News

Chairmans Report 2023

The last 12 months have been characterised by a progression of major steps.

            Firstly, this time last year the board had been reduced to three members, two recently appointed and there were consequences from the World Cup of reduced bank balance, members affected by the results of the World Cup and an acknowledgement that the immediate challenge was to ensure the smooth running of the 2023 Competition, before continuing the expansion of the game outside an own boundaries.

            Thanks to Doug Keen and Che Fornusek for support at that time.

            The initial activity once coaches had been indicated, was to look at the capability of each team, to ensure that the competition gave every player an opportunity to compete.

            At the end of the day, we are still looking for the ideal way for this to happen and is currently under discussion for next year.

            This saw the evolution of the operations committee, starting to match the teams to the calendar.

            Thanks to Michelle Povah, Doug Keen, Keith Povah, George Tonna, all the coaches for clear time for this exercise.

            I have asked Jenny Netting to give a brief overview of the registration and grading members, and in doing so thank Jenny for voluntary to take on the registrar position, and in doing so improved the communication and follow up on players who wished to join, also following up on the Working with Children cheeks.

            The association was also determined that each team would also have a team manager and to the four managers Michelle Taylor, Rebecca Coppe, Lainey Gaudron and David Smith a big thank you, for underpinning a smooth running season.

             The coaches again excelled in their roles and even though there was some disruption, thanks to Craig Anderson, Geoff Clarke, Peter Mitchell, Aldo Spennati and Tim Ragg for filling in when Marco Quintas decided not to continue, we thank Marco for this year of support to the association.

            Congratulations to Craig on coaching his team to victory in the Grand Finals.

            To all the award winners, recorded on presentation night congratulations to all the players who participated, we welcome you back for 2024.

            This year saw an opportunity to improve Game Day protocols for sign on, interchange, and enjoy recording (especially HIA), thanks to Michelle Povah, Doug Keen and all the team managers for your efforts and results, it makes a big difference.

            Again, Game Day does not happen without the referees and sideline support. To Doug Keen and Keith Povah the role of referees and Able body players we say thank you, along with the players support volunteers in Colin Crane, Terry Riches, Chris Bryant and Aldo Spennati. This is an area that we need to encourage more involvement and maybe some outside support from specialist physios.

            The year was blessed with good weather and all rounds were played, and only possible with the support of Cabramatta Leagues Club, with David Smith maintaining the relationship and also managing the ground set up and clean up, thank you to David, and Cabramatta Leagues Club.

            None of this is possible without the parents, partners, and supporters of the players, thanks for your involvement, feedback and support.

            A new role this year was created for any body, in the association who required confidentials or personal support and we would like to thank Steve Cremona for fulfilling that role, we know that he was busy a few times, when matters required some support or action, and Steve I am sure has gained the confidence of members in the important role in a communication.

            Communications were also improved by the use of Whats App, thanks to the operation group and Director Dan Frost.

            Alongside the competition there were also the extra events with

–        Come and Try at West Tigers and Taren Point

–        City V Country

–        Naidoc week at Redfern Ovals

–        Newtown Jets Anniversary Day

–        Harmony Round at Albion Park great participation by members, taking the game to the Community.

The teams would not look so greet without the support of 

–        Newtown Jets RLFC

–        Sydney Rooster RLFC

–        West Tigers RLFC

–        South Sydney RLFC

–        NSW Rugby League (City V Country)

The competitions were also supported by iCare, as most would have seen with iCare appearing on all shorts worn by the players.

The new Board was elected in March, and it is a common belief that new boards take about 18 months to settle in, we are about half way there and today say farewell to two members in Dan Frost and Amber Shultz and hopefully, at the decision of the members welcome two additional members.

As highlighted Michelle Povah and Doug Keen managed the operations Group, Keith Povah managed the pathways and classifications both in Australia and as part of the International Group, Che Fornusek is Company Secretary and member of the International Classifications Group, Dan Frost and Amber Shultz took steps into improving the Communication and Marketing areas, whilst Dennis Lowe took on first step along player welfare path, whilst I supported Jenny Netting in the registration management performed the role of treasurer and whilst supporting all other directors finalized the affiliation to the NRL, and activities that followed, and joined the IRL PD Advisory Group.

Thank you to Trish Spennati for her support in the Treasurers role, Trish does a lot behind the scenes and the Association is indebted to her for continuing support.

Keith, Che and myself are developing a National Strategy with the NRL, QRL and NSWRL representatives.

Whilst Che and myself are members of the NSWRL inclusion committee. All this work is aiming to reshape and strengthen the continuation of the PDRLA as works towards the 2026 World Cup.

I have detailed the activities mentioned because in a short period of time a lot has been achieved the momentum needs to be maintained as we launch into the 2024 season, and the activities outlined by the relevant committee.

Hope you all enjoy the festive season and can enjoy a break.

Thank you.