PAID administrators, more referees, better on and off-field behaviour and less paperwork are on the agenda as the Albury Wodonga Football Association looks to the future.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The clubs and police were involved in the first session of “Operation Football” on Monday night.
The aim of the operation is to pull apart the association, identify any problems and come up with solutions.
The association’s Craig McDonald said it was time for change.
He said the association had set down its strategic plan in 2009 and, like any other business, it was again time to “look at what we can do better”.
“We came up with about 40 issues in our first session,” he said.
“There were about 20 people there, representing more than half the teams in the competition and members from Victoria Police.
“We had a lot of ideas on paper. Now we have broken them down into groups and we will look at what can be done.”
McDonald said three key issues had been identified.
“The ‘respect’ issue which we have pushed all winter is still a concern to everyone involved,” he said. “It relates to on and off-field behaviour.
“It’s about spectators, players and the referees — everyone has their own moral compass but we believe people know when they are out of line.
“Increasing the number of referees is another major concern.
“It is only logical that the broader the base, the higher standard of referee available for senior matches.
“The other issue was looking at how to streamline paperwork for clubs and the association.”
McDonald said the possibility of employing paid administrators was also being considered.
“It is certainly something that is on the table as part of this review,” he said.
“Everyone involved in the administration of football on the Border is a volunteer.
“At the same time, the association is continuing to grow.”
The working party will reconvene in two weeks’ time.