June Update

Posted: 7th June, 2008

Last weekend saw a mixed bag of results for our juniors (as you would expect). Some highlights were:

• U15 girls getting a good draw against Peninsula to earn their first point of the season
• 13Ds winning to move to 2nd on the ladder
• 14Cs winning to move to 2nd on the ladder
• Two very strong results in the U15 boys with two 6-0 wins
• U15A side remaining undefeated and 0 conceded goals!
• U16A team scoring a good 2-1 win and
• An amazing 11-0 win to the U18s (should have been 25-0!)

Again I would like to emphasise that we are proud of all our teams and that I am personally as pleased that our U16 girls travelled all the way to Meadow Park and battled all day as I am about the U18 boys winning so comfortably.

Football is not just about winning, it is about character. I know that in the juniors we have character in spades.

I am also wrapped that we produce some of the nicest kids going around. In my travels as a junior parent I see some very ordinary behaviour from our opponents and I have nothing but positive things to say about our kids. This is something that the Club and all parents involved should be proud of.

We've had a bumpy start to the season but if you look at our reserves you'll see a quality team. Most of them have come though our junior ranks. When you look at our U18s you'll also see a quality team, most of them coming through our junior ranks. So in spite of a bit of a hiccup early on, have no doubt that we are doing a lot of things right and will continue to do so.

Results:

Grounds

I am hearing some rumblings about ground allocations again…

I addressed this issue in detail with the coaches early in the season and asked them to pass on the information to parents. Here are the main points:

• The main pitch is not in good repair and the drainage is faulty. Despite the new surface and increased drainage the surface is still not good. I have recently found out that it appears as though the new drainage has been connected to the old drainage (which was not working properly) and as a result is now also not working. The Club has been in contact with the Council and we understand that there will be action to resolve the issue (verti-drilling the surface and cleaning the existing drainage)
• The main pitch must be fit for use by the senior men. Last week the reserves played on the top park to protect the main park. The financial implications on the club if a home game is lost are significant.
• The side and back pitches are not large enough for senior games, so if the Bayside FA senior teams are playing at home they will be using the top park and, in an emergency, the main park.
• Grounds are allocated as evenly as possible at each age group. We cannot ensure even allocation across age groups because of the clashes with senior teams.
• We have requested that Council mow and flatten the side and back pitches as often as they can.
• Council will not repair the side and back pitches whilst we are in Stage 3a restrictions. There are Council funds set aside to put sprinklers on the side and back pitches but the works will not be scheduled whilst we are in Stage 3a restrictions.

The Club is not happy with the quality of the side, back and sub junior pitches but to date have been unable to convince Council to do anything about it. Perhaps it is time for our members to ask the question of our local MPs or Frankston councillors. "Why can't we get quality pitches for our kids?"

John Heskins
Vice President & Junior Co-ordinator