Mosman Swans Newsletter - Opening Round Edition 1 April, 2016

Dear Mosman Swans members,

As we near the kick-off for our 18^th season this Sunday April 3, I’d like to thank our returning families for your continued support and welcome all our new members. You’ve chosen a great club! Mosman Swans is one of the largest junior AFL clubs in NSW, offering playing opportunities for girls and boys aged from 4 to 17.

The club is run by a team of volunteers who contribute countless hours every year to ensure the season runs smoothly and most importantly, that our kids enjoy their footy. We value any help you can provide, from running the boundary, working the flags between goals or otherwise assisting on game days, so please put up your hand and get involved, it’s very rewarding.

If you still haven’t registered or know of others who’d like to play, it’s not too late to register.

Check out the registration information on our website: www.mosmanswans.com.au

Our Thanks

Speaking of volunteers, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have worked behind the scenes to get us to the opening bounce this year.

In particular, I’d like to acknowledge our wonderful co-registrars, Rebecca Higgs and Rachel Thorley, who have devoted countless hours to ensuring everyone is registered and ready to go.

We don’t play footy without umpires, so a huge thank you to Michelle McKinnon who is our umpire ambassador, responsible for this clubs large team of umpires who are vital to our game. Sincere thanks Michelle for all of your work in preparation for season 2016!

In addition to other duties, Rachel Thorley has again done a great job in managing all of the club’s procurement for the forthcoming season. It is no small task to purchase, assemble and distribute all of the equipment required by all 18 teams and our large Auskick program. A huge job done ahead of time and without fuss, many thanks Rachel!

To former President Gary Forster who again this year has managed the complexities of the Draw on behalf of the Mosman Swans. With literally thousands of considerations and moving parts this is a time consuming and thankless but nonetheless a vital task in scheduling each home and away team into a very tight fixture over 16 Rounds. Thank you very much Gaz!

A big thank you also to our army of Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Managers and the Auskick team led by Peter Tonkin. All have been busy in preparing their respective teams for Round 1 and a big season ahead. Good luck to all teams and Auskickers this weekend and thank you for getting involved.

Uniforms

Unfortunately the supply of team uniforms has been impacted by Cyclone Winston which impacted ISC’s production facility in Fiji. Cyclone Winston is the largest tropical cyclone to make landfall on Fiji in history and was entirely unforseen. The result is our order will not arrive prior to Round 1. We continue to work with our supplier and anticipate a resolution to this imapasse shortly. Please bare with us.

Ironically one of the reasons we moved to ISC was their virtical integration and the fact they own there own facility ensuring better quality and higher production standards. At no time did we anticipate a cyclone.

Please advise your team manager should you have immediate uniform requirements and we do our best to manage each request from existing stock. We will further advise as soon as the new stock is available.

Where the Round 1 action is:

8:00 Willoughby Wildcats U11/3 v Mosman Swans Red U11/3 @ MHO

8:00 East Sydney Blue U12/1 v Mosman Swans White U12/1 @ Trumper Oval

8:30 Forest Lions U9 Kennedy's v Mosman Swans White U9 @ Lionel Watts Oval

9:00 Willoughby/Mosman Swans U15-3 v Canada Bay Dockers U15-3 @ ELS Hall

9:30 Mosman Swans Red U13 v Moore Park Tigers U13 @ MHO

10:00 Balgowlah Suns (U9) v Mosman Swans (U9 Red) @ Balgowlah Oval

10:00 Willoughby/Mosman Swans u17/2 v Glebe Greyhounds U17-2

10:00 Mosman Swans Red U10 v Willoughby Wildcats U10s 2 @ ABO

10:00 Mosman Swans Bloods U10 v Willoughby Wildcats 3 @ ABO

11:00 Mosman Swans White U10 v St Ives U10 @ ABO

11:00 Manly (U9) v Mosman Swans (U9 Bloods) @ Frank Gray

11:00 Mosman Swans U14 YG v Pittwater Tigers @ MHO

12:15 Mosman Swans U18 YG v North Western Thunder U18

14:00 Willoughby/Mosman Swans U14-1 v Manly/Pittwater U14-1 @ MHO

15:15 St Ives (Div 3) v WMS/3 @ Acron Oval

15:30 Willoughby/Mosman Swans U14-3 v Manly/Pittwater U14 @ MHO

15:45 Willoughby/Mosman Swans U15-1 v Manly/Pittwater U15 Div 1@ Gore Hill Oval

Round 1 Bye: Mosman Swans U12-3

Note:

WMS = Willoughby/Mosman Swans

ABO = Allan Boarder Oval

MHO - Middle Head Oval

Teams & Coaches

Auskick Head Coaches

Minikick: Kevin Kehoe

Auskick: Jason Pritchard & Dan Musson

Superkick: Peter Tonkin

Junior & Youth Teams

U9

Red: James Hocking (Coach), Ben Callaway (Assistant Coach)

White: Alex Harvey (Coach), Aleta Harper (Manager)

Bloods: Nigel Blunden (Coach), Geoff Hannaford (Assistant Coach)

U10

Red: Ben Frewin (Coach), Mark Folkes & Steve Coakley (Astant Coaches)

white: Mark Zukerman (Coach), Roger Brandt (Assistant Coach)

Bloods: Adam Vernon (Coach), Mick Travers (Assistant Coach)

U11 (Div 2) Jason Garrett (Coach), Richard Hitchens & Mark Channing (Assistant Coaches)

U12

Div 1 Dave Hardman (Coach), Fiona Willington (Manager)

Div 3 TBA

U13

Div 2 Rachel Thorley (Coach), Matt Gardiner, Mark Englund & Rohan Stewart (Assist Coaches)

U14

Div 1 Travis Miller (Coach), Rod kibble, Adam Cox, Michael Kourakis & Elvis Metelovski (Assist)

Div 3 Jamie Drew & Bob Dwyer (Co-Coaches), Andrew Larkey (Assistant Coach)

U15

Div 1 Tim Barling (Coach), Nick Taylor, Mark Levey, Peter Drum, David Bird & Jack Finsterer

Div 3 Steve Netting (Coach), Rob O’Callahan, Lynton Anderson, Warren Kember & Ry Spalvins

U17

Div 2 Aaron Brasher (Coach), Peter Drumm, John Dillon, Jamie Dow (Assistant Coaches)

Div 3 Stuart McDonald & Rob Geeves (Co-Coaches)

Youth Girls Teams

U14 Youth Girls Nic Hurrell (Coach), Rachel Coroneos (Manager)

U18 Youth Girls Andrew Jenkins (Coach), Andrew Hurrell (Assistant Coach)

Our thanks to our Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Manages for their collective and wonderful commitment to our kids!

Minikick/Auskick/Superkick Season opener!

Auskick is the introductory level to AFL and is suitable for girls and boys aged 4-8 years old. We are one of Sydney's biggest Auskick clubs and we look forward to an exciting season commencing with Auskick games at the SCG as a curtain-raiser to the Sydney Swans vs Collingwood clash on Easter Saturday. Good luck girls and boys!

We expect to field more Auskick teams for AFL half-time games at the SCG later in the season, and our Superkicker group (7-8 year olds) will be playing a few home and away games against other teams in our region.

Auskick kicks off April 3 at Allan Border Oval at 8am so now's the time to register and get on board for Mosman Swans Auskick for 2016.

Please contact Peter Tonkin - Director Auskick for further information 0417 494 303 auskick@mosmanswans.com.au'

Former Mosman Swans champions excel on SCG

It is fitting that on the eve of this clubs 18^th season former Mosman Swans champions and club best & fairest winners Daniel Robinson (B&F 2006) and Callum Mills (B&F 2012) both took the field last Saturday for the Swans in the season’s opening clash against Collingwood. Whilst Dan made his senior debut in Round 9 last season it was Callum’s first senior game for the Swans following his selection at pick #3 by the Swans in the national draft last November. Both acquitted themselves extremely well, Dan with 17 touches and Callum an impressive 18 possessions on Debut. Each was composed and effective in their ball use. It is a great thrill to see two of this clubs finest making their way in senior footy at the highest level at the same time. A terrific example to our young members that an AFL career is attainable, if you are willing to work hard at your footy-craft. Keep an eye on both young men this season.

Night Footy at Middle Head Oval!

Visitors to Middle Head Oval this weekend will observe that the project to install new floodlights at this venue is well underway. The poles were delivered today and will be installed next week. All players should take special care to avoid the construction zones around the oval precinct.

Due to be completed over the next month, upon completion the upgraded lights will provide match grade lighting capability providing the opportunity for night fixtures. We have scheduled night games from Round 6.

This important infrastructure is a great leap forward for Mosman sport and will assist us to better manage congestion of Sunday’s whilst providing our players with the wonderful experience of footy under lights. Parents and coaches will enjoy having the weekend off!

This project has been almost eight years in the making and follows persistent and determined advocacy by this club and our work to secure a NSW State Government Grant. We acknowledge the support of Mosman Council, the Harbour Trust and the AFL in bringing this project to fruition.

A Sports injury management initiative

This season our first aid provider at Middle Head Oval will be Mosman Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre. The practice is well known to many of our members and has been established for over 40 years.

Predominantly a Sports Physiotherapy practice, Principal Steve Davey and his team cover a variety of sporting teams including to Mosman Football Club, Manly United Football Club, Gordon North Sydney Hockey Club and Manly Warringah Gymnastics. Three of their physiotherapists have post graduate qualifications in Sports Physiotherapy, and they also have a Specialist Hand Physiotherapist, which is ideal for a sport like AFL, where finger injuries are so common and often difficult to treat.

Importantly a number of their staff are also keen AFL players, both current and former, and supporters, and as such, have a good understanding of the game and it’s requirements and physical demands.

Martin Pettifer will be our ‘resident’ Physio at MHO from Sunday. Martin is a former elite level AFL player himself and has a wealth of experience in on-field injury support for both AFL and VFL clubs.

In support of the Mosman Swans the practice offers discounted rates for all playing club members. We have negotiated the availability of an “Injury Clinic” on Monday evenings in the Practice for all playing club members to have acute injuries assessed from the weekend prior. This will enable us to triage injuries, and have more urgent matters attended to quickly, thus resulting in less time lost from the field. These will be short consultations and still must be booked in advance.

Become an AFL Umpire

We know you love playing AFL but have you considered umpiring as well? It’s a great way to keep fit while earning some extra cash. It’s also a great way to build confidence and assertiveness.

Anyone aged 13 years or over is eligible to umpire. You don't need to be a player - parents and siblings are also very welcome. Beginners start by umpiring younger age groups and are mentored by senior umpires during the first few games.

Umpire training is held on Mondays from 6:00pm till 7:00pm at Middle Head Oval. Please contact our Umpire Ambassador, Michelle McKinnon, on 0405 381482 for further details.

Girls.... want to play AFL?

The Mosman Swans are fielding two youth girls teams again this year: an U18YG team and an U14YG team, and we plan to introduce an U12YG team next year. Younger girls can join our Auskick program from the age of 4.

It is a great time for girls to get involved in AFL with the formation of Female Academies this year in the lead up to a national Female AFL comp in 2017.

So if you have a daughter who would like to come and give AFL a try please contact Michelle at girlsfooty@mosmanswans.com.au.

Code of Conduct

Players, parents and supporters/spectators are bound by the Code of Conduct

Our kids play football to have fun. And it’s one of the great features of the sport that kids are umpiring kids, often just a couple of years younger than themselves. We must support umpires without question. Further, it is a competition by-law that umpires must not be approached at any stage during the game by players, coaches, or parents. If you have any concerns at all on game day, raise these with your team manager who will, in turn, approach the ground manager. Put simply - umpires are a NO GO ZONE!

Key elements of the Code of Conduct:

• Remember you are there for the participants to enjoy the game.
• Encourage participation but don’t force it.
• Teach that enjoyment is more important than winning.
• Never ridicule mistakes or losses. Supporters/spectators are there to support, not downgrade.
• Lead by example and respect all players, coaches, umpires, officials and spectators. Physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated.
• Recognise all volunteers who give up their valuable time.
• Never publicly criticise umpires, rather raise personal concerns with club officials in private.
• Do not use remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability. Such remarks let down your players, coach, club and family.
• Respect the facilities and equipment of your own and opposing clubs.
• Do not engage in physical and/or verbal abuse or conduct toward any player, official, umpire or supporter/spectator. Such actions are totally unacceptable.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Abusive language is unacceptable.

2016 Sponsors

Principal Sponsor - Richardson & Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay

We again thank our major sponsor, Richardson & Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay, for the significant and valued contribution they make to our club. We thank the Principals and staff of R&W for their ongoing support and I urge our Mosman Swans families to support R&W in return.

For all real estate enquiries please contact agency Principal Stephen Patrick directly -

Principal - Richardson & Wrench Mosman / Neutral Bay

9969 7622 | 0413 834 848 | stephen@rwm.com.au

Gold Sponsor – Fitness First

We welcome Fitness First as a sponsor for season 2016. Fitness First provides state of the art fitness facilities at their Mosman Platinum health club located at 555 Military Road.

For fitness assessment or a tour of the Mosman Facility please contact club Manager Robert Griffiths on (02) 8969 3720

Financial Services Sponsor – Dixon Advisory

Dixon Advisory joined the Mosman Swans as a sponsor quietly last season and are best known for providing the drink bottles for our players. A very practical initial gesture by a very practical firm. We appreciate their support again in season 2016 and encourage your query should you require financial support or advice.

As a quick introduction to Dixon Advisory;

· Celebrating our 30 year anniversary this year.

· One of few remaining privately owned advice firms – 350+ employees.

· Largest north shore presence with 140 people in our North Sydney office.

· Fee for service business ala law and accounting firms.

· We turn off or rebate commission on likes of mortgage, life insurance, investment products.

· We typically help people with $300k to $3m to invest.

· For further information – please see https://www.dixon.com.au/who-we-are

or contact Steve Netting tel: (02) 8662 9725.

Team-wear Apparel Partner – ISC

ISC join us this year as our Teamwear and off field apparel partner. ISC supply 5 AFL clubs including the Sydney Swans. We are delighted with the new Mosman Swans uniform which will be available to members very soon.

Mosman Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

The practice is well known to many of our members and has been established for over 40 years.

In addition to match day coverage, as part of the arrangement players will have available an “Injury Clinic” on Monday evenings in the Practice to have acute injuries assessed from the weekend prior. This will enable the triage of injuries, and have more urgent matters attended to quickly, thus resulting in less time lost from the field. These will be short consultations and still must be booked in advance.

Suite 21/599 Military Rd, Mosman

Contact Steve Davey or Martin Pettifer

Tel: (02) 9968 2666

.

Best of luck to all members for a wonderful first Round. I'll see you at the footy!

Sincerely,

Justin Dethridge

President

The Mosman Swans appreciate the generous ongoing financial support of our principal sponsor Richardson & Wrench (Mosman & Neutral Bay)!