs and the league, presen ng challenges for some clubs in maintaining their junior grades. I'm confident thattheJuniorExecu ve,alongsidetheseclubs, will con nue to work diligently to ensure their sustainabilityfortheseasonsahead.
Thankstoallthemediaoutletsforthecoverage our league receives and we look forward to anotherexci ngseasonin2024.
On behalf of the League and all clubs thank you to all the wonderful volunteers that assist each week. If you don’t currently volunteer for your club, then please consider assis ng with your