Hunter member zones plan to overthrow NNSWF board

[FlatScreen]

why not get rid of de and the zones?

New regime at northern, fresh ideas, a few people might realise they are there to facilitate the delivery of the sport rather than push everything back on volunteers. One office not 3, one ceo not 3, one football operations team not 4…🤷*♂️

this!

[boz-monaut]

Northern are constantly plugging away at this angle that the Future of Football review carried out that said this was the best approach

A review which they commissioned and paid for

which funnily enough recommends consolidation of power (to them coincidentally)

darndest thing...

[Zonal Marking]

The board tried to sack him and the Zones came in replaced the board and had him reinstated. Perhaps the Zones should be abolished for that act

Like I said earlier in the thread didn’t this happen 10 years ago? If the zones are abolished suddenly the current NNSW football board have NO-ONE to answer to and that 240k could very easily double in the next few years. Especially with an even larger injection of funds from community football. NNSWF would have complete control over our local game and I can’t believe anyone who has the best interests of football in this region at heart can possibly think that is a good thing.

[Villians]

You will find that quite a large part covers the insurance for players.

Regardless though, our fees could be lower if we didn't need to pay for 3 CEO's, 3 Competition Administrators, 3 Ops Managers. And cover the expenses of 3 boards comprising of 21 members. Do we really need 21 board members to cover Zone and ID comps in Greater Newcastle?

I agree, there is way way too much fat that needs to be trimmed. I do think the best approach forward is to leave the governance of all football between here and the Queensland border to an overarching body like NNSW, yet is fit for purpose and lean -- no management, just governance.

Then comes the actual management of competitions and players. In this area, all three zone bodies should be merged and every single competition should come under their remit to ensure all levels of football are moving in the same direction. Clubs' ambition levels wax and wane over time and there should be pathways up and down to accommodate this... like... erm.. every other football body around the world, sans USA.

I don't know anything about the zones further north, but given their smaller player catchments, I would assume their player development goals would centre around the best players playing against as good as competition as possible. Perhaps, some consolidation of zones up there would increase the player catchment areas for their premier competitions and also make them financially stronger to then drive more funds back into said development.

[Villians]

Check out Football South Coast ( https://footballsouthcoast.com/ ) which operates within Football NSW. They are a gold standard when it comes to managing local competitions and players. They have been incredibly successful at delivering all-weather pitches and helping clubs with their overall development. We need a Football Hunter.. or whatever.

[Goatscheese]

Like I said earlier in the thread didn’t this happen 10 years ago? If the zones are abolished suddenly the current NNSW football board have NO-ONE to answer to and that 240k could very easily double in the next few years. Especially with an even larger injection of funds from community football. NNSWF would have complete control over our local game and I can’t believe anyone who has the best interests of football in this region at heart can possibly think that is a good thing.

They are answerable to the clubs and FA. And yes it did happen 10 years ago (the same people running the zones 10 years ago are running them now), anyone who thinks DE being in his role is bad for football can't also support the zones and say they are best thing for football.

[Goatscheese]

I agree, there is way way too much fat that needs to be trimmed. I do think the best approach forward is to leave the governance of all football between here and the Queensland border to an overarching body like NNSW, yet is fit for purpose and lean -- no management, just governance.

Then comes the actual management of competitions and players. In this area, all three zone bodies should be merged and every single competition should come under their remit to ensure all levels of football are moving in the same direction. Clubs' ambition levels wax and wane over time and there should be pathways up and down to accommodate this... like... erm.. every other football body around the world, sans USA.

I don't know anything about the zones further north, but given their smaller player catchments, I would assume their player development goals would centre around the best players playing against as good as competition as possible. Perhaps, some consolidation of zones up there would increase the player catchment areas for their premier competitions and also make them financially stronger to then drive more funds back into said development.

Well yes indeed at the very minimum reduce the three zones in Newcastle down to 1

[travellingman]

You will find that quite a large part covers the insurance for players.

Regardless though, our fees could be lower if we didn't need to pay for 3 CEO's, 3 Competition Administrators, 3 Ops Managers. And cover the expenses of 3 boards comprising of 21 members. Do we really need 21 board members to cover Zone and ID comps in Greater Newcastle?

Check your facts before making statements.
HV have a president, board members and 1 office person, Newcastle and Macquarie may be different but none of them have 9 staff plus a board as you state

[Hunter403]

Like I said earlier in the thread didn’t this happen 10 years ago? If the zones are abolished suddenly the current NNSW football board have NO-ONE to answer to and that 240k could very easily double in the next few years. Especially with an even larger injection of funds from community football. NNSWF would have complete control over our local game and I can’t believe anyone who has the best interests of football in this region at heart can possibly think that is a good thing.

The board of NNSW football is answerable to FA. Unfortunately, at the moment, they are answerable to David Eland as well. He runs the show. The board should meet, hear his report, dismiss him from the meeting and get on with business. At the end of that process they give the CEO his brief and he and his staff carries it out. At the moment, the board does not seem strong enough to keep him in his place.

Regardless, I hold to the view that the game is over governed in NNSW and changes are needed. Three zones running football in the Hunter is stupid. The fact that we run zone/interdistrict leagues is testament to that.

NNSW can run the lot with the right structure, governance and reporting lines and with the right CEO in charge. I just don't think that is David Eland.

[travellingman]

The board of NNSW football is answerable to FA. Unfortunately, at the moment, they are answerable to David Eland as well. He runs the show. The board should meet, hear his report, dismiss him from the meeting and get on with business. At the end of that process they give the CEO his brief and he and his staff carries it out. At the moment, the board does not seem strong enough to keep him in his place.

Regardless, I hold to the view that the game is over governed in NNSW and changes are needed. Three zones running football in the Hunter is stupid. The fact that we run zone/interdistrict leagues is testament to that.

NNSW can run the lot with the right structure, governance and reporting lines and with the right CEO in charge. I just don't think that is David Eland.

After he was sacked last time, DE took on the role of secretary of the company.
So the directors are unable to have a meeting without DE present

[Zonal Marking]

After he was sacked last time, DE took on the role of secretary of the company.
So the directors are unable to have a meeting without DE present

So basically Northern are being operated under a dictatorship and if the Zones are dissolved this will only get worse.

[Goatscheese]

Check your facts before making statements.
HV have a president, board members and 1 office person, Newcastle and Macquarie may be different but none of them have 9 staff plus a board as you state

I didn't state they all have 9 staff and a board, but let's go over the facts

Macquarie Football: 1 CEO, 2 Admin Staff, 1 Match Official Appointment Officer, 7 board members

Newcastle Football: 1 CEO, 2 Admin Staff, 6 board members

Hunter Valley Football: 1 Admin Staff, 7 board members

So the question is do we need to pay for 2 CEOs, 5 Admin Staff and cover the expenses of 20 board members to run Zone/ID comps?

[ranger]

We need people to hold Northern accountable, who holds Northern accountable if we get rid of the zones?

[Hunter403]

After he was sacked last time, DE took on the role of secretary of the company.
So the directors are unable to have a meeting without DE present

What a dumbass thing to allow!

[Jardelsimage]

and the battle begins.


2022 has seen two significant changes in the NNSWF Premier competition structure. Firstly, in line with the NNSWF
Board’s position on the optimum number of clubs for our regions top men’s senior division, NPL Mens Northern NSW,
New Lambton FC were recently promoted from Northern League One into NPL Mens for season 2023.
Secondly, NNSWF also recently announced the formation of the Premier Youth League, which will see youth and
senior competitions decoupled from season 2023. As part of the confirmation of Premier Youth League, the NNSWF
Board directed management to commence consultation regarding the size and structure of senior competitions.
NNSWF Management will now be implementing a significant consultation process which will involve all relevant
stakeholders, including, but not limited to current premier clubs, Member Zones and current Zone Football League and
relevant regional clubs.
As the governing body for all football in Northern NSW and notwithstanding the consultation process on the complete
structure of NNSWF top leagues, management is currently considering options in relation to the current make-up and
season structure of HIT Northern League One for season 2023. These considerations include:
• The number of rounds / matches in HIT Northern League One
• The potential to expand the number of clubs competing in the HIT Northern League One through the addition
of one or more teams currently competing in the Zone Premier League, as well regional clubs who have
previously signalled their desire for progression, to HIT Northern League One.
As such, NNSWF is calling for expressions of interest from clubs who would be interested in competing in Northern
League One in season 2023 or 2024 and beyond. Any interested will be required to currently meet, or have an
appropriate plan to meet, the following criteria as a minimum:
P a g e 2 | 3
PREMIER CLUB LINKS
Club Resources | Rules & Regulations | NPL Men’s & Women’s Fixtures & Results | NL1 Fixtures & Results | JDL Fixtures
Criteria Minimum Standards
Required Teams The club must field and maintain both a 1st Grade &
Reserves team for the 2023 season, with a minimum of
32 players across both squads.
Coaching Standards Head Coaches of both 1st Grade and reserves currently
hold, or are registered to attend, a C -Licence or above.
Facility Standards The club must have access to a venue that meets the
required minimum standards, including but not limited
to:
• Fully enclosed venue
• Pitch perimeter fence at least 3m from the
touchline
• Adequate home, away and match official
change rooms
• Scoreboard (permanent or temporary)
• PA System
• Adequate spectator viewing areas
Finance The club must maintain financial records as required by
relevant Australian and New South Wales law.
The club must prepare annual financial statements
including balance sheet, profit & loss and statement of
cashflow.
Member Protection The club must adhere to the Football Australia Member
Protection Policy.
Medical / First Aid The must have a physiotherapist attending senior
fixtures.
Clubs interested in joining HIT Northern League in season 2023 are required to complete the short expression of
interest form by no later than Tuesday 13th September. The expression of interest form can be found here.
P a g e 3 | 3
PREMIER CLUB LINKS
Club Resources | Rules & Regulations | NPL Men’s & Women’s Fixtures & Results | NL1 Fixtures & Results | JDL Fixtures
In the interests of clarity, clubs seeking to enter HIT Northern League One in 2023 are not required to enter teams
outside of the required 1st grade and reserve grade.
NNSWF will consider the EOIs and confirm if we will proceed with a formal application and assessment process for any
applicants for the 2023 season. A decision on the direction will be made and communicated by no later than 16th
September 2022, with a view to any formal process being completed by late October / early November.
For the avoidance of doubt, this EOI process does not signal confirmation
Please note, any club with men streams already competing in Northern NSW Football Premier competitions is not
eligible for this process.
Kind Regards,
David Eland
CEO
Northern NSW Football

[travellingman]

I didn't state they all have 9 staff and a board, but let's go over the facts

Macquarie Football: 1 CEO, 2 Admin Staff, 1 Match Official Appointment Officer, 7 board members

Newcastle Football: 1 CEO, 2 Admin Staff, 6 board members

Hunter Valley Football: 1 Admin Staff, 7 board members

So the question is do we need to pay for 2 CEOs, 5 Admin Staff and cover the expenses of 20 board members to run Zone/ID comps?

Maybe the question should be do we need to cover the expenses of 33 NNSW staff to run football across 3 competitions.

[The Hacker]

and the battle begins.


2022 has seen two significant changes in the NNSWF Premier competition structure. Firstly, in line with the NNSWF
Board’s position on the optimum number of clubs for our regions top men’s senior division, NPL Mens Northern NSW,
New Lambton FC were recently promoted from Northern League One into NPL Mens for season 2023.
Secondly, NNSWF also recently announced the formation of the Premier Youth League, which will see youth and
senior competitions decoupled from season 2023. As part of the confirmation of Premier Youth League, the NNSWF
Board directed management to commence consultation regarding the size and structure of senior competitions.
NNSWF Management will now be implementing a significant consultation process which will involve all relevant
stakeholders, including, but not limited to current premier clubs, Member Zones and current Zone Football League and
relevant regional clubs.
As the governing body for all football in Northern NSW and notwithstanding the consultation process on the complete
structure of NNSWF top leagues, management is currently considering options in relation to the current make-up and
season structure of HIT Northern League One for season 2023. These considerations include:
• The number of rounds / matches in HIT Northern League One
• The potential to expand the number of clubs competing in the HIT Northern League One through the addition
of one or more teams currently competing in the Zone Premier League, as well regional clubs who have
previously signalled their desire for progression, to HIT Northern League One.
As such, NNSWF is calling for expressions of interest from clubs who would be interested in competing in Northern
League One in season 2023 or 2024 and beyond. Any interested will be required to currently meet, or have an
appropriate plan to meet, the following criteria as a minimum:
P a g e 2 | 3
PREMIER CLUB LINKS
Club Resources | Rules & Regulations | NPL Men’s & Women’s Fixtures & Results | NL1 Fixtures & Results | JDL Fixtures
Criteria Minimum Standards
Required Teams The club must field and maintain both a 1st Grade &
Reserves team for the 2023 season, with a minimum of
32 players across both squads.
Coaching Standards Head Coaches of both 1st Grade and reserves currently
hold, or are registered to attend, a C -Licence or above.
Facility Standards The club must have access to a venue that meets the
required minimum standards, including but not limited
to:
• Fully enclosed venue
• Pitch perimeter fence at least 3m from the
touchline
• Adequate home, away and match official
change rooms
• Scoreboard (permanent or temporary)
• PA System
• Adequate spectator viewing areas
Finance The club must maintain financial records as required by
relevant Australian and New South Wales law.
The club must prepare annual financial statements
including balance sheet, profit & loss and statement of
cashflow.
Member Protection The club must adhere to the Football Australia Member
Protection Policy.
Medical / First Aid The must have a physiotherapist attending senior
fixtures.
Clubs interested in joining HIT Northern League in season 2023 are required to complete the short expression of
interest form by no later than Tuesday 13th September. The expression of interest form can be found here.
P a g e 3 | 3
PREMIER CLUB LINKS
Club Resources | Rules & Regulations | NPL Men’s & Women’s Fixtures & Results | NL1 Fixtures & Results | JDL Fixtures
In the interests of clarity, clubs seeking to enter HIT Northern League One in 2023 are not required to enter teams
outside of the required 1st grade and reserve grade.
NNSWF will consider the EOIs and confirm if we will proceed with a formal application and assessment process for any
applicants for the 2023 season. A decision on the direction will be made and communicated by no later than 16th
September 2022, with a view to any formal process being completed by late October / early November.
For the avoidance of doubt, this EOI process does not signal confirmation
Please note, any club with men streams already competing in Northern NSW Football Premier competitions is not
eligible for this process.
Kind Regards,
David Eland
CEO
Northern NSW Football

Would any ZPL club see this as appealing

[travellingman]

Would any ZPL club see this as appealing

I doubt if any clubs will meet the criteria.
Suns, Cooks Hill and Azzurri all have men's streams.
Cardiff, Swansea, Kotara and Westlakes do not have 3m perimeter fences.
That leaves Dudley, Warners Bay and I'm not sure how Mayfield sit with their facilities as I haven't been there.

[travellingman]

I agree, there is way way too much fat that needs to be trimmed. I do think the best approach forward is to leave the governance of all football between here and the Queensland border to an overarching body like NNSW, yet is fit for purpose and lean -- no management, just governance.

Then comes the actual management of competitions and players. In this area, all three zone bodies should be merged and every single competition should come under their remit to ensure all levels of football are moving in the same direction. Clubs' ambition levels wax and wane over time and there should be pathways up and down to accommodate this... like... erm.. every other football body around the world, sans USA.

I don't know anything about the zones further north, but given their smaller player catchments, I would assume their player development goals would centre around the best players playing against as good as competition as possible. Perhaps, some consolidation of zones up there would increase the player catchment areas for their premier competitions and also make them financially stronger to then drive more funds back into said development.

When you say fat to be trimmed, if you have a look at NNSW who employ 33 staff at an annual wage bill of approximately 1.8 - 2.3million a year, compared to 3 associations running community football in the Hunter for around 500-600K, I know where the fat needs to be trimmed

[Villians]

I agree traveller. Hence it would probably be best for NNSW to become purely a lean governance body, with no management duties. This would eliminate next to all roles