This time last year, I was exhausted. We'd just come off the back off three weeks of trials and A Night on the Fields at Leonay Oval. What a difference a year makes. I'm still exhausted but for all the wrong reasons. The last three weeks have been mentally exhausting. The committee has been planning the last three weeks of trials at Leonay Oval to have them all washed out, except for three Sunday games we did manage to play. I've seen many a Facebook post, Tweet and text about how disappointed the kids are. Believe it or not, before I even saw these, I already knew that. I have two boys of my own and I've been planning these trials since November last year. I know how disappointing it is when the first footy games of the year are called off. Our committee has worked their butts off every week to stock the canteen, order meat and bread, and prepare the fields for footy. And every week we've had to call them off, we've been equally disappointed as the kids. We cannot help the weather. Heavy rain makes it unsafe to play. If you'd like to talk about how they played in the mud in the old days, that's great. I too love to talk about yesteryear but we live in 2014 now and have to deal with the rules of 2014. We have a duty of care to our players and we are financially liable to any damage that happens on Leonay Oval. The committee shoulders that responsibility. We wanted our trials to go ahead just as much, if not more than the kids, but we are the grown ups and we have grown up responsibilities. Sadly, even though we cannot help the weather, there were people who wanted to criticise decisions that we made. As I said earlier, I'm exhausted. Our president Pete Foster is exhausted. Our committee is exhausted. The season hasn't even begun! It's mentally draining to have people criticise you as a volunteer when all you are doing is your absolute best. And we're not doing our best for ourselvesl, we're doing our best for all 398 Emu Plains JRLFC players and their families. Hopefully these very loud criticisms we have heard or received via conversations, phone calls, texts, Facebook posts and messages, tweets and the good old rumour mill, are simply a vocal minority. Thankfully there were some positive people in amongst the negativity and I thank every single person who said, "You're doing the right thing", or "You can't control the weather". Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope that's how the majority of Emu families feel. Our coaches have also been working hard to assess our players during training with the knowledge that they might not get to see their players in a game situation before having to split sides for Round 1. I thank them for their efforts in what has been one of the most difficult pre-seasons the district has experienced. Every club has had to cancel trials. Every club is selecting teams based on little or no game time. Coaches will name their sides this week and we know this is based on training alone. That is the way it will be for us and many other clubs in 2014. Lucky, this is just a game and there are much much worse things that can happen to us than rain and missing three games of footy. I believe they call this a #firstworldproblem. This is the greatest game of all but it is just a game. Please remember that. Starting tomorrow night, 2014 teams will be announced in each age group. It's not ideal that we haven't played a trial but there is no time left. With round 1 kicking off on the 26/27 April and Easter and ANZAC Day falling in the school holidays, we simply have to pick teams based on training. If you have a problem with any decision the committee or a coach has made so far in 2014 please do not hesitate to put it in writing to [email protected] Better yet, if you think you have something to contribute in regards to ideas and opinions about running the club, you can find a committee nomination form on our website. Here's hoping for sunny days and a dry winter so we can play some footy and have some fun. I think that's what it's all about. On behalf of the committee, Megan Townes Club Secretary
25 Comments
Tara Allison
14/4/2014 01:46:21 pm
Brilliant! You are absolutely right!!!
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Kylie Schempp
14/4/2014 01:56:03 pm
I would like to say "job well done" to all on the committee. It's not an easy job! I think that all the kids have been disappointed ( and so have the adults!) with all the rain! Hopefully it's not like this for the whole year! Thanks for keeping everyone informed. And for the critics - put up or shut up!
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Megan Townes
14/4/2014 02:02:48 pm
Thanks Tara :) I know you understand
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Megan Townes
14/4/2014 02:03:13 pm
Thanks for the support Kylie
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Heidi Nout
14/4/2014 02:03:26 pm
Well done committee. You are doing a brilliant job and should not have to justify yourselves. It really is a "no brainer" when it comes to rain and counsel closures. In relation to the negative feedback,to use another codes quote - "Just let it go through to the keeper"!
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Danny
14/4/2014 02:05:34 pm
I love the last bit, don't know how many people will offer. It's easier to critisize.
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Megan Townes
14/4/2014 02:06:08 pm
Thanks Heidi :)
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Kevin Canning
14/4/2014 02:06:57 pm
Well done Meg's!
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Megan Townes
14/4/2014 02:17:19 pm
;) Thanks Kevin!
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Shane Wilson
14/4/2014 02:55:49 pm
Your all filling a pair of shoes I'd hate to be in right now. And your making them fit so well. Committee and Coaches, You got our support all the way. Well done guys.
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Megan Townes
14/4/2014 02:56:23 pm
Thanks Shane. Much appreciated!
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Matt Parker
14/4/2014 04:10:56 pm
My son is an under 6's transfer and is already showing more confidence in himself in such little time he's had with emu plains, due to the way the coaching staff communicate with the young fullas, and has already made some new friends (as kids do at that) but never the less he's enjoying himself. Yes he's a little upset that he hasn't played with his new friends yet but at his age he understands why he hasn't played yet. I think the committee and all staff involved with the club have done an exceptional job so far in trying to orginise the start of the season with this crapy weather we've all been dealing with lately. Unfortunately we can control Mother Nature as she's more powerful then all of us. I'm more then sure that out of 398 players including their parents like myself, atleast 90% of us very happy and appreciative the way you guys have delt with things so and kept us well informed of the situation. So on behalf of myself and many other parent we thank you (the committee) for being so organised and caring for the wellbeing of our children.
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 12:23:51 pm
Thanks Matt. Much appreciated
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Grant Newell
14/4/2014 05:11:30 pm
Thank you Megan and all involved. Your efforts are much appreciated.
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 12:24:49 pm
Thanks Grant :)
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Jenny Wilson
14/4/2014 10:33:30 pm
Well done guys, you are all doing an amazing job!
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 12:25:00 pm
Thanks Jen :)
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Brett McElroy
15/4/2014 12:23:06 pm
Well said Megan you have and always will have my full support I see first hand what you have to deal with on a day to day bassis. Also needs to be said there are several other people who put in a lot of work and effort I won't name them as I'm sure they know who they are
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 12:25:54 pm
LOL Thanks Macca
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Jason Warburton
15/4/2014 01:42:10 pm
Very well summed up Megan the whole district has suffered. But spare a thought, some don't want the rain while others elsewhere still pray for it . Nearly every club is in the same boat. There will always be those who are never happy with decisions but wont offer up any assistance to make things better or easier. Job well done
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deon
15/4/2014 02:32:23 pm
I scour the junior sites looking for info on games and I actually coach with another club!!!! this club is one of the biggest and we have had the same deal with trials..unfortunately most teams are like this for the start of 2014...ive actually had to select my side with no trials....so please support the mums and dads that run these wonderful clubs...im sure they are doing all they can
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 02:38:37 pm
Like :)
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Megan Townes
15/4/2014 02:39:02 pm
Thanks mate
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Wayne Douglass
27/4/2014 12:02:00 pm
There will always be knockers.
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tom Pittman
4/5/2014 04:45:17 am
I have been involved in weekend sport since I was 4 warrimoo url, red back fbc , blue mountains rugby club , hawkesbury valley . The work that Megan , peter , Matt and all the committee is brilliant males it possible for our children to play footy on Saturdays if you ever get asked to give them a hand jump at the chance and realize what that do it would be over 10x what the rest of us do the Megan doing a great job.
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