Presidents message
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Lee Harradine
Wolf Pack
RODH2
Oldfella
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Presidents message
Released today https://westadelaidefc.com.au/news/presidents-message-to-members-and-supporters-november-2021/
President’s Message to Members and Supporters – November 2021
Our footy Club is indeed a very diverse organisation. Among other things, it develops quality young people through football, it provides wonderful employment opportunities, it gives communities a venue for gathering and interacting, and it promotes friendship and fellowship amongst mates. It brings out the very best in individual and team endeavours. But do we really know why the Club exists?
In recent months the Board and staff have started to refocus our attention on the real reason why we have a Club. What is the single purpose of our Club’s existence? What binds us all as members and supporters and keeps us coming back as a collective group, day in and day out?
To discover the answer, we turned to the Constitution of the Club. We decided that it was time to listen again to the words of the founders of the Club from more than 130 years ago. And this is what they said:
“The object of the Club is to encourage, promote and foster the playing of Australian Football”.
Surely it couldn’t be that simple, we thought. It must be more complicated than that. The founders of the Club must have missed something. But they didn’t. And who are we to argue? Luckily the Constitution sets out some very clear guidelines on how the Club will achieve its object. Guidelines like; “promote unity and good fellowship among the members of the Club and between members of the Club and other sporting clubs” or; “promote the Club’s activities in the wider community and among the Club’s members”.
So, after much discussion, we decided that the Club needed an updated statement of purpose. One that would honour the legacy of the founders and which would give all members, staff and supporters a “guiding light” for our daily activities. We decided that our Club will be:
United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success
We believe that this statement captures all the elements of the Club’s purpose and provides a tool for all stakeholders to check whether they are on the right track. In recent weeks the Board has held information sessions with key leaders of the Club and staff to explore ways to realign our culture towards achieving this Club purpose. There is much work to be done. But we have begun the journey and we now must hold each other accountable to the task. As a start, you will begin to notice a “One Club” flavour to much of what we do in order to focus on the “united” part of our purpose. We are currently exploring having a combined Best and Fairest event to include all playing groups next season. I encourage you all to get behind these initiatives, and most importantly, to provide your feedback along the way.
At the last meeting of the Board there were several important items discussed. These are summarised below for your information:
Consideration was given to a report provided by the Constitution Review Working Group. This report contains several recommendations about possible improvements to the Constitution for discussion and resolution at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. These will be published in due course. The Club wishes to thank the following members who contributed to the Working Group:
Tom Winter WAFC Life Member, long term volunteer for a range of football operation activities
Kristen Demetriou Former WAFC Board Member, Member Westonians Committee
David Leydon Special Counsel at Minter Ellison, long term member of WAFC
John Levy (Chair) Former WAFC Board Member, current Honorary Solicitor of WAFC and Chair of WAFC Governance Committee
Discussion took place about the upcoming redevelopment of the oval precinct. It was noted that West Torrens Council still has stage one of the contract out to tender. It was expected that work would not commence until January 2022 and would be finished by the end of March. There would be no disruption to activities scheduled to occur on the oval area.
It was noted that nominations for the positions of Club President and Finance Director closed on 8th October and the Nominations Committee will provide its recommendations to the Club CEO after 22nd November for presentation to and consideration by the Board.
Discussion took place about the 2022 membership offering which will be published in November 2021 with a new theme of “Stronger Together”. It was also noted that the next member forum will be held in December 2021.
As we begin preparations for the 2022 season I want to congratulate and thank the entire football department for their relentless work in recruiting and development of players. Much of the work in recruiting happens over a long period and behind the scenes, and it’s great to see some of that work coming to fruition.
I also want to acknowledge the work done by Kayla and her team in the bistro and venue area. There is no doubt that Westies provide very high quality food and beverage, and always with a smile.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to all my fellow Board members, along with all members of staff. The Club has operated without a CEO since 15th September and everyone has done a great job keeping things rolling along as we await Conny’s commencement date on 22nd November.
I look forward to catching up with members and supporters in the weeks ahead. I often receive very helpful and honest feedback from stakeholders on a wide range of topics about the Club. I welcome this and hope that you continue to provide it.
Go Bloods!!
Murray Forbes
President
President’s Message to Members and Supporters – November 2021
Our footy Club is indeed a very diverse organisation. Among other things, it develops quality young people through football, it provides wonderful employment opportunities, it gives communities a venue for gathering and interacting, and it promotes friendship and fellowship amongst mates. It brings out the very best in individual and team endeavours. But do we really know why the Club exists?
In recent months the Board and staff have started to refocus our attention on the real reason why we have a Club. What is the single purpose of our Club’s existence? What binds us all as members and supporters and keeps us coming back as a collective group, day in and day out?
To discover the answer, we turned to the Constitution of the Club. We decided that it was time to listen again to the words of the founders of the Club from more than 130 years ago. And this is what they said:
“The object of the Club is to encourage, promote and foster the playing of Australian Football”.
Surely it couldn’t be that simple, we thought. It must be more complicated than that. The founders of the Club must have missed something. But they didn’t. And who are we to argue? Luckily the Constitution sets out some very clear guidelines on how the Club will achieve its object. Guidelines like; “promote unity and good fellowship among the members of the Club and between members of the Club and other sporting clubs” or; “promote the Club’s activities in the wider community and among the Club’s members”.
So, after much discussion, we decided that the Club needed an updated statement of purpose. One that would honour the legacy of the founders and which would give all members, staff and supporters a “guiding light” for our daily activities. We decided that our Club will be:
United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success
We believe that this statement captures all the elements of the Club’s purpose and provides a tool for all stakeholders to check whether they are on the right track. In recent weeks the Board has held information sessions with key leaders of the Club and staff to explore ways to realign our culture towards achieving this Club purpose. There is much work to be done. But we have begun the journey and we now must hold each other accountable to the task. As a start, you will begin to notice a “One Club” flavour to much of what we do in order to focus on the “united” part of our purpose. We are currently exploring having a combined Best and Fairest event to include all playing groups next season. I encourage you all to get behind these initiatives, and most importantly, to provide your feedback along the way.
At the last meeting of the Board there were several important items discussed. These are summarised below for your information:
Consideration was given to a report provided by the Constitution Review Working Group. This report contains several recommendations about possible improvements to the Constitution for discussion and resolution at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. These will be published in due course. The Club wishes to thank the following members who contributed to the Working Group:
Tom Winter WAFC Life Member, long term volunteer for a range of football operation activities
Kristen Demetriou Former WAFC Board Member, Member Westonians Committee
David Leydon Special Counsel at Minter Ellison, long term member of WAFC
John Levy (Chair) Former WAFC Board Member, current Honorary Solicitor of WAFC and Chair of WAFC Governance Committee
Discussion took place about the upcoming redevelopment of the oval precinct. It was noted that West Torrens Council still has stage one of the contract out to tender. It was expected that work would not commence until January 2022 and would be finished by the end of March. There would be no disruption to activities scheduled to occur on the oval area.
It was noted that nominations for the positions of Club President and Finance Director closed on 8th October and the Nominations Committee will provide its recommendations to the Club CEO after 22nd November for presentation to and consideration by the Board.
Discussion took place about the 2022 membership offering which will be published in November 2021 with a new theme of “Stronger Together”. It was also noted that the next member forum will be held in December 2021.
As we begin preparations for the 2022 season I want to congratulate and thank the entire football department for their relentless work in recruiting and development of players. Much of the work in recruiting happens over a long period and behind the scenes, and it’s great to see some of that work coming to fruition.
I also want to acknowledge the work done by Kayla and her team in the bistro and venue area. There is no doubt that Westies provide very high quality food and beverage, and always with a smile.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to all my fellow Board members, along with all members of staff. The Club has operated without a CEO since 15th September and everyone has done a great job keeping things rolling along as we await Conny’s commencement date on 22nd November.
I look forward to catching up with members and supporters in the weeks ahead. I often receive very helpful and honest feedback from stakeholders on a wide range of topics about the Club. I welcome this and hope that you continue to provide it.
Go Bloods!!
Murray Forbes
President
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Life long passionate supporter
Oldfella- Number of posts : 1038
Job/hobbies : Retired due to severe clinical depression
Re: Presidents message
This caught my eye and I encourage all to either attend or if unable to attend put questions to club for response/discussion at this meeting.
next member forum will be held in December 2021
next member forum will be held in December 2021
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Life long passionate supporter
Oldfella- Number of posts : 1038
Job/hobbies : Retired due to severe clinical depression
Re: Presidents message
So, we look at the Constitution of the Club from130 years ago, and the Constitution was changed 3 years ago, have I got that right? Haven't Port already done the 'one club' thing? Call me cynical, it's a public forum.
RODH2- Number of posts : 363
Re: Presidents message
I think it’s a positive that the Board is trying to get things moving for 2022.
BUT wins and losses are the true indicator.
As a member, I want to go to a game with an expectation that we can win it.
I haven’t had that feeling for the past 3 seasons.
BUT wins and losses are the true indicator.
As a member, I want to go to a game with an expectation that we can win it.
I haven’t had that feeling for the past 3 seasons.
Wolf Pack- Number of posts : 782
Re: Presidents message
Have I missed something here?
After 3 years, a Board with little West Adelaide experience has worked out we're here to play football in case those of us who have supported the Club for a lifetime didn't realise that and have come up with a generic, corporate slogan?
Please tell me I'm wrong, I really, really hope I am.
I'd rather a gun midfielder recruit than a slogan.
After 3 years, a Board with little West Adelaide experience has worked out we're here to play football in case those of us who have supported the Club for a lifetime didn't realise that and have come up with a generic, corporate slogan?
Please tell me I'm wrong, I really, really hope I am.
I'd rather a gun midfielder recruit than a slogan.
Lee Harradine- Number of posts : 2164
Re: Presidents message
“United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success”
A clear measurable statement and one which ALL involved at Westies can be held accountable.
However, I would have assumed that this goal would have been the mandate of any Board in the SANFL.
But no matter, constitutions don’t win premierships, actions do and on that the Board and Club will be judged. IMO
A clear measurable statement and one which ALL involved at Westies can be held accountable.
However, I would have assumed that this goal would have been the mandate of any Board in the SANFL.
But no matter, constitutions don’t win premierships, actions do and on that the Board and Club will be judged. IMO
Coolie- Number of posts : 64
Re: Presidents message
Here is an excerpt from Flags, Spoons & Knives', written over a year ago, when comparing clubs to Port's Creed.
...similar to Boards also regularly reinventing the wheel, deciding what their pillars and targets will be. Those words are not lived, because they're the temporary words for a season, not upheld in practice through generations.'
All Boards do this, so I'm not criticising this Board particularly, just the waste of years every time a Board is changed and the new Board spends time reinventing the wheel, rather than forgetting the corporate mantras and just concentrating on football.
I applaud the details on the Oval Development, etc, but would like to know what the Board thinks of it and how it will affect us. Will there be a cricket pitch again. Will sharing the oval hinder us?
I would have liked Murray to tell us more on football, rather than just thanking the Football Dept for their hard work and great recruiting (?). Why did Dunkin and Duval leave? The statement we made was poorly received in the wider football world. Are we investigating the reasons for such an exodus of players?
I again state that holding the Board and the power-brokers to account isn't disloyalty, it's a necessary process for accountability and to try to understand constant mediocrity.
It's because we live the Club and love the Club. We all want to be united, but so many long-standing loyalists don't feel included at all, let alone part of unity that is expressed, but not practised.
Worse, many are tossing up whether to go to the footy, often for the first time for 50 years.
...similar to Boards also regularly reinventing the wheel, deciding what their pillars and targets will be. Those words are not lived, because they're the temporary words for a season, not upheld in practice through generations.'
All Boards do this, so I'm not criticising this Board particularly, just the waste of years every time a Board is changed and the new Board spends time reinventing the wheel, rather than forgetting the corporate mantras and just concentrating on football.
I applaud the details on the Oval Development, etc, but would like to know what the Board thinks of it and how it will affect us. Will there be a cricket pitch again. Will sharing the oval hinder us?
I would have liked Murray to tell us more on football, rather than just thanking the Football Dept for their hard work and great recruiting (?). Why did Dunkin and Duval leave? The statement we made was poorly received in the wider football world. Are we investigating the reasons for such an exodus of players?
I again state that holding the Board and the power-brokers to account isn't disloyalty, it's a necessary process for accountability and to try to understand constant mediocrity.
It's because we live the Club and love the Club. We all want to be united, but so many long-standing loyalists don't feel included at all, let alone part of unity that is expressed, but not practised.
Worse, many are tossing up whether to go to the footy, often for the first time for 50 years.
Lee Harradine- Number of posts : 2164
Re: Presidents message
"United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success"
a truism of every footy club that has ever sent a team onto a footy field!!
what an earth shattering moment of clarity from our board!
at least the club hierarchy has indicated that footy success must be the main focus of the club.
bring on season 2022!
a truism of every footy club that has ever sent a team onto a footy field!!
what an earth shattering moment of clarity from our board!
at least the club hierarchy has indicated that footy success must be the main focus of the club.
bring on season 2022!
Bottle Top- Number of posts : 89
Location : West of the Divide
Re: Presidents message
Bottle Top wrote:"United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success"
what an earth shattering moment of clarity from our board!
The President's Message angered me, however it built slowly after a period of disbelief. Surely, all supporters/members will question this statement. After three years of abject failure the Board suddenly decided to refocus its attention on the real reason why we have a club. If the Board didn't know why the club existed how could it possibly know what it was administering. The Board must view the new slogan, United in Our Pursuit of Premiership Success as a revelation. And it must be, because what they have delivered these past three years has been the opposite ie 3 spoons and a divided supporter base. Murray also seems keen to link the present board with the founders of the club. They would be horrified.
Really, this President's Message is just like all the rest. The Board and staff are working really hard. All the hard work that has been done by the football department is now bearing fruit and as usual the President welcomes helpful feedback from stakeholders. Success is imminent.
Obviously, several departing players don't agree. Why did so many leave, or in one case decide not to return to his original club, when success is just around the corner. We have also lost a CEO, high performance manager and PR person. Maybe, it's time to investigate our high turnover of players, staff etc.
It was extremely disappointing to lose Duval and Dunkin, however after seeing what Brett Turner achieved who can blame them. Clearly, they didn't see a future at the club. Turner played in a Grand Final, was runner up in Glenelg's B&F and was selected in the Advertiser Team of the Year. He also played in 18 winning games this year compared to 19 in the previous 5 seasons at Westies.
Although the signing of Brand and Hartlett are huge positives, we are still significantly below what we had for 2021. I worry that 2022 will be another disappointing year. If there is little or no improvement next year, I really fear for the future of our club.
I think Wolf Pack summed up things perfectly:
As a member, I want to go to a game with an expectation that we can win it.
I haven’t had that feeling for the past 3 seasons.
All members/supporters hope that the club can be successful, but at the moment that hope is very weak. It is all very well telling members that everyone is working very hard and success is just around the corner, but the evidence suggests otherwise. We won two games this season and with the mass exodus of players (Why did this happen?) look like having a team that is no stronger next year. During difficult times, communication becomes extremely important. Communication needs to promote unity rather than be divisive, generally boost morale and generate confidence. I can't see how this latest communication from the president achieved any of these things. How can a board which is unclear about the club's core business inspire confidence?
bruce cameron- Number of posts : 379
Location : O'Halloran Hill
Job/hobbies : Retired
Re: Presidents message
At the very time the President unveiled a slogan that starts with ‘United’, another very long-standing West Adelaide volunteer was sacked in an appalling way.
Lee Harradine- Number of posts : 2164
Re: Presidents message
I'd like to, coolie, but it was told to me in confidence. I'll ask if it's OK to give a name, but it's someone with a long, long history of service.
I think the problem is that all the new people have little or no idea of the service given to the club by so many and make executive decisions without thinking of the effect it has on the person and the club.
It has seen the fabric of the club change dramatically and I doubt it's for the better.
It makes a mockery of the new membership slogan, 'together', unfortunately.
I think the problem is that all the new people have little or no idea of the service given to the club by so many and make executive decisions without thinking of the effect it has on the person and the club.
It has seen the fabric of the club change dramatically and I doubt it's for the better.
It makes a mockery of the new membership slogan, 'together', unfortunately.
Lee Harradine- Number of posts : 2164
Re: Presidents message
Point taken. I have been concerned for a while about the apparent lack of appreciation shown to those who volunteer to help the club. A thank you from the President doesn’t quite cut it for me. Strong “Communal” assets are vital if clubs are to survive. Thanks for the response
Coolie- Number of posts : 64
Re: Presidents message
Apart from the meaninglessness of slogans about success, calling for unity in times of abject failure is putting the cart before the horse. Unity comes from success. If you are failing badly year after year, 'stakeholders' are going to be agitated and calling for change. This 'rebranding' sounds to me more like a request to refrain from criticism.
aldo russian- Number of posts : 1343
Re: Presidents message
I think everyone is a bit tired of all the words that come out of the club.
Got the 2022 membership email today stating that 2022 will be an exciting year with undeniable talent joining each of our playing squads!
So far we’ve got Hartlett and Brand and a bunch of kids from lower grades.
History tells you that most of them will struggle next year.
Right now there is nothing that convinces me that 2022 will be any different to 2019 to 2021..,
Got the 2022 membership email today stating that 2022 will be an exciting year with undeniable talent joining each of our playing squads!
So far we’ve got Hartlett and Brand and a bunch of kids from lower grades.
History tells you that most of them will struggle next year.
Right now there is nothing that convinces me that 2022 will be any different to 2019 to 2021..,
Wolf Pack- Number of posts : 782
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