Mario Herodotus Secretary's Report

Introduction  Operations – 2011  On the field:  1 loss within Division II  Vic Bowl Championship  Off the field:  A tight club built on strong intra-team relationships  Community focused  In the pub:  No one does it like the Raiders!

Introduction  What we did well  45 players working as a team to achieve our on- field objectives  A home ground at L.E. Cotchin Reserve  A top notch Trophy Presentation Night  Sponsorships with Bertocchi, Summerhill, The Pit & Madman  *Building a relationship with Darebin Council

What’s Next? Opportunities for improvement  Operations 2012  On the field  We were massively successful here – MAINTAIN!!  Off the field - Most opportunities lie here  *Build a relationship with Darebin Council - Increase our community presence to improve our home field access to all year and get additional council funds  Increase our sponsorships to increase player benefits  Improve player/committee communications  Improve the canteen –  Additional Food Choices  Liquor license  Better appliances

What’s next?  Players and committee should be partners  What happens in the committee meetings is designed to improve conditions for coaches and players  We need each other’s support for this club to continue to thrive in the future  We need to think about the future, both on and off the field  Creating junior interest is an uphill battle as parents don’t see this sport as “Australian”  We need to change perceptions and create awareness and enthusiasm around gridiron

What’s being done?  Stolberg  Looking into a partnership with Stolberg – this could be dangerous and need everyone onboard  Don’t want to lose Summerhill and not pick up Stolberg  Requires player support – this needs to be a win/win  Schenk  Partnership to improve canteen – Need to work closer with Charmaine about expectations for both sides.  This needs to be accomplished without ill feelings or losing support from the current canteen staff. The goal is to improve things for everyone, not to exclude anyone.  Very early stages – help is needed with this item  Parras  Archie has been around the league for many years and has many community ties. He ‘went off the boil’ quickly after meeting us but we will pursue his offer to financially assist the club  May give this a miss if things aren’t to the club’s liking.

What still needs to be done?  The time is right to increase our sponsorships!  *Build a relationship with Darebin Council – we’re champions, kids want to be part of that!  Businesses love working with a winner – they take credit for that win. We benefit in other ways  Wyse proposal will be submitted soon  Create new sponsorship tiers for smaller groups  Get everyone on board – promote the club BE PROUD!!

Why all the effort?  Gridiron, especially here, is EXPENSIVE  Footballs cost $80 each (we would like 10, but have ordered 6)  Goal pads will cost us $180 each (x4 = $720)  Another tackling bag is $300, we’d like two  Blocking pads/shields - $80 (x2 = $160)  Real cones! $10.80 each (x20 = $216)  New water bottles - $30  Sports Tape - $60/12 rolls (we used ~60 - $300)  Restock first-aid kit - $100 to $150 ~ $ and that’s just some of the cheap stuff!!

What Else??  Ground marking equipment and paint  Toro Spray marker - $1000 to $1500  200 liters of white paint - $946 ($80 for 15 liters)  Goal Posts - $3500 (This depends on where juniors play and what relationship we build with council)  Club’s GV Fees - $1000  Cotchin Rental - $1000  Energy bills - $1000 $4000 without goal posts and paint, $8000 with them! And that’s still not everything we need, we’re very concerned about Juniors this year!

What are our options? 1. We can do without 2. We can give-up/quit 3. We can raise fees 4. We can lower our standards/expectations 5. We can slow our speed of progress 6. We can work together; players, coaches, and committee members, to get the backing that will allow us to enjoy the time we spend training and playing this sport together!

Thanks!