2011 VCFL Annual Report - Victorian Country Football League

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
thrown their full support behind me in my role
as CEO.
Having taken the reigns in May I sought to
make a few adjustments to the structure
creating Departments with respective
Managers and the acceptance of these
changes and subsequent adherence of the
changes is a credit to all members of the
team.
As we look forward there will continue to
be many challenges that we will need to
overcome and or tackle head-on and I am
comfortable that the team we have is well
positioned to meet any challenge with a
vibrant and committed attitude throughout the
group.
In thanking the efforts of all team members
I would also like to provide a special thanks
to Brett Connell who was elevated to 2IC
throughout the year and his support in my
role has been outstanding. I would also like to
thank Stephen Smith who joined us in June
as Finance Manager after a long career at AFL
Victoria. Stephen hit the ground running and
provided me with great assistance in ensuring
the fi nancial side of the business continued
to be managed effi ciently and successfully.
I would like to thank Lauren Keenan for all
of her efforts across the year in her role as
Finance & Executive Assistant.
AFL & AFL Victoria
The AFL continues to dominate the battle of
the codes in Australia and praise must be
afforded to Andrew Demetriou and his team
along with the AFL Commission for continuing
to manage the game successfully. As a game
we reap the rewards of a successful peak
body and we look forward to continuing to
work together on advancing our game into the
future.
The VCFL also enjoys strong support from
AFL Victoria and I particularly would like to
thank Grant Williams who started in his role
in April of this year as General Manager.
Grant’s support of country football is strong
having grown up in country Victoria and I
look forward to again working with Grant
across 2012. In addition, the VCFL appreciates
support provided by other members of the AFL
Victoria team and we look forward to working
collaboratively across the coming year to
achieve positive results for the game.
Netball
Netball continues to get stronger throughout
country Victoria and the relationship between
football and netball has continued to get
stronger in recent times with the work
undertaken by both the VCFL and also the
team at Netball Victoria.
Going to a venue on any given weekend and
seeing the community and family aspect of
having football and netball at the same venue
continues to be a highlight and the VCFL look
forward to working with acting CEO Russel
James and his team at Netball Victoria while
Leigh Russell takes some maternity leave in
2012.
Sponsors and Commercial Partners
The VCFL have enjoyed many enduring
partnerships with our sponsors in recent years
and this has enables the VCFL to grow as a
business.
Of most signifi cance is the relationship we
have with our naming rights sponsor in
WorkSafe. This year we completed a decade
of support and we would like to again thank
CEO Greg Tweedly and all of his team for their
ongoing and committed support. The work
done by Steve Gosbell, Julie Bond and Caroline
Smyth is appreciated at this end and we look
forward to building on the relationship going
forward.
In addition to WorkSafe, we again enjoyed
another successful year with Premier Partner
V/Line. Ably led by Rob Barnett, V/Line’s
support of the VCFL assists us across training
and education life skill programs, the V/Line
Cup and the V/Line Umpiring Academies which
are all successful events due to the support
we receive from V/Line. Thanks must also go
to Paul Matthews and Tiffany Richards for
their ongoing assistance with the day to day
management of the partnership. I would also
like to thank Nathan Thompson for his ongoing
efforts as the V/Line Ambassador throughout
2011.
The VCFL continue to receive terrifi c support
form David Goldman and Andrew Shenker at
Victor Sports who continue to be a premier
partner and preferred medical supplier to
the VCFL. This relationship has grown every
year since its inception in 2003 and we look
forward to another successful year in 2012.
In addition to the above partners, the VCFL
also received support from the following
partners across 2011: Win TV, Landmark,
Skins, Defence Force Recruiting, Roadsafe,
Barooga Sports Club, Graincorp, Vic Health, Fit
Health Insurance, and Best Western.
In addition to the sponsors, I would also like to
thank all of the VCFL Licensees who continue
to work hard on providing our affi liates with
great products come game day. Our licensing
program makes a signifi cant fi nancial
contribution to our business and ensures we
have the ability to roll out many successful
programs and funding initiatives.
In Conclusion
When refl ecting on 2011 it is apparent that
country football in Victoria enjoys many
success stories however as we look to the
future there are challenges that will need to be
overcome as a collective group. I am sure with
the ongoing support of the AFL, AFL Victoria,
the VCFL, Leagues, Clubs, Umpires and the
army of 30,000+ volunteers that we will
overcome any challenge that comes our way
whilst also growing the game for generations
to come.
I wish all of those that support our great game
a safe and prosperous year ahead, and I look
forward to working with you all in 2012.
Steven Reaper
Chief Executive Offi cer
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