On behalf of the Committee I would like to welcome all the players and their families to the Peninsula Strikers Junior Football Club for the 2011 season. For all of you that have been around the last few years, you would have participated with us in a variety of changes. In 2007 the club has gone through a major name change as we aligned ourselves with the senior club formerly known as Frankston Strikers. Both clubs will continue to work independently with a strong link in preparation for the older teams into a senior level. This year will see the 2010 x U16’s play under the senior club. Some as U18’s, some as reserves and maybe even seniors, proving already that the concept initiated in 2007 is starting to generate its benefits. and, of course we all wish them well on continuing their football journey.
In 2011, we will have a strong focus on the girls teams. We are providing ‘female fit’ uniforms for all girls teams this season, and although our U16A ‘graduated last here we are hopefully expected 2 new teams in the junior girls, which is fantastic for the Girls world game in their region. (A special well done to Kathy Sipcic to all the hard work she has done in growing the girls game for our club).
2010 saw some major changes introduced by FFV for the juniors with the abolition of “super-league” teams in Victoria. The A, B & C concepts are still ‘normalising’ and will be a season or so before the competition evens out. I am a believer that Football Federation Victoria (FFV) in conjunction with Football Federation Australia (FFA) is implementing these changes with the view of improving the sport nationwide.
In 2009, one of the major changes was the introduction of Small Sided Football (SSF) for ages 5 to 11. And although they did not extend this to Under12s as we were expecting (in line with the National Curriculum), this year in 2011, the under 12s age group is self graded (ie no A,B or C grade), so there will be lessons learnt and roadblocks to break down together.
We again need everyone’s support to continue the success it was in 2010. This year we will again see positive changes to the system based on clubs feedback. The full details for each age group can be found on our website by clicking the link “SSF (U7 - U11)” on the front page. For anyone interested in being part of the national format, FFV is again conducting free “Grassroots Certificate Courses” very soon. You can also speak to anyone from the committee for more info.
In 2011, we have the extremely exciting appoint of a new Coaching Director “Billy Rae” to help all the coaches (both experienced and volunteers) and players achieve the best of their abilities.
A special welcome to all those boys and girls who are joining us for the first time and I sincerely hope your time with us is both enjoyable and productive. For some of you, this will be the first time your children participate in a sport. We hope that this is the beginning of many years of fun and excitement and new friendships. Whether you are 5 or just turned 16 years old, we are in a position where we can offer players of any standard, a team to play in. All we will ask is that everyone abides by the clubs rules and codes of behaviour and ‘pitch’ in and offer some help every now and then.
I would like to wish you all the best of luck for the up-coming season and if you have any enquiries they can be directed to any committee member. We are available at the club most training nights and match days to help. Let your time here with us be enjoyable.
Sincerely Yours
Rob Harrington
President