A message for the 2014 EPJRLFC Community for the 2014 season

The 2014 rugby league season is upon us. A team of EPJRLFC volunteers have been working behind the scenes in the off-season to organise trials, clothing, registration, coaches and fundraising events.

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome back returning Emu families as well as welcome transferring players and new players to rugby league. Though our sport can often receive a bad wrap in the media, our club is proud to promote itself as a family club where every kid can have a go at rugby league, develop their skills and build lifelong friendships with the players and coaching staff. We look forward to an exciting 2014 season that reinforces these values within our community.

For our mini-football sides, we are all about participation. This year, the Under 7s will not play grand finals for the first time. This will bring us into line with NRL rules, and other districts who have played non-competitive competitions for many years. They will play a gala day, almost identical to the one they played in the Under 6s. With both Under 6s and Under 7s both playing non-competitive football, it is important that our coaching staff and parents encourage sportsmanship and skill development as the priorities.

When it comes to the age groups from Under 8s through to Under 15s we have one coach lead the entire age group until the second trial and then teams are named for the third trial and start of competition. All players in the age group are eligible for the 1sts side. Team selections can prove to be a point of contention. At EPJRLFC we want to make sure kids are playing in the right division for their ability and skill so while in the 6s and 7s we will accommodate kids playing with friends or cousins, as they move up through the age groups it's important for their safety and the safety of their opposition, that they play in the correct division.

The following 'rules' are good ones to keep in mind as a parent or player in the Saturday competition:

It is important to remember that our club is run by volunteers. From the committee, to the coaching staff, to the helpers on the canteen and BBQ. Nobody is paid to do this 'job' but for many of us, we find ourselves happily committing many hours each week to EPJRLFC. Please be conscious of this if you have a complaint about club or team operations.

If you do have a problem with the club, a team, or an individual, it is important that you keep this in mind. Any complaints should be directed in writing to me at [email protected] or via a letter handed to me in-person. Hopefully there is no need for this throughout the 2014 season but with over 400 families in our community, it is literally impossible to please everyone so if you do have a problem, please be respectful and follow the correct procedure to seek a resolution.

As happens every season, rumours circulate around the district and within clubs about player transfers, coaching staff and club politics. Please don't contribute to rumours and hearsay. it doesn't reflect well on our club or individuals within it. If you would like to confirm information you may have heard through the grapevine, please contact me or our President Pete Foster.

As mentioned, our club is run by volunteers. Each week, we have a BBQ roster for when we play at Leonay Oval. Our canteen is our major source of income and we rely on teams provide TWO people to the BBQ in the 30-60minutes before their team takes the field. Parents are already at the field as their child is warming up. We do not keep anyone chained to the BBQ, I promise. Five minutes before your child's game starts, you can head off to cheer them on. Teams who do not provide volunteers are letting us down in a big way. You are at the fields anyway, please do your part for your team and the club, and turn up on time. Most people will only have to 'work' on the BBQ once, maybe twice, for the whole season. This helps out those people who are at the fields from 6am to 6pm most Saturdays and 8 x Sundays throughout the entire season.

In summary, we are a proud family club at Emu Plains JRLFC and our community is a fabulous one. If we can continue to work together to support our kids, and wider community, that tradition will continue. Please help out where you can, encourage positive sportsmanship with your kids, and respect those volunteers who commit their time and passion to rugby league.

We look forward to a fabulous 2014 at Emu Plains JRLFC and hope your kids have fun and develop friendships that will last long after the boots are hung up for the last time.

Kind regards,

Megan Townes
Club Secretary

E M U  P L A I N S  J R L F C
Established 1967
PO Box 16, Emu Plains NSW 2750
Telephone 0423 512 848

www.emuplainsjrlfc.com.au