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Football Tasmania and MyState Bank team up to support junior football
Following the exciting scenes of Australia qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Football Tasmania and MyState Bank have teamed up to provide a free ball to every registered junior player in the state.
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley and MyState Bank’s Managing Director & CEO Brett Morgan were at Wentworth Park last Thursday afternoon to deliver around 150 balls to Clarence Zebras players. Close to 9,000 balls will be delivered across the state overall.
“As Tasmania’s most popular team sport – with junior clubs and school teams across the state – getting a ball to every registered junior player has its logistical challenges, but it’s absolutely worth it to foster the next generation of talent,” Bulkeley said via Football Tasmania.
“It means kids can practise their skills with friends and family outside of organised matches and training.”
MyState Bank Managing Director & CEO Brett Morgan explained the business is proud of its support of Tasmanian football over the past few years, which includes the community junior league, and sponsoring the referees and the 2022 MyState Bank Women’s Super League.
“It’s a privilege to give back to the local community through partnerships with Football Tasmania,” Morgan said via Football Tasmania.
“Tasmania has a long and proud sporting history, where dedicated and talented people have achieved great things. Many had their start in local community clubs. This is the third time we’ve provided a free ball and we’re delighted to encourage kids to keep healthy and work as a team.”
Bulkeley added there’s certainly a spring in the step of the junior teams with Australian men and women shining on the football world stage.
“With Tasmanian Nathaniel Atkinson looking likely to be selected to travel to the 2022 Men’s World Cup, and the Women’s World Cup coming to Australia and New Zealand in 2023 we’re expecting to see even more young boys and girls enjoying their football and these balls will help add to the excitement.”
For any club aiming to survive, thrive and endure, a strategic plan is a vital tool that needs to be implemented. 
Strategic plans provide a direction, goals, and timeline to clubs to ensure they continue on the right track into the future, by detailing the actions and steps the club will take.
These plans also help to determine the principles and values of the club, highlighting the way a club presents itself to the world.
Additionally, having a strategic plan lowers the amount of risk a club undertakes, and can act as a guide in times of emergency or uncertainty.
Strategic Planning Resources
Creating a strategic plan can be a long process, which may require outside help to gain fresh perspectives and guidance.
Fortunately, many states and territories host an array of freely available resources such as fact sheets, videos and guides that directly address strategic planning. Additionally, a range of organisations provide consultancy assistance.
Australia wide – Football Australia – Club Changer (Provides resources and education to members)
Australia wide – Belgravia Sports Community (Offers free resources, paid consultancy and training programs)
Australia wide – Australian Sports Commision – Game Plan (Free platform and toolkit for sport clubs)
Strategic Planning Processes
Strategic planning will differ from club to club depending on how each approach the situation, especially if working groups are consulted.
However, the phases of a strategic planning project will share similarities.
Stage 1
Clubs will often begin strategic planning by scrutinising club documents and key matters in order to review the health of the club and to understand the club’s identity.
This process will evaluate a wide breadth of material such as the club’s guiding constitution, policies, rules, financial documents, fundraisers, membership, club infrastructure, social media profiles, programs, teams, levels of success and more.
After completing the first stage, clubs may undertake a member survey. They can be a very useful tool, as they gather a valuable understanding of the attitudes a club’s community may have about its stature, culture, future, and what they want to see from it.
Stage 2
Next, a club would begin to discuss its future by highlighting goals it wishes to achieve.
Goals can be diverse and range from off-field to on-field matters, however they should always be relevant to the club and achievable. By setting objectives, you ensure that the club is working together towards something every day.
Across this process, timeframes and actions should be explored to create a plan of how to achieve the outlined goals. It can be advantageous to delegate goals to specific people or boards to ensure that multiple projects can be worked on and tracked at once, instead of having them all be lumped on one individual or being nebulously attached to no one.
This phase also presents the opportunity to reflect on the principles and values of the club. While it can appear superfluous, a small selection of small meaningful words can be incredibly impactful. A club’s chosen values describe the club to those outside of it, reminds club members of its purpose, and can also help formulate the goals, objectives and vision of the club.
Stage 3
Once a club has moved past goal setting and is beginning its action plans, reaching out to legal and accounting firms to review materials and provide advice can be highly valuable.
These organisations can provide comprehensive details on where to make adjustments for governance and how to budget effectively.
Stage 4
Finally, the club will begin to formulate the final document of the strategic plan before presenting it to members.
When creating the document, ensure it can be easily understood by a wide array of audiences.
Additionally, include a concise yet detailed summary of the plan so it doesn’t require members to read the document fully.
Conclusion
As time passes it is important to check in on the strategic plan to ensure that the club is on track for its goals and that the document is still relevant. Circumstances can change, so it can be beneficial to amend the plan to ensure it is still applicable to the club.
However, it is important to note that strategic plans are a long-term investment, and can take years to fulfill, so do not be over eager in manipulating them.
Despite its slow start to the season, many pundits believe this season’s Sydney F.C. squad is one of the strongest for many years.
Consequently, it has been difficult for striker Jaiden Kucharski to be selected on a regular basis. However, Jaiden Kucharski’s journey is one marked by moments of brilliance and potential.
For those who observed the power-laden goal he scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 3 and the disallowed volley he despatched against Wanderers two weeks ago, there is no doubt he has all the attributes of a goal-scoring maestro.
Additionally, his powerful right-footed drive from outside the penalty area last Sunday nearly found its mark for a ten-man Sydney F.C. to achieve a 2-2 draw, only to be denied by the agility of Central Coast Mariners custodian Dylan Peraic-Cullen.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
None of this comes as a surprise, as Jaiden Kucharski’s Sydney F.C. record includes twenty-nine goals in three seasons in the NPL Men’s competition.
So, what does the future hold for this talented twenty-two-year-old?
In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Jaiden Kucharski talks about his early exposure to football, his progression through the Sydney FC Academy to the senior squad, and his ambitions in the senior game.
ROGER SLEEMAN
Can you outline your early introduction to the game?
JAIDEN KUCHARSKI
After starting at Glenwood Redbacks as a five year old, I moved to the Football Development Academy and eventually progressed to the Sydney FC Academy at the age of fourteen via the NSW Institute.
R.S.
Who were the early influences in your career?
J.K.
I followed Messi and Ronaldo and also worshipped Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.
Also, due to my Polish background, I admired Robert Lewandowski as a goalscorer.
R.S.
You are equally accomplished on both feet with ferocity on both sides.
When there are so many one sided players in the A-League, how have you managed to achieve this milestone?
J.K.
There was a coach called Cormack at the FDA who worked with me to improve my weaker left side when we went for periods without using the right foot in training.
At the weekends when I was eight or nine, I would train with the ten to fourteen year olds which also harnessed my two sided skills.
At the Sydney FC Academy, Kelly Cross has also nurtured my left side further and now I believe my shooting is better with my left side.
R.S.
You’ve been scoring goals for fun in NPL competition so what role do you see yourself playing?
J.K.
I’ve grown up playing as many positions as possible
However, I want to play up front as one of the two nines and being a target man to either drop to receive the ball and also playing in between and along the last line of defence.
I also want to be able to take the ball myself and score goals by taking opponents on.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
The goal you scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 2 was one of the hardest shots ever seen in the A-League.
Could you explain how you did it?
J.K.
My best attribute is my striking contact with the ball, assisted by strong groins and when the cutback came I hit through the ball as hard as I could.
R.S.
Are you prepared to wait for that break to get more game time?
J.K.
I’m contracted with Sydney FC until June next year and I’ve made the most of my playing time so far, but in the end selection is up to the coach.
I could also leave during the transfer window in January if the club allowed me.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
Have you had recent discussions with the coaching staff regarding your role in the squad?
J.K.
Not really as I just do everything in training to impress.
However, it was heartening to get a full game against F.C. Kaya and the goal I scored just inside the box to make a 3-0 scoreline, reinforced what I can do when I get space in front of goal.
R.S.
Would you leave Sydney F.C. when your contract expires, and if so where would you go to?
J.K.
I could go to Poland where I have citizenship but I also believe Germany would suit my style of football as an attacking player.
R.S.
It is a star studded squad at Sydney FC but you would be a certain starter at most other A-League clubs.
If the right offer came, would you move to another A-League club?
J.K.
Anything is possible, providing I’m getting game time and further developing as a footballer.
R.S.
Which of your team-mates do you really relate to?
J.K.
Adrian Segecic is an old team-mate who laid the ball off to me for the Brisbane Roar goal and three years ago I provided the pass which allowed him to score his first A- League goal against Macarthur Bulls.
Also, Anthony Caceres is a great foil and I’ve learned a lot from Joe Lolley and more recently Douglas Costa who is impeccable in his movement.
The new striker, Patryck Klimala, is a clinical striker and Leo Sena has that touch of genius which any young player can learn from.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
What is your opinion of the A-League?
J.K.
Foreigners I’ve met say they didn’t expect the A-League to be so strong.
It’s a great step up from NPL to APL as the pace and pressure is so much more demanding.
R.S.
Where do see yourself in three years time?
J.K.
Playing overseas as a regular starter, ideally in a First Division setup.
