Still a member

What is happening?

Besides this jam packed edition - Thanks Megan.

The speculation continues unabated. What seems probable one week becomes impossible the next. A Federal Health Officer will make an announcement one week, only to be contradicted by an expert or State Health Minister the next week or vice versa.

Whilst generally we have been successful in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, the Singapore situation illustrates the potential if we become complacent.

So where does this leave us for a possible season recommencement?

Basically the planets have to align. We are governed primarily by government direction and resource allocation, that is grounds/courts availability later in the year. We are also constrained by the financial reality. Sponsors being able to assist due to their own battles plus continued fixed running costs imposes a financial reality everyone is facing.

The committee's position is that even if government give the go ahead, it is impossible to have a restart if spectators cannot attend or numbers are curtailed. Even then, we must be able to sell food and drink to help offset costs. This is all based on the asssumption that crowds will attend with normal behaviour patterns pre virus. This is the position of most clubs on the peninsula and there are obviously a lot of what ifs that would dicate another few pages of this newsletter.

There are also many possibilities in terms of format if a green light eventually does occur.  This will have to be accepted by clubs against the backdop of the date and what realistically can be achieved within the date parameters. Add to the timing mix is how long coaches/players need in terms of training to resume assuming the twang of hamstrings is to be avoided.

The short of it is, all clubs including ourselves are filling out a league questionnaire to try and arrive at a consensus, if the conditions arise for a recommencement. The AFL has pushed down guidelines for any possible player payments so we most probably will be seeking some player input in the coming days as this will help dictate what, if any, recommencement format we can suppport from a financial perspective.

At the end of the day, it appears there is a will to play. However, it has to be viable for us and all clubs to do this.

Criblotto

You have probably seen Laura's posts re Criblotto. In light of above and with limited income streams available, if you are in a position to be part of Criblotto, it will greatly assist the club. We have had multiple winners of the pool already i.e $1000 won. It is a new initiative this year and has pretty much run seamlessly - except ofr those who have not picked up a win yet.

All you need to outlay is $10 a week if you find a partner or $20 without one. Two to four coffees for a 1 in 45 chance to wtn $500 weekly. You couldn't get better odds and you are supporting the club.

If you care about your club and you are able to support, go to our web page https://www.cribpointfnc.com/season-2020/criblotto and get on it.  If we can finish selling out this game, then it will be a huge benefit to the club.

Double winners to date; Kaylene Cook, Tim Beech, Gniel Family, Michael Shephard, Tony Fly.

Numbers that are left and have not one yet; 29, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45

Building Works

Well, it's official. The first people to use our beautiful new surface were those locals wanting their dog to have a new space to crap. It does look fantastic (the oval, not the crap) and on an optimistic note, the extra time gives the surface time to knit.

Lots though still in the pipeline. Our plans are all approved for the new scorers/coaching box and we are just waiting for the Building Permit. We have been successful in council's pre budget submissions for $10k towards its construction.

The pavillion pre electrical work is nearly completed and we are anticpating a June commencement of the building of the new change rooms. 

We have also been successful in a contribution of funds from one of our major sponsors, Bendigo Bank Balnarring towards a long needed audio/visual system for the rooms. We see this as a community contribution as many of you would know how many funerals have been held at the rooms in recent times with any audio/viusal being begged, borrowed but not quite stolen. Thank you to Greg and your team at the Bendigo Balnarring and to Dave Shephard and Mark Laughton for making this possible. We are hopeful of support from the other coinhabitant clubs for this community asset.

We are still in negotiaton with council in terms of retention of the Grandstand. Council's attitude is if we want it, then we don't need new changerooms. Our argument is that it has signifigance to the community, it is an asset and we will maintain it. Council are currently putting together a list of criteria to be met to retain it. Watch this space.

Merchandise and things socks

Our end of Feb merchandise order has been delivered.  If you were on the ball, these were put out for distribution by our hard working Sam Perry last Thursday night at the club rooms (plus Connor and Kelsy for assistance).

We cannot have pick ups by individuals at various times. The current situation does not help but it's impractical for anyone to keep going to the club to retrieve it. A new date for pick up in about 3 weeks will be advertised again. Or hopefully, before a season recommencement. This also includes bags for player sponsors.

If you ordered after February 28th, this was to be included in our end of March order but the season postponement curtailed this. If you ordered after this date and we did not have your item in stock or we were not able to sneak the order in, we will be contacting you to issue a refund. 

If you ordered a beanie, we have asked the supplier to redo these as we were not happy with the colour. If you ordered football socks, season 2019 AGM dictated that football playing socks would change this year to black, teal and white. This is a custom order and are due in soon also. In most probability we will make socks and beanies avaialable for the next pick up night in about 3 weeks. What if I already have black socks you ask? We will advise you about this in due course, if there is a season recommencement. 

Memberships and Sponsorships

If you paid for a membership this year or obtained a player sponsor and there is no season, we are will be happy to roll this over into season 2021. If there is a part season, we will adjust these on a pro rata basis and refund.

We are requesting the same of our loyal sponsors. If there is no season, we hope you will allow us to carry your sponsorship over for the 2021 season. If there is a part season, we will be in contact to negotiate what best works for you and the club collectively.

Podcasts

There is a whisper that the long hyped and anticpated Crib Point FNC podcast may finally be growing some legs. Technical and planning components are being bedded down and creative genius is urgently being sought. 

This is hot on the heels of the Phantom Game call, which to date has been a phantom in itself. But when it does appear, you won't want to miss it.

If you have been following our social media posts, we have also been successful for a $500 grant from Reconciliation Victoria to go towards some equipment in this space.

Catch the Phantom Call of the Rd 4 Hastings ANZAC game on the last page, featuring Chief caller Johnny Lasagne.

Cheers,

Steve

Newsletter Issue 3 2020

We would love players, members etc to contribute to the Newsletter. If you have an article, photo or suggestions please email Megan - megan.w.cribpointfnc@gmail.com

The more content, the quicker the editions.