Hello to all parents and players.
As like many other clubs 2022 has been a return to football after 2 very stressful and affecting years in this great game, it has been an overwhelming start but we are back and looking forward to a full season this year.

SO WHATS BEEN HAPPENING AND CURRENT UPDATE:
– TEAM ALLOCATIONS:
We have had a huge influx of kids come through later than normal this year and to give every kid an opportunity to play we have given coaches ample time to review players and decide their teams. THIS IS NOW DONE. Coaches have their lists of teams and I have asked them to chat with you all this week to share with you what the teams look like. YES this has probably affected opportunity for most teams to have friendly games and apologies for that.
We have taken this onboard and are already looking at options in 2023 that registrations and team allocations are done earlier. You still have 2 weeks so get a game going before season start.
A final version of the team lists will be posted up on TeamApp hopefully later this week , It is currently pending the reconciliation of registrations

FFV FIXTURES:
FFV fixtures were released last night 11th April. I have tagged the correct team to their competition and have shared this with your coaches.
Please work with them to get the details of the competition. Once you have it you can either access the fixture via web or download the GAMEDAY APP. Link to fixtures attached: https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-8746

- REGISTRATIONS:
With many late entries of players this year , Registrations have been delayed as well. This has in turn delayed many other things ( one of them being team allocations. ).
Now that team allocations are final Coaches have been asked to work with Erica and Colin to cross check and chase up final registration of players. REMEMBER NO PAY NO PLAY. We cannot allow a player to play if not yet registered , this is due to insurance requirements with FFV. PARENTS: Please work with your coaches this week and ensure your registrations are completed.

- UNIFORMS:
We have seen costs go up in uniforms, freight , FFV costs , Council costs etc.. We looked at options of whether we increase fees again which is not the ideal.
After 2 years of financial strain on all of us the club wanted to keep fees the same for 2022, HOWEVER a sacrifice was needed and the only possible option was to keep the same 2021 uniform for 2022. New players to the club will be handed a uniform however existing players use the same outfit.
IF PLAYERS HAVE OUTGROWN THEIR UNIFORM OR A NEW PLAYER : Please work with your coaches and team managers on this who can work with John Lettieri to look at options to upgrade their uniform.
As of 2023 our logo will change removing our 50th year celebration and new uniforms will be distributed. ( we are dealing with suppliers now for next year )

- EQUIPMENT:
We have reviewed all equipment and have made the club decision to invest more monies this year to update equipment where possible.
New balls this year ( to be distributed shortly ), New U8/U9 goals have been purchased , New Bibs have been ordered and more and we will keep updating equipment where we see old to be replaced. We are working with the coaches to see where they need update in their equipment to do their job.

- TEAM MANAGERS:
We do have many parents who have opted once again to be Team Managers this year and for this we thankyou,
WE STILL NEED MORE, We still have some spots left in teams with no team managers and this role is vital to helping the team move through the 2022 season.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS: If you have some time we would be appreciative if you could take on a team manager role. Please discuss with your coaches to see if any spots to take on this role. We will be running a team managers meeting over the next two weeks to prep them up for the season.

- TRAINING DURING EASTER & SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IS STILL GOING AHEAD
Training during Easter and school holidays will still proceed as per normal.
If coaches and parents agree to take a training night off, the club is okay with that , however I have encouraged all coaches to continue training over the next two weeks and arrange any friendly games they can in preparation to 24th April start.

- GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS – WE WANT YOU
As you know a club of this size with over 300 players and over 700 members ( reaching 1000 people ), across 3 different venues needs people to run it . We are always in need and looking for volunteers to help us in the General committee. If you are interested to join please see Colin and John during a training night.

- CLUB COMMS WILL BE SENT VIA TEAMAPP DURING THIS SEASON.
We understand coaches use other forms of Comms at team level at that is fine.
The club however will use TeamApp as our official club Comms for 2022. Once all players are registered , every parent and player will be sent an invite to join TeamApp. we ask you to join so you can see updates from the club

THATS IT FOW NOW. I have a few more updates to give you which will be by end of week but for now the above kicks it off.

If any player or parent has any questions please feel free to contact me on 0427 187 242.

Thankyou and watch this space for more updates

Kind Regards
Tony Kolokythas
WHFC – Whole Club Technical Director
0427 187 242
technicaldirector@whfc.org.au