One of the biggest funding programs benefiting grassroots footy in Victoria is back in 2023, with community clubs given the opportunity to share in $600,000 of investment through the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Club Rewards Program.

AFL Victoria has spoken to a number of community football clubs about what the program means to their club and how they’ve benefited from the program, with applications in 2023 open until August.

Matthew McCubbin, President of the Mitcham Football Club, says the program aligns to the club’s objective to spread an important message in their community.

How did your club originally get involved with the TAC Club Rewards program?

Before the program was launched our club made a conscious effort to align ourselves with the TAC as a community partner. Their messaging aligns with our own core values while the demographic within our club is an important age group when it comes to road safety education. We then found out about the (Club Rewards) program from our league and decided to get involved.

What motivated your club to get involved in the TAC Club Rewards Program?

As a football club we are extremely aware of our responsibilities within our local community to educate our players, staff and members on the dangers that are associated with being on our roads. We have a duty of care to protect not only our own but others that share the roads. We have one of the most important demographics when it comes to road safety, that being young male drivers who are easily distracted from their responsibilities when it comes to road safety.

Many years ago I lost one of my best mates in an accident due to drink driving and have seen first hand the effects a loss of life can have on family, friends and those who are involved through no fault of their own.

How does the message of road safety connect with your club’s values?

Our club values are based on "family" and "community" which directly links to road safety and the effects it can have on the local community. We have a strong culture of looking out for each other in every aspect of life but in particular making sure everyone involved is part of a safe environment.

What has your club been able to do with the funds you’ve received in the past?

We have not received any funding from the program so far but we will invest whatever funding becomes available back into the club with the purchase of equipment for our members and players.

Do you have any tips for clubs who are wanting to engage with the TAC Club Rewards Program?

Clubs that want to get involved in this program will benefit by inviting the conversation on road safety internally within the club. It's amazing how quickly your players and staff are willing to become actively involved and how engaged your members and supporters are when you promote the program on your social media platforms.

The TAC’s AFL Victoria Club Rewards Program will be open for applications until August and more information is available at www.aflvic.com.au/TACClubRewards.

Born and bred in Moriac, Modewarre champion Josh Finch first began playing for the club when he was just seven years old. He went on to play senior football at the premature age of 17 and was made vice-captain of the team 5 years later, where in which he had an eight-year reign.

Despite plans to make the jump to the victorious South Barwon in 2014 during a time when Modewarre were looking to finish low on the ladder, Finch is forever grateful that his loyalty won when a friend encouraged him not to “jump on a train that is already full steam ahead” and to stay at Modewarre and really make a difference. Finch and his team went on to win a premiership only a few years later. Now aged 36, he has remained a one-club player for his entire football career, celebrating his 300^th game this weekend.

Former long-serving Modewarre Club President Michael Fitzgerald describes Finch as a player that is “a true student of the game” and has always been driven to improve. Explaining that he prepares, plays, and recovers more professionally than any country league player that he has come across, Fitzgerald says that there has “never been a lightbulb moment that transformed Josh, he just simply has worked tirelessly to better himself”.

Finch has not only been a captain and a coach during his time at Modewarre but has also always shown interest in the junior selection of the club, including the last 3 years as Auskick coach. To go with his four Les Ash Medal and nine club Best and Fairest awards, Finch has represented Vic Country three times and was part of the BFNL Interleague program on seven occasions. Fitzgerald believes that Finch’s glowing record “speaks for itself, he is simply the best. He has been the most loyal player of not only Modewarre, but of the league in its history.” Solidifying himself as arguably one of the best players to have competed in the BFNL, Finch was also ranked fourth in the 2021 Geelong Advertiser’s “Best 50 Players in the 50 Years of the Bellarine FNL”.

After winning the 2016 Les Ash Medal, Finch acknowledged the achievement as something he will “look back on once his footy career is finished”. He expressed that “there are so many great players in this competition [the BFNL]” and that some of them will never even win an Ash Medal. This emphasises Finch’s understanding of the significance of these awards when it comes to individual success as a community footballer. 

Finch’s long-time friend and teammate, John Meesen, provided AFL Barwon with an insight into Finch’s early days as a Bellarine footballer. Meesen and Finch played all their junior football together but went their separate ways during senior football, where Meesen spent time in the AFL system. When discussing Finch’s early career, Meesen noted that his rise as a Bellarine FNL star only started in his late teens. Explaining that “he wasn’t an elite junior or anything”, Meesen marked Finch's turning point as when he “decided to get super fit around 17-18" and “really began excelling”. This method of hard work combined with desire that Finch began to develop in his late teens became a trademark of his career success. Meesen believes that “what separates him is that desire to get the very best of himself” and that Finch would be the “first to say he got where he is now through hard work and determination rather than God-given talent”.

Meesen ultimately coached Modewarre to Senior Football success when they won the 2018 Bellarine FNL Premiership. Despite always remaining incredibly humble, Meesen expressed that team success has always remained at the forefront for Finch and that the achievement in 2018 was “pretty special for everyone, but none more than him”.

Although Finch’s success is attributed to his immense hard work determination, it also couldn’t have been done without the unwavering support of his children and wife Emma, who also happens to be a talented netballer at Modewarre that Finch met in his teens. The success of the Finch family at Modewarre is something that may not ever be seen again in community sport and is widely admired by the Bellarine FNL community.

Congratulations Josh Finch on an outstanding 300 games!

Authors: Cam Sheehan & Sean Atkinson

Sources:

Michael Fitzgerald, Modewarre Football Netball Former Club President (Interview)

John Meesen, Modewarre Football Netball Club Former Player & Coach (Interview)

Ratcliffe, D. (2019) BFL 2019: Modewarre champ Josh Finch looks back on stellar career, Geelong Advertiser.

Emma Daffy is an enthusiastic and competitive netballer whose love for the sport has given her wonderful opportunities with fantastic success. Emma is a star goal attack for Newcomb in the AFL Barwon All-Abilities League but also plays for Lara in the mainstream Saturday Geelong FNL E Grade Competition.

Beginning in 2017, Emma initially started her All Abilities netball journey at her local Football and Netball Club, Lara. Emma found she wanted to test and expand her netball skills even further, leading her to join the mainstream competition. Emma states, “I just wanted to challenge myself. Get my intensity up, get my cardio up, make sure I get a good old challenge out there!”

It is impossible for Emma to decide what competition she likes more but finds the level of intensity and competitiveness to be the primary difference between the two. Her sense of enthusiasm and pride for both leagues is undeniable. Emma explains, “Both sides bring up a good, energetic, fun game.”

Lara Football Netball Club Netball Director, Di Van Doren always knew Emma would have the skillset and ability to be able to play both netball competitions. “Emma has always been a willing participant in all our club combined training sessions. We wanted Emma to decide when the time was right for her and have the confidence to give it a go. She has amazing skills, and her knowledge of the game is astonishing.” Di acknowledged that Emma is a much-loved member of Lara’s E-Grade team and provided valuable input into group sessions and regularly attended Club social events.

The Newcomb Power Football and Netball Club is a strong leader for the All-Abilities league, having both inclusion Netball and Football sides. Scott Smith, Newcomb’s All-Abilities Coordinator, explains inclusivity is central to the club’s values and the All-Abilities program is a valuable and vital part of the club’s DNA. Smith says, “Our inclusion programs sit alongside our mainstream and all members have embraced the programs. Providing the opportunities is very rewarding.”

Emma believes in encouraging other players of the All-Abilities League to get involved in mainstream competitions as a way of breaking down barriers between the two competitions. She suggests, “Just give it a crack! Have a go and do your best out there!”. Di Van Doren supported this by encouraging clubs to keep an open mind when considering providing opportunities for All Abilities players in mainstream Netball.

Smith agrees the biggest barrier to blending All-Abilities players into the mainstream competitions is player confidence. He says, “Once they [All-Abilities players] feel comfortable, there are no issues.”

Emma’s passion and dedication to netball have led to some great achievements through selection for the Marie Little OAM Shield. Emma represented Victoria back in 2019 in Brisbane, bringing home a silver medal. She represented Victoria a second time in Sydney last year, bringing home not only another silver medal, but was also awarded Most Valuable Player overall for the competition. She says, “It was exciting and a bit of a shock”. 

However, the challenge doesn’t end there. Emma’s competitive spirit prevails as she set her sights on achieving more this year. Emma states, “I am wanting to bring back the gold instead of the silver!”.

If there are any players looking to play in any of the AFL Barwon All Abilities Netball Competitions, please contact AFL Barwon Head of Netball, Sophie Allison (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Author: Nina Hyde