As a new season stretches before us, and on behalf of all our current and future members, I would firstly like to acknowledge and thank an expanding group of people that have spent considerable energy and time in the off season planning for 2012, and beyond.

 

Of particular note here is the recent resignation of Marc Prenty from the role of Junior/Youth Coaching Director, a position he has held for the past three years. Marc has chosen to spend more time at home as a father so we wish him well for the future and thank him for his immense contribution in establishing and promoting various coaching programmes that have materially assisted in lifting the Club’s overall playing strength.

The counterpart to that is the recent appointment of Mr Ryan Shiffman to replace Marc, and I extend a warm welcome to Ryan, on behalf of our Club’s membership. Ryan comes to us following various coaching experiences within the American School and Club scenes, together with a more recent position within the Auckland Football Federation Youth Coaching structure.

 

In addition, I wish to acknowledge the reappointment of Warren Parke as First Team Coach and wish him, his team management and players all the best for the coming season as they strive for promotion to the top playing level.

 

And finally, a new sponsorship agreement has been secured between the Club and Score Sportswear, the importer and distributor of Lotto apparel / equipment. To replace Champs’ previous retail presence, Score have arranged for Shoe Science’s Newmarket retail store to stock Club gear, which shall be available to our membership at discounted prices.

 

Towards the end of last season, it was encouraging to see the commitment of some 25 key Club members who attended a number of workshops aimed at formulating a draft Club Strategic Plan for the future. The Vision “to create a sustainable footballing environment within which our community can participate, succeed and support” was promoted, based on four key outcomes of Sustainability, Game Development and Football Success, Professional Governance and Facilities.

 

Various actions have been suggested with regard to the first three, including a new Constitution that will be put to an EGM of the Club in March 2012, whilst the Facilities issue still remains a “work in progress”.

 

Many of you participated in the public submissions process relating to the recent Draft Orakei Local Board Plan. Your efforts have now been rewarded through the Local Board’s growing realisation of the need for the Club to secure improved facilities and Club delegates are continuing to work diligently as they strive to facilitate the securing of Liston Park as the only economically, and operationally viable, long term solution to creating a hub for Club activities. A decision by the Local Board on the allocation of primary use at Liston Park is due in the first quarter of 2012.

 

Finally, I would reiterate my desire, and in fact the Club’s need, for more people to understand how the Club operates, and to get involved in whatever capacity. Our Club continues to rely heavily on volunteer assistance as this provides the heart, and ethos of the Club. So perhaps it is time for each of you to ask “what could you give back to your family and the wider community by becoming involved in the Club?” Any approach to our respective committee chairmen, Tim Adams or Alan Goodwin, Ryan or Warren and/or the writer would be welcomed.

 

In the meantime, good luck to you all as you participate, succeed and support across the football fields of Auckland.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mark B. Weipers

President

Ellerslie A.F.C.