The St Mary’s Football Club had approximately 497 players take the field in the 2017 season. This large number reflects the standards set by the Club. We are a Club that allows children to get a game of football each weekend.

When playing a sport, children have the opportunity to show their skills, gain greater self-awareness, and enjoy an activity that they love the most.

Football provides consistent exercise.

Team sports commit your child to regular exercise, which helps boost immunity and contributes to overall physical health. The health benefits of playing sports include proper weight management; efficient functioning of the heart, controlled diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, improved blood circulation, lower hypertension and stress levels. It helps in the toning of muscles and strengthening of bones.

We certainly know there’s much more pressure on people’s time and their wallet and there are a lot more options available to kids and adults now than there was 20 years ago. But our aim is to retain as many players as possible for the next season.

With 23 sides competing each, the amount of coaches in the club was just over 50, including assistant coaches.

This is an extremely large number of well trained volunteers, parents and helpers to ensure the children all enjoy their football in the 2017 season. It takes around 280 volunteers each weekend to get all our games of football on the park. Thanks to all those who helped in the 2017 season.

There were a few issues with a minority of volunteers in the 2017 season that did not reflect well on the Club. A no tolerance policy is being introduced to ensure these issues are wiped from the Club moving forward.  The football department will ensure any volunteer, parent, and helper or general supporters that step out of line moving forward are dealt with in accordance with the Club’s constitution.

To see the smiles on the faces of young children each weekend is why the Club exists.

Club Stats for 2017:

  • 497 players.
  • 48 Auskickers in 2017.
  • 13 out of 18 competitive sides played finals (Under 11 – Colts boys and girls).
  • 4 players in the Carlton Next Generation Academy.
  • 26 players finished in the top 10 in the Best and Fairest in the YJFL.
  • 12 players in the Northern Knights squads.
  • One coach nomination for Coach of the Year.
  • Two premierships in 2017.
  • 58 registered Tackers (Under 9’s).

Player numbers in 2017:

  • Under 9’s = 57 players x 3 teams.
  • Under 10’s = 49 players.
  • Under 11’s = 57 players X 3 teams.
  • Under 11’s = 57 players X 3 teams.
  • Under 12’s Girls = 25 girls x one team.
  • Under 12’s Boys = 45 boys x 2 teams.
  • Under 13’s Boys = 46 boys x 2 teams.
  • Under 14’s Girls = 16 girls x one team.
  • Under 14’s Boys = 50 boys x 2 teams.
  • Under 14/15’s Development Girls = 16 players x one team.
  • Under 15’s Girls = 20 players x one team.
  • Under 15’s Boys = 55 players x 2 teams.
  • Colts = 63 players x 2 teams.
  • Youth Girls = 26 players x 1 team.

Looking forward to 2018…

We have officially signed with Dynamic Football to run the following in the 2017 season.

Focus: Coaching juniors; planning an effective training session; positive coaching; match day planning; skill development vs game sense; fitness through ball drills.

The session will consist of the following:

  • 2 x Oral Presentations (total 1.5 hours).
  • 2 x Practical Sessions on ground (total 2.5 hours).
  • A full team from SMJFC completing a series of game-sense drills run by DFS coaches.
  • SMJFC coaches can observe and/or join in with players.
  • SMJFC coaches completing a mix of skill development drills and game sense drills.
  • Monthly mentoring via DFS online platform.
  • The session will be run by: Brett Potter, DFS Head of Football, Development Academy Manager for TAC Cup (Northern Knights), Head of Recruiting at TAC Cup (Northern Knights), NGA coordinator at Carlton Football Club , Representative Manager for AFLVic Championships (NFL).

More emphasis must be placed on training our coaches in the 2018 season. This also extends to training programs for the kids in the 2018 season, i.e. kicking, body use, general ball skills and game sense training.

Brenton Kinnear
Football Director