UNIVERSITY NEWS
AFL club update from the MUAFC President Kristian Purdie
After a couple of disrupted seasons due to covid, we are gearing up for a big 2022 and we wanted to give you an update on the AFL club at University.
Club Update
Since taking over the club as President in early 2020, the Committee and I have a long-term strategic plan to execute the Club’s vision. This vision is a club that is thought about, talked about, and actively sought out by players of all abilities. Our club will be held as a benchmark of success in providing community-based sport, while excelling at an elite level. In order to continue to grow as a community asset and to establish the club as a destination club for players of all levels – complete novice to the elite end of the footballing pyramid – we identified four enabling pillars as part of our long-term strategic plan:
1) Providing elite level coaching, supporting not only top end talent, but all levels of skill
2) A fun and social based environment where you can play with your friends at whatever level you choose, both on and off the field
3) Access to elite level physio and strength & conditioning, supporting players in fitness and also in injury should it be necessary
4) Great facilities, including high quality playing surface, change rooms and amenities.
We are on the path to achieving success in each of these pillars, and the hard work continues!
Sport and sporting clubs play a huge part in the physical and mental wellbeing of people in the community, as well as enabling people to socialize and form relationships, something that we all need to re-engage in after the last couple of years. AFL clubs in Sydney have the unique and fortunate position to be able to cater for the entire spectrum of footballing talent, and we want to make the club the destination to nurture and support that talent.
Junior Pathways
The Committee and I are really focussing on how we can help build a long term, sustainable, Destination club across the Sydney basin. Our Junior to Senior Pathway plans are developing, particularly as AFL Sydney have now recognized us as a partner senior club to a number of Junior clubs across both Men’s and Women’s. This is a fabulous win as it allows us to promote Senior Football and more importantly choice for Juniors. To help with this, Wilko has taken on the extra role of General Manager of Junior Pathways. He has a great energy and vision for this space, and is the best person to lead this important pillar for the club.
Sponsors
The club is always on the look out for new commercial partners. Why? It is a great opportunity for businesses to show their support for the local community, as well as getting good exposure through the club’s channels. In return it helps us to rely less on player rego and over time bring those fees down as much as we can. It also helps the club to grow and provide a destination for all players young and old, elite and social, to play their footy, improve and have fun. This year we will continue to invite player sponsors in addition to attracting new principal and major partners. All players are invited to bring in a player sponsor. Why? Because it’s a great way for the player to have their rego covered, as well as giving an opportunity for a local business to gain some more support without a significant financial contribution
Coaching
Katherine Smith (current GWS Giants AFLW) and Jodie Hicks (former GWS AFLW & Sydney Sixers) are well and truly on board for this year for the women’s program and a whole preseason has been structured and planned out down to what training looks like for each session between now and the start of the season. I am proud to say that we really do have the best coaches in the Women competition in Sydney. If you are looking to improve your footy at whatever level, then you are in the best place to do so.
From the Men’s side, Geoffrey Smith as a playing coach and his assistants will take on the men’s program this season. Geoff is an incredibly engaging and accomplished coach, and with a growing Men’s program we are looking forward to a competitive and hopefully successful year for both Seniors and Reserves.
Prep For Prems
We will be running another P4P as it is a fundamental aspect of junior to senior pathway development plans, please get the message out about the program as fa and wide as you can! We have attendees from as far as Saratoga and Baulkham Hills!
Membership
Looking for a way to support the club if you’re not currently playing? Then check out our new membership products. Get behind the club and show your support by heading to the Membership section of the website for more details
Merchandise
The shop is live and ready to accept your orders for Mac Uni merchandise. Pick up your colours in the Merchandise section of the website.
Key dates
April 2nd – Round One
Date in March TBC – Season Launch
March – Practice matches TBC
AGM – Thursday 24th February
Thanks for reading this update; we hope you found it useful. If you wish to know more, are a prospective sponsor or have any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact Kristian on 0478 811 191, email at president@muafc.club or reach out to me on LinkedIn.
All the best, and we will keep you updated as the season progresses.
Kristian
President – MUAFC