Welcome all to the start of the Winter season. Again we are looking at fielding approximately 100 teams in the Saints colours. Congratulations to players, coaches and team managers who were successful in the Summer finals series. It was a pleasure to be at the Lilydale and Kilsyth stadiums and see our club so well represented.

I must take this opportunity to thank our committee members who work so hard in formalising teams, memberships and uniforms for the 700+ players who play for the Saints. I would ask parents to support these people by accepting their judgements on team make up. Many of our co-ordinators no longer have children involved in the club but continue to give of their time and effort because of loyalty to the ‘Saints’. If you have an issue, try putting yourself in their shoes to have a 360 degree view of the apparent problem, you may find that it is not as much of a concern as your child may think it is at first. Our coordinators do their best and will take on board requests but ‘you cannot please all the people all of the time’!

Since our last newsletter the State Government has developed a new ‘Code of Conduct’ to battle the ‘Ugly Parent syndrome’ effective as of July 1.
We at the Saints applaud this action and fully support the move. We will be reviewing our own Code of Conduct to ensure it reflects that of the Association and the Government. I make no apologies for the fact that we the Committee will act on breeches to this code. Our Constitution allows for us to suspend or even terminate the membership of individuals whose actions bring the Club in disrepute by failing to meet this Code. Verbal abuse of opposition players, officials, referees or officials of our own club will not be condoned. We as adults have an obligation to the younger generation to ‘role model’ correct behavior at sporting events. Sport by its nature develops passions, but they should not be allowed to control what we say or do if it falls outside of what would be considered reasonable controlled behavior. Remember your kids and those of others are always watching and listening!

The committee is at present looking at making the payment of fees even more convenient and more will be coming concerning that. It is however, crucial that fees are paid on time. In the past the club has had sizable amounts of money outstanding due to tardy payment of fees. Unfortunately bills continue to roll in regularly that must be paid. To address this any member who does not pay their fees by due dates or have not contacted the Membership Manager re payment will not be placed in teams for the coming season until fees for the past and coming season are paid! We thank the majority of members who pay promptly knowing you will continue to do so.

Finally thank you to the coaches and team managers of all of our teams for the coming season. We will be having clinics to support you over the season, so please try to attend and share ideas, drills and meet new coaches - we are never too old to learn!

JEFF McMASTER
PRESIDENT

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