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Development Plan

Dear DDJAFL Lover

Following are the fruits of your labours from the planning workshop on 16th October. Please do not waste the efforts of that day and take some time to review this draft plan. You will notice that there are several holes in the draft that need your consideration. You are more than welcome to share this draft with others in your club who were not at the planning workshop – the more ideas that go in it the better the end result. Remember that your input is very important into the future of the league and that this is a great opportunity for you to have a say. If you choose not to comment then it is assumed that your club will be happy with whatever is decided in this plan. If you are not happy with the suggestions put forward in this plan the time to say so is now, not next year when things have started to roll. If the feedback I receive presents a major conflict in any area the Board of DDJAFL will be consulted for a solution.

The process undertaken on 16th October is one that usually takes place over 2 days so you can understand why there may be a few holes in this draft. You will notice in the plan that the person responsible is listed generally as the league or the club. Can you please be more specific in your feedback about the exact position that should be responsible eg: instead of the league suggest the Secretary of the league. When looking at the associated costs with each action please consider all costs including someone’s time to do the task and the admin resources that might be needed eg: phone, photocopier, computer etc etc. You should also consider who has these – does the league or do people do these tasks at their places of employment and can this continue if the league grows and the jobs become bigger? You may also want to move actions from one key result area to another if you think this is more suitable. If anyone would like to take the high road in terms of technology, I can e-mail this draft to you for comment.

Your feedback will be kept confidential and can be directed straight to me at the Sport and Recreation Division. You can ring me on 46 319 286, call in to see me at the Old Court House Building 142 Margaret St or e-mail me on [email protected]. It is important that I have your feedback by Friday November 26th so the plan can be finalised. Thanks for your participation to date and I look forward to receiving your feedback on the draft plan.

 

 

Michelle Muir

Senior Adviser – Sport and Recreation

South West Region

 

Section 1: Attendance List

Section 2: What do you love about Australian Football? What do you hate about Australian Football?

 

Section 3: Why Plan?

 

                                Section 4: What is the Purpose of the DDJAFL? Mission!

 

Section 5: SWOT Analysis

 

                            Section 6: What we need to do to be successful. THE PLAN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL?
Watching the kids run around
Watching the kids have fun
The opportunity for my kids to improve
Watching the kids develop skills
 

…..THERE WERE MORE???

These thoughts are embraced in the actions within this plan

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL?
Pushy parent
People who use it as a baby sitting service
People who sit on the sidelines and criticise their kids, the opposition and the umpire
When players are not in uniform
 

…..WHERE THERE ANY MORE ???

The plan attempts to overcome the above thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY PLAN?
To make sure we achieve our goals and to provide direction
To encourage us to think about what we do and why we do it
To achieve outcomes sooner rather than later and to give a map of how to get there
To give everyone a chance to have a say
To improve the product we have (Australian Football)
To establish opportunities that we might not have otherwise considered
To ensure we use limited resources (people and $) effectively
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission of Darling Downs Junior Australian Football League:

(Why do we exist?)

 

Some suggestions:

 

"To provide a fun, educational opportunity for children to participate in an Australian Football League that provides a pathway for their development and supports the promotion of the game.

 

To develop a coordinated league that supports and promotes Australian Football as a fun and developmental/ educational opportunity for children and promotes a pathway for their long-term participation in the sport.

 

 

Please feel free to make your own suggestion or indicate support for the above!! Key words identified during the workshop were: Australian Football, fun, education, pathway, promotion, coordination, support, direction and coordination

 

 

Each mission statement received a vote of support

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWOT Analysis:

Internal to DDJAFL

Strengths
Implications (so what?)
Excellent product
AFL is sensitive to cleaning up its image
Viable alternative to rugby / soccer
Profile is increasing
It is well marketed at the elite level
Much easier to sell Aust Football; increase communication amongst the public
Recruiting tool of Auskick
5100 participants in 1999 (300 within DDAFL) large % play club footy
stepping stone to competition at relevant skill level
Coaching accreditation
Gives volunteer coaches up to date data on development and code of conduct
Consistent professionalism, coordination communication, improve standard of coaches and players
Regional Development Officer role
Allows a full time person to develop and promote the game and identify talented players
Access to new players, dedicated to improving the profile
AFL Lions
QLD team in national competition
The stronger the Lions are; the stronger we are
Support from local parents and State Association
Allows for quality involvement
Would fold without it
Established clubs
Structured set up for kids to participate in competitions
Strong base to build on
Schools competition
Allows kids to try out the sport
Schools participation is increasing – established ‘feeder’ source
Geographical location
Close to Brisbane for talented players
Cover wide area – possibility of large player base
Cost of player registration
Cost effective
Affordable

 

Weakness

Implications (so what?)
Players get older and drop out of the game
Lose momentum in grades approaching senior level - due to a lack of competition, parent involvement and encouragement
Parent numbers active in clubs are declining, especially in the older age groups
Lose support for the game and the survival of clubs is jeopardised
The structure of rules of the game and their impact on umpiring
Umpires have trouble ruling games correctly and everyone ends up frustrated
Lack of public awareness and media attention to our game
Public doesn’t know the game exists in the region
Club accountability is not uniform
League must make clubs equally accountable via guidelines
Distances that are travelled to some games
Reduced numbers of players and parents when travelling away to games
Lack of communication within clubs
Clubs become frustrated
Difficult to attract umpires
 

 

External to DDJAFL

 

Opportunities

Implications (so what?)
Down fall of other sports in area

Opportunity to capitalise, especially through schools
Creation of a Media/Promotions Officer

Ability to keep the sport in front of the public eyes

Raise profile of AFL in local media
Safety of this sport in comparison to other football codes

Modified rules at beginners level (no tackle, skill focused)

Modified rules for younger age groups, emphasis on skills and ‘the ball’ not ‘the man’
Brisbane Lions promotion – while playing well

Opportunity to promote the game in all country areas by player appearances

Increase media profile of Australian Football in Queensland, which covers regional leagues also
Sponsorship from local businesses with an interest in the game

Financial resources to promote, purchase equipment and educate

DDJAFL becomes more professional and increases strength of club ‘power’ also
   
   

 

Threats

Implications (so what?)
The promotion of other codes
Declining interest in Australian Football
Lack of support from Lions/AFL
No "heroes" for kids
Decline in standards of professionalism and becoming disorganised
Decrease in the number of people that want to be part of our organisation (parents and players)
Decline in standards of umpiring, coaching, administration
Risk losing players to other sports
Increasing contest of the player and not the football, focus on winning not playing
Decrease in the level of fun/enjoyment
Regional Development Officer removal considering the position is contractually based
Hole left in the league’s ability to develop skills in future players and to work cohesively
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Do We Have To Do To Be Successful? Key Result Areas:

6.1 Competition Structure:

Goal for next year:

To introduce Auskick into after school programs

To introduce Auskick to new centres (to boost numbers to 400)

To develop a fixture/draw booklet (including an official draw)

To establish games with other leagues eg: Morningside and Mt Gravatt for a Darling Downs representative team to play.

To have 4 teams playing U/16 18–a-side game

To examine the use of a tribunal (this goal has been questioned)

To examine the possibility of having family discounts on registration

Goal for 3 years:

To have all teams playing in uniforms at home grounds.

To have new Auskick centres develop into new clubs

To increase in the number of inter-league games and have a zone based competition.

To have a structured regional school competition. Primary and secondary

To operate a well defined player pathway.

Action

By Who?

By When?

Estimated Costs

Outcome (how do we know we’ve got it right/)

Priority

Auskick in schools –

Approach schools to determine interest in afterschool program
Gain support of RDO
Identify target schools
Identify teachers with an interest in the game

RDO

RDO & clubs

RDO in conjunction with the clubs

Start of 2000 season

2000 season

Self Funding

Increased numbers

H

U/8 & U/10’s Competition-
Organise U/8’s to play same time as U/10’s ?? Under 8’s Friday night after school
Confirm availability of grounds to play on
Target more primary schools in recruiting
Do not have a club structure for U/8’s Competition

RDO & Club Executives

RDO & Executive DDJFL

RDO & clubs

2000 season

Self Funding

Increased numbers

Better quality of competition for a particular age group

H

U/16 Competition
Push for further involvement of schools
Consider change of time

League in consultation with clubs & school connections

RDO in consultation with clubs & school connections

2001

Admin

Conversion of school football to league football

M

–Duty Club

Role of Ground Marshall to be established
League to supply bib identifying Ground Marshall for the day
Clubs are rostered to fill the role
Duty Club responsibilities are drafted and explained to all clubs
Duty club rostered for each week
(nb duty clubs responsibilites drafted during 99 season)

League & Club delegates

 

Clubs to organise duties on their rostered day

2000 Season

Minimal

Administration

Coordination on day

Improvement in crowd behaviour

NB Financial penalty should be imposed on those clubs who do NOT do their duty club roster

M

Umpire Control-
Umpire Selection Panel established in consultation with Umpire’s Association
Proforma established to determine the skills needed at each level & to assess umpire’s performance each game
Schedule of meetings established
Rules of the Game to spectators/coaches

 

League President , Appointed person from Umpire’s Association

Umpires Assn

 

League Secretary to clubs

 

2000

 

Coach game feedback

 

 

 

 

 

Administration

 

Better quality of umpiring

 

 

 

 

 

Greater understanding of the rules by spectators

M

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

Fixture/Draw Booklet-
Each club submitting a page on their operations
To be used as a sponsorship & marketing tool
Includes venues used by league
League to include draw

 

League & Clubs

2000

Sponsorship (30 @ $50 each?)

Improved communication within league, higher profile of game, increased sponsor awareness

H (by1/5/00)

Inter-league Games
Make contacts with other leagues
Confirm dates and venues for games
Select teams from DD League

League & RDO

2000

Administration Costs, otherwise cost neutral

Increase skills & developmental opportunities for DD players

M

Tribunal
Investigate ruling from parent body
Gather submissions from clubs on use of tribunal (including info on who is responsible for what, is one needed, what does the process look like)
Investigate the possibility of umpires completing a match report where necessary

League Executive

Start during 2000 season for implementation/ reorganisation

When necessary

  

The club doesn’t not agree with a tribunal for U/12’s (maybe U14’s) as it would be a terrifying experience for 10-12 year players. Most incidences can be dealt with satisfactorily by the umpires, coaches & clubs. However, in those instances where the incident is of a more serious nature it could be referred to a higher authority, such as an incident advisory committee, where the incident could be investigated without the need for the player to be present. The term ‘tribunal’ in itself is a frightening prospect.

League needs a clear policy, clear rules and "needs some teeth"

What about counselling for kids

"3 strikes and your out"??

Need to empower the umpires to feel confident in taking action

  

6.2 Recruiting:

Goal for next year:

To increase the player base to 700 comprising:

4 x U/16 teams

6 x U/14 teams

8 x U/12 teams

Auskick & U/10 total of 400

To increase the support of parents and conduct awareness of behaviour codes.

All teams to have accredited coaches & managers

More umpires to have minimum accreditation

All clubs to have complete First Aid Kits and a qualified First Aider

All officials to participate in appropriate training.

Goal for 3 years:

For all clubs to have a full compliment of players in each age grouping.

To enforce Codes of Behaviour

All teams to have accredited coaches and assistant coaches

Specialist umpires are available for each grade

Clubs to double the number of qualified First Aid trained personnel

 

Action

By Who?

By When?

Estimated Costs

Outcome (how do we know we’ve got it right?)

Priority

PLAYERS

          
Promote the game and the role of the RDO through the media with regular media releases

League

Appointed league Media officer

Fortnightly in the lead up to the season and weekly during season

Minimal admin

Schools contacting RDO

Increased profile

H
Clubs to appoint a Recruitment/ Marketing Officer to manage the distribution of media releases

Clubs

Clubs (with the help of coaches)

Start of 2000 season

Minimal admin

Increased profile

H

PARENTS

          
Investigate a reduction in fees for families

League

Clubs

Feb 2000

  

More affordable for families with 2/more kids playing

H
Investigate the option of having discounts for those parents actively involved in the club

League to ensure consistency

Clubs responsibility

Feb 2000

  

More parents involved at the games

H
Parents to be given a booklet outlining their responsibilities and the operations of the league etc including the consequences of poor behaviour

League

League secretary to distribute to clubs – clubs the responsible for giving to parents


2000 season

Administration

Better understanding parents and better behaved parents

M/H

COACHES/TEAM MANAGERS

          
Need to be offered opportunities to attend accreditation courses at no cost as incentive to take on the job

Clubs

Ongoing

Sport and Recreation Division Grant

Club funding

Better understanding of the game/attitudes etc Player then benefit

M/H

UMPIRES

          
Look at recruiting through upper age groups in junior league
Pathway needs to be developed

League & Clubs & Umpire’s Association

Ongoing

???

Better understanding of the game and rules

More responsibility

M
Self recruit with club support

Clubs

Ongoing

      

FIRST AIDERS

          
Need to be offered the opportunity to attend accreditation courses

League & Clubs

2000 & on going

Funding grants?

Every club has its own first aiders

H
Clubs need to ensure that they have someone qualified in the position

Clubs

2000

Funding Grants?

Every club has first aiders. If not, financial penalties should be imposed

H

LEAGUE/CLUB OFFICIALS

          
Need to offer the incentive of VIP training
Pathway to be developed for administrators

Clubs/League

2000 & Ongoing

Funding Grant?

Better run club committees with same level of commitment Impose financial penalties on clubs who don’t participate? Maybe every Club should be levied at the start of the season to cover such things, with money to be refunded if club participates in all requirements?

  
Need to have clear role descriptions so people know what they are taking on

Clubs/league

2000 & on going

Admin Costs

    
Need to look for replacements for positions in advance of someone resigning
         

 

6.3 Accreditation:

6.3.1 Coaches

Goal for next year:

Team rules for each age group and Level 1 coaching courses becoming the club’s responsibility. Club coaches have regular meetings.

Accredited Coach for each team in all clubs

Goal for 3 years:

Accredited Coach for each team and the support of an Assistant Coach for each team.

 

6.3.2 Umpires

Goal for next year:

To have a trial of U/14’s umpiring U/8’s & U/10’s and to recruit umpires through schools, ex-players and university students

To have 18 accredited Umpires.

Goal for 3 years:

To have 24 accredited Umpires.

6.3.3 Club Executive/Officials

Goal for next year:

To have all club office bearers trained in some areas of VIP (Volunteer Involvement Program)

Goal for 3 years:

Compulsory VIP accreditation for all office bearers

6.3.4 Trainers/First Aiders

Goal for next year:

Investigate alternatives to St John’s providing first aid. Work towards club representatives being trained in first aid.

Goal for 3 years:

Each club to have an accredited sports trainer.

Each team to have a first aider.

 

Action

By Who?

By When?

Estimated Costs

Outcome (how do we know we’ve got it right/)

Priority

COACHING

          
Accreditation Courses

RDO & Clubs to nominate participants

2000 & ongoing

Sport & Recreation Division Grant and Clubs

Standard coaching approaches and understanding of rules, players benefit also

H

UMPIRING

          
Accreditation Course
Pathway required

League/ Umpires Assn

2000 & on-going

Administration Costs $500

Increased quality & standard of umpiring, declining frustration for players & parents & clubs & umpires

H
Need to have some internal training on adapting to the different rule interpretations in the different age groups

Umpire’s Association

2000 & ongoing

  

Rules of the game to be given to parents also

H

CLUB EXECUTIVES

          
Compulsory VIP Courses for new office bearers

Clubs and League

2000 –2003

Sport & Recreation Division Grant

High standard of admin for all clubs and increased consistency

H
Evaluate legal protection available to club officials & all clubs to become incorporated

League

2000

Admin time & cost of policies if clubs take up

Cost to register incorporation

Clubs are more aware of their responsibilities and take steps to protect themselves

H

FIRST AID/ SPORTS TRAINER

          
Investigate training options in Sports Medicine, Sports Trainer
Clubs to have representatives attend first aid courses
Institute ruling that games do not proceed without First Aid assistance on hand.

 

Clubs

2000 First Aid

2002 Sports Trainer

Sport & Recreation Division Grant

Clubs to subsidise.

Sport will be safer and cost of St John’s presence will be eliminated

Still feel that it’s necessary to have St John’s presence at the games to give parents ‘reassurance’

M

 

    1. Codes of Conduct

Goal for next year:

To distribute relevant Bylaws sections to all clubs.

To establish a method of reporting grievances and distribute to all clubs.

To formalise the policing of the code at games.

Goal for 3 years:

 

Action

By Who?

By When?

Estimated Costs

Outcome (how do we know we’ve got it right/)

Priority

BYLAWS
Distribute relevant sections to all clubs for distribution to members

League and Clubs to then distribute

League Secretary to clubs – clubs to parents

(NB This has already been done – copies given out at AGM & mailed to those Clubs not represented at AGM)

Start of 2000 season

Printing and copying

Printing, postage and photocopying

Clubs have a consistent understanding of what is expected

League operates more efficiently

Clubs/parents have an understanding of By-Laws and how League operates

H

CODE OF CONDUCT

Clubs to adopt Aussie Sport information if they have nothing in writing
All parents receive a written copy of codes
Establish a procedure of parents signing that they will adhere to the code
League to establish a method of enforcing the codes
Clubs to act consistently in dealing with code breaches.

 

 

 

League to develop and clubs with the help of the league to enforce

 

 

 

Start of 2000 season

Administration and photocopying costs

No abusive parents, coaches, players etc

Impose financial penalty on parent or club for any breaches

 

H

 

          

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

Proposed Competition Structure Attachment

Mini Footy U/8 (6 a side)

Aussie Footy U/10 (9 a side)

Aussie Footy U/12 (9 a side minimum)

Youth Footy U/14 (9 a side minimum)

Youth Footy U/16’17
 

East

East

East

Coolaroo
 

E-Tigers

E-Tigers

Coolaroo

Easts
 

Coolaroo

Coolaroo

Uni

Uni
 

Uni

Uni

Souths?

North?
 

Lockyer

Lockyer

Northern? (Kingaroy, Nanango, Dalby, Crow’s Nest)

West?
 

Gundi

Gundi

West? ( Warwick, Gundi, Allora, Millmerran, Stanthorpe)

  
 

Souths

Souths

Lockyer

  
 

Warwick

Warwick

    
 

Dalby

Dalby

    
 

Kingaroy

Kingaroy

    
 

Nanango

Nanango

    
 

Crow’s Nest

Crow’s Nest

    

 

U/18’s Darling Downs Crows

 

To investigate the viability of remaining in BJAFL or field a side with 4 senior players in the DDJFL senior competition

Support the team through alliances with other groups ie weight training, sports specialists etc
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