PRESIDENT'S REPORT.................A must to read!
MARYBOROUGH and DISTRICT HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
2013 President’s Report
As you read this we come to the end of another enthusiastic year of Hockey here in Maryborough. There have been such a number of achievements and progressive goals attained making it difficult to realize twelve months has passed, so much done in such a short time. Naturally much of this is done by our fantastic Volunteer base, and I would like to thank you all for your tireless work and dedication into reaching so many positive outcomes.
I might say firstly what has not been a good outcome for the foundation of our future is the critically low level of new entries into the junior ranks. The prime indicator is the plight of the Under 13 Boys for second year running. We are shrinking at about 15% per annum, and this needs to be turned around. Contrary to popular thinking it is not the MDHA’s responsibility to provide the Affiliated Clubs with a new influx of players each year. This is the primary duty of each and every Club. What the Association can do is Facilitate programs and activities that provide a conduit through which new players are attracted to Hockey; however, to retain these arrivals the Clubs must become responsible for the continued and sustained involvement of the athlete. As a holistic group we need to come together in the coming weeks and collectively construct a recruitment program that together will begin to increase the younger participation and retention levels.
Some of our successful achievements for 2013 began with the increased partnership of Hervey Bay Hockey with the Under 13 Boys competition being played in both Centers. I understand that it was a little difficult at first; however I applaud all the players, parents, coaches and managers for persevering and turning it into a rewarding experience for all. This is good foundation work the two Associations can use to build on to ensure longevity.
The weather once more presented some difficulty at start of 2013, especially with the Premier League competition, in particularly Bundaberg’s flood devastation. Again I applaud the MDHA Affiliates for their understanding and patience that enabled Bundaberg to remain active. This allowed them a solid step from which they were able to reinvigorate the game and play out a season of sorts. They have much to do and we wish them well in their future workings. We at MDHA can still yet play a role here.
A major feature of our year has to be the HOCKEY ZONE event. Once more our Clubs embraced the opportunity to showcase what Maryborough Hockey has and is. The Coaching sessions were well done as were the Club snippets and vision of juniors at play. The icing on the cake of course was the live Streaming to U-tube of the two Finals, and both games showcased the quality and depth of talent and skill this District possesses. By now we are all aware of the good feedback that was generated from this and the TV version of the show. Stay tuned for more.
Our Web Site and pages received a tremendous lift this year, thanks to Diane Fraser. Current and up to date information so readily available at the click of a button. Result and photos from local and State tournaments as they happen, along with lists of the achievements of our Representative players. Following this was establishing the Facebook page driven by Lynelle Nissen, which gives instant information and an opportunity for members to provide feedback and comment instantly.
As proven by our audience on the Grand Final day. Both these media tools, Web site and Facebook will be a critical part of our communication with wider community going forward.
Facilities once built forever reminding us of their existence. When they are good we enjoy them, so it is an ongoing planning and operational activity that keeps our members enjoying ‘their’ experiences, at our house. This year it was necessary to service the roof of the stadium. Patching out rusted panels, replacing every roof screw, and adding some roof ventilators has given the stadium an extended lease. Our field lights have continued to plague us with gremlins, and thanks to the efforts of Peter Rook and the ‘Gillespie’ boys we put the season behind us. Fortunate or not in recent weeks a major fault was uncovered in the system which involved a major rewiring of lights feed. Once more the boys rescued us. During the next few months more work will be carried out to improve the whole system for 2014.
During the earlier part of 2013 we noted extensive wear and tear problems with the turf, despite our best efforts to control this it rapidly became obvious we could not sustain the carpet through the 2014 season as planned. A subcommittee was tasked with developing the best positive outcome and costing strategies for our Associations future. A huge amount of effort was given by all the members and the deliberation and eventually the outcome reached. A contract for replacement of Carpet and shock- pad has been signed with work to begin in the New Year. We have applied for Jupiter’s Funding, and await outcome. Meantime a financial arrangement has been agreed with the ANZ Bank to fund the project fully if so required. This will take us once more into debt for next eight plus years, and is major reason we need to recruit new members.
The Federal Government handed us a funding package to assist with lighting more fields to provide greater opportunity for Clubs to offer their players better flexibility in training times. It was hoped to have this in place for 2014 however we must wait until July to receive the funds. Meantime we have applied to Queensland Government for top up funds to maximize the opportunity to do two fields. We will formalize our project when all funding options are settled.
During 2013 MDHA reviewed the constitution and has elected to adopt a new version. This has yet to be ratified by Office of Fair Trade.
On a sadder note; In May this year our former ‘Grounds Keeper’, Tony Pioch, had to retire from the work force and his position, for medical reasons. Tony has given the MDHA many years of good service tending the grounds and assisting with managing the canteen stocks and Saturday morning shifts. It was a shock to us all, the sudden manner in which Tony was debilitated. I wish to “Thank” Tony for those years, and his work, which on occasion went beyond normal time into a Volunteering role on his time.
This of course left us with a serious managerial problem to resolve. Fortune came our way in the way of Howard Logan. Howie started as a fill in whilst the MDHA managed Tony through his diagnosis stages. It was never his intent to go full time. What a fantastic result for MDHA however when the time came to offer the position on a full time basis, and Howard enthusiastically accepted the role. Since coming to grips with the jobs nuances he has made it his own and is doing splendidly.
MDHA part funds the cost of the Development Officers role with Hockey Queensland. Early in 2013 HQ employed a new Development Manager tasked with reviewing the States development programs. MDHA was invited to have input into this process and spent an evening with Grant Noyce. The new development draft was tabled and accepted at HQ November forum. There are better outcomes planned for MDHA and I trust you will embrace the future direction; as it has been constructed around the feedback MDHA provided. Thank you to those who participated in the process.
Our RDO has continued working within Schools providing activities, as well as events and programs at the grounds. Ongoing development of athletes and coaches by inviting specialist coaches to conduct training and education sessions. We must realize that our professionalism and organizational skills are always on display in front of the parent and so we need to stay on top and shine through for our game. Cheryll is also part time Administrator, and a Volunteer Secretary, as such she puts a lot of time, (some paid but not all), and into behind the scene work to ensure our seasons go smoothly. I am sure she finds the help others offer at times most beneficial. I thank Cheryll for her efforts during the past year.
Finance is a task and a half within the organization. Over the years your Treasurer, Kathy Rogers has done an exceptional job. Fortunately for Kathy this year Bill came to her aid and volunteered as assistant to the treasurer, later taking on the Canteen Convener role also. Kathy’s work load has included dealing with loan establishment, controlling spending, debt collecting and budgets. Through Kathy’s efforts over the past seven years the loan is all but extinguished. The remnants shall be rolled into the new loan for turf replacement, with possibility of being paid out before we start spending on the new work.
MDHA stands tall amongst her peers across the State. We regularly host State titles, including most recently, Indoor Hockey Events. The new Roster promises even more over next few years, however, none will compare to the 2014 Masters Women’s 30th Anniversary event we have been give privilege to host. The Masters Committee is full throttle now and will be well prepared. Expectations from the HQ Family are high. First week end in May next year shall be extraordinary I am sure.
Finally I would like to thank all our Affiliated Clubs. It is from your ranks that the MDHA draws on her volunteers to carry out much of the work and activities. Without that support we would struggle, or worse, charging you more to pay staff. Working together binds us into a family with a common goal, to remain sustainable and provide the game to our present and future generations.
Once again I have enjoyed my year in the big chair, and trust that I have assisted in some way to maintain and grow the Maryborough Hockey circle. It needs to be said that my role depends on the ongoing support offered by the members of the Management Committee and I thank you all for surviving me once more. It is with pleasure that I have accepted to go around once more and I trust some of you will be joining me for the same. Notwithstanding that, new faces are and will be welcomed to the Management board. I look forward to an enthusiastic and prosperous 2014.
David Moore ASM
President Maryborough Hockey Association 2013