State of Play

2020 -  Annus Horribilus or an Opportunity

If you visited a Fortune Teller in mid 2019 and he/she looked into their crystal ball and told you, " Next year, every meeting you will go to will be in your kitchen and you will be wearing a T.shirt and pyjama pants" you would have asked for your money back.

If they then told you that every meeting would start with the words, "I can't hear you. Can you hear me? Down in the bottom left corner - tap to unmute" you may have well taken pity on them and referred them to a pschiatric clinic.

We are living in strange times.

These strange times though create opportunity. Time to get plans done, reset, relaunch. This is the time we should be working harder than ever.

Rooms

Well, they are up and happening. If you went down to the rooms today you would see rough blue paint outlines of the new building footprint (as long as the rain hasn't washed them away). 

I met the Project and Site Manager their by chance the other day and the aim is for an August 31st start. However, council would like to push this back 2 weeks to match the anticipated end of stage 4 restrictions. The further the start gets pushed out, the less chance of them being ready for season 2021 so let's hope.

The tender was awarded to a company called Ducon.

PA and Scorebox

Council budget was passed last night and after much lobbying $10k (item number 1192) was set aside for our new scorebox. All planning permits are now in place and we are just waiting on the covalesence or one E. Dekleuver's hip to commence.

The internal component of the  PA system is nearly complete. We are aiming to put the optic fibre line in shortly to connect the rooms to the scorebox and also allow external sound. Just waiting for Barkers to complete his amazing false wall so the 85 inch TV can finally move out of my office.

The cricket club and junior football club have also committed agreed contributions to this large and expensive piece of infrastructure and we also thank the Bendigo Bank Balnarring for their generous support of this community asset.

Sox

If you ordered new socks, it is just another box creating a lovely warehouse atmosphere in my home office. 

We are trying to work out amongst these restrictions when and how to get them to you but don't fret, we do have them.

Cap 2021

Just to keep you up to date, the adjusted salary caps in response to COVID -19 for 2021 are $100k for Division One and $90k for Division Two. A drop of $50k and $60k respectively.

Footballs

The mystery continues. We ordered a supply of training balls at season start. No one has seen these but the League are claiming that one of our players picked them up.

If anyone knows anything about these or has stored them at their house and forgotten to tell anyone please let us know. 

AGL

AGL has completed the required Environmental Effects Statement for the Gas Import and Pipeline Project. The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm 26th August.

Whilst AGL is a valued sponsor of the club we urge everyone to read the available literature (mind you, the EES statement is around 12 000 pages) which is fairly abundant and make your own mind up based on reasoned argument and deliberation. The line we have taken as a club from the outset is that we are happy to be a platform for any such debate, as long as it is respectful and courteous, based on fact and not emotion.

POS 

Some of you may have noticed our Square POS system introduced behind the bar late last year.

The system was deemed so successful that we have now invested in more equipment to roll it out in the canteen next year. Julie will be up and about with this gear.

Nick Gracie

Most of you will be aware of the tragic passing of ex player Nick Gracie late last week.

Both brothers, Pat and James have played for the club. Pat as late as 2018 in the U19's. Parents Andrew and Lisa have been heavily involved with the club and we extend our deepest condolences. It is a horrible loss.

We are working hard to invest in our club Welfare infrastructure to support all of those involved with the club; players, supporters, administrators. We all know of times of doubt. Hopefully it is fleeting. It is when it becomes prolonged that we need to seek help, support and guidance.

Currently we have a Welfare Officer in Dave Evans and Sports Chaplain in Angela Cutting. Angela is new to the club so will not have officially met her yet. We are also in the process of developing our club Welfare Plan. 

We have also taken on board Gamechanger and as a result of that, are excited to announce two player 'Mental Health Ambassadors'.

Those ambassadors are;

Football - Brad Arnold. 

Yes, not only are we super excited to have a legend and hugely respected player back on board for 2021, Brad has put his hand up to be a contact point for players who would like to chat and help promote mental health at CPFNC

Netball - Karly Wappett.

An absolute positive energy around the club. Karly is a revelation and a superstar. Making a huge commitment in weekly travel from way up north to be at the nest, she is an inspiration.

John Kenter  - Head of Football

Some of the guys at training before things ground to a screaming halt may have noticed a new face hanging around. The intention was to have a formal welcome but unfortunately, this never did quite eventuate.

The face you may have seen and will see more of is that of John Kenter. John was a champion player at YCW and Frankston and even crossed paths playing with Steve Hamill at the Dolphins. John spent a lot of time coaching U19's at YCW and we were just lucky enough that he now lives in Hastings working at Speedies Land Surveyors.

Above all, John is simply a fantastic person who is very approachable and just another quality person to the club who is happy to get involved and help oversee Football Operations. 

Great to have you on board John and we are very lucky to have you.