WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Record Article – June (7-8)

Football Development Manager for the Wimmera/Mallee Region Jason Muldoon is part of the push to provide more resources to country Victoria.

Here he explains the role of the Football Development Manager (FDM) and how they’re helping the game prosper in every corner of the State.

The most commonly asked question I face as I travel throughout my region, is “what do you actually do”?

Those that attend, or are connected to, their local Football Club willhopefully have noticed an increase in the AFL Victoria staff their region over the past 18 months.

The FDM role was created after the 2011 Review into Country Football to help increase the resources at grassroots level. The extra resources, in the way of regionally based staff, aredesigned to providesupport and guidance to the local football community.

The FDM acts a conduit between local Region Commissions, leagues, umpire associations, clubs and of course AFL Victoria.

An overview of the FDM’s role is:

  • Ensure effective participation pathway and transition between age groups.
  • Support clubs with management, training, emergency support - including clarity on rules and regulations.
  • Manage the implementation of the Victorian strategy of NAB AFL Auskick and School Football Programs.
  • Manage other development programs related to umpiring, coaching, volunteer support, fans, female football and multicultural and indigenous.
  • To capitalise on growth opportunities.
  • Assist with infrastructure planning.

As you can see from the brief overview, the position description is quite varied butto me this is the stimulating part of the FDM role.

The fact that one league, one club or umpiring group will all have different circumstances that require different strategies or solutions.

So why have FDM’s throughout the State?

FDM’s provide leagues and clubs, associations and NAB AFL Auskick centres within their regions with a local contact for any issues that they may have.

For local leagues and clubs the FDM should be the first port of call for any issues in relation to their clubs.

The expansion of female, multicultural and indigenous programs throughout the State is very much driven by FDMs, and the management of programs at a local level.

The FDM role in a nutshell is to provide ‘one stop shop’ for all stakeholders in the local football community.

The increase of FDM at grass roots level has also provided a greater resource pool. As most would appreciate country football is always faced with challenges and speaking withother FDMs, it is apparent that most challenges are consistent throughout the State.

The stimulating part of the FDM role is the unknown.

A portion of the role, is dealing and managing issues that arise on a day to day basis, as to what those issues are, well they could be a phone call away.

So to plan a day, is somewhat difficult, but that is the exciting and challenging aspect of the role.

The management of theWorkSafe AFL Victoria Country programs is central to our role and means that on given day we could be managing NAB NABAuskick activities, school football competitions or AFL Player appearances.

Recently Collingwood FC flew to Ouyen to conduct a clinic andlogistically it required a lot of preparation by FDMs and schools to get the students to the clinic.

But to see the excitement on the students’ faces as the players arrived just reinforced why we continue to strive to bring the game to regional towns.

The best part of the role, for me is the interaction that I have with people at league and club level.

I marvel at what people are prepared to do for their Football Club.

These people, who are mostly volunteers see the value of having a club for their sons and daughters and for their communities.

For some, Saturday at the football is the only time they get to interact with others in the community.

The value that Local Football Clubs provide is so vital within communities. This drives me to help clubs as much as possible, so they can continue to operate.