AFL Gippsland is excited to announce the launch of the Gippsland Junior Football Retention Project, a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing the enjoyment, participation, and long-term retention of young footballers across the region.
Recognising the vital role junior football plays in the Gippsland community, this project will work closely with clubs, leagues, players, parents, and coaches to develop and implement effective strategies for a thriving junior football landscape.
The vision is to create an environment where young players feel more connected, supported, and passionate about the sport, leading to increased participation and a stronger overall football community.
The project will unfold in phases, commencing with a crucial “Discover” phase focused on gathering insights from the football community. As part of this initial stage, AFL Gippsland is calling on all interested stakeholders to contribute their valuable perspectives through consultation sessions and surveys.
AFL Gippsland invites all members of the junior football community, players, parents/guardians, coaches, and club/league administrator, to book a 60-minute online consultation session to share their experiences and ideas.This is a fantastic opportunity to directly influence the future of junior football in Gippsland.
Consultations can be booked online.
In addition to the consultation sessions, AFL Gippsland is also launching a series of surveys tailored to different groups within the junior football community, including players, parents/guardians, coaches and club/league administrators. These surveys will provide valuable data to inform the project’s direction.All information regarding the Gippsland Junior Football Retention Project, including updates and survey links, can be found at the AFL Gippsland website.
AFL Gippsland region manager Tim Cotter is leading the project and is enthusiastic about the collaborative approach.
“We believe that by working together with our community, we can ensure a bright future for junior football in Gippsland, fostering a lifelong love of the game for our young participants,” Cotter said.
This project is being supported by a dedicated team including Mark Answerth (president, Churchill Football Netball Club), Ken Hutchinson (junior development officer, Mid Gippsland Football Netball League), Damian Blackford (president, Combined Saints Junior Football Club), Nicole Bertuna (AFL Gippsland club development lead), Clinton Taylor (football operations, Moe Football Netball Club), James Blandford (vice president, Lindenow Football Netball Club), Luke Short (committee, Inverloch-Kongwak Junior Football Club), Shara McAuley (president, Warragul and District Junior Football League), Wayne Langford (committee, Sale City Junior Football Club) and Bobbie Lee Blay (league operations, West Gippsland, South Gippsland and Traralgon and District Junior Football League).
“We urge everyone involved in junior football across Gippsland to engage with this project. Your input is crucial in helping us develop strategies that will ensure the health and sustainability of our clubs and leagues, and most importantly, a lifelong love of the game for all our players,” Cotter said.
