Editorial: New President Tim Nelson

Tim Nelson

I am honoured to be appointed and entrusted to the role of President of the VAFA.  The VAFA has an outstanding heritage and an unparalleled football sporting brand across Melbourne.  As the leader of the Board, my goal is to ensure we preserve the traditions of the past, whilst navigating change to create our own future and a history that all players, clubs, administrators and the wider amateur community can be proud of.  I have no doubt we are all part of the best community football competition in Victoria and our aspiration over the next five years should be to extend our advantage.

I would like to acknowledge the tireless energy and enthusiasm of Michael Hazell, who has done an outstanding job in developing the competition to the next level across so many facets. Throughout his Presidency Michael has ensured the competition has remained financially robust through an increase in commercial sponsorships. In addition, he has championed club volunteers and overseen an increased investment in umpiring.  A hallmark of Michael’s leadership was that he continued to challenge the status quo and stimulate creative ideas at Board level, with the clubs, players and volunteers always at the core. I am pleased Michael has agreed to stay on the Board for the balance of the year to steer me through the transition.

As a Board we will continue to build on Michael’s legacy, looking to further strengthen our umpire numbers, create new commercial opportunities, protect our amateur status, engage with clubs and offer our best players the opportunities to shine via representative football.

However, the football landscape in Melbourne continues to change and we are confronted by any number of threats to our great game; be it our ability to attract players, sponsors, volunteers, administrators and umpires, find suitable grounds, value amateurism, or simply address the threat from other sporting or entertainment options.  Everyone is spoilt for choice and is time poor and we have to find ways to get more people back involved in footy. It is the view of the Board that the VAFA and our wider community can play a central and proactive leadership role in shaping the future of our great game in Melbourne. To that end, one of the critical tasks the Board will be undertaking immediately is the development and adoption of a new strategic plan as we look forward to 2020.  I believe with consultation we can develop a strategic and operational blueprint that not only takes heed of our challenges and builds on our traditions, but forges new opportunity for continued growth and expansion.

That said, we cannot lose sight of the essence of what we do – play footy!  My personal experience of VAFA encompassed the top grades, senior footy, reserves footy and even Club 18.  I’d still play today if I could.  Whilst the standard of play may be different, in my experience everyone played because they loved footy, enjoyed the camaraderie of their mates, enjoyed the comfort and collegial nature of a club environment, established a network of family and friends that opened life’s opportunities and tasted the spoils of winning and losing  – of being part of something unique and hard to define. After a number of years away from the VAFA interstate and overseas I returned to accept a Board role in 2010. Many people asked me why?   There’s your answer!

We have an exciting season ahead and I look forward to working you with you all.

Good luck to everyone. Go out and embrace footy while you can.