DOC Update: June 2020
We have now completed 2 weeks of training since the restrictions were lifted. Everyone is to be congratulated.
I have been very impressed with the preparation, enthusiasm and commitment of all coaches. The players are also very excited and doing their best to maintain the social distance requirement. Thank you to all parents for following the drop off and pick up procedures and remaining in parent zones while at the club.
The only aspect of the program that needs emphasizing is the continued need to complete the attendance sheet. Every player, coach, manager, parent and visitor to the club during the training period must have his or her name recorded on the appropriate attendance sheet.
Team finalisation
Coaches in a few affected age groups have been working very hard to try and finalise teams. In the last 2 weeks this has been made a little difficult with a few families deciding not to continue with their child’s registration, some new player registrations and a couple of coaches not returning. The variables keep changing!
I am confident we can announce final teams this week.
Training
There are no changes to the training schedule at this stage. This will occur when restrictions are further lifted in early July.
Some coaches have expressed a desire to conduct training sessions during the school holidays. Coaches will discuss holiday sessions with parents, as needed.
Games
Most coaches are trying to arrange 1 or 2 practice games between 10 July and the start of competition. Parents will be kept informed when games are finalised.
Teams in the under 6 and 7 age groups will also have some internal practice games on our home fields post July 10.
Competition calendar
The competition calendar has now been released and is available for your perusal on our website. You will notice that the competition concludes in October, and in some divisions early November.
Specific fixtures will not be released until just before the commencement of the competition.
Winter-Summer Sport
Some parents have asked about the circumstances of their child also playing a summer sport and the possible tension that may occur with winter sport now intruding into the traditional months of summer sport.
The state government, which recently published the return to winter sport program, is aware of this issue. It is our understanding that the summer sporting associations have been asked to consider delaying the start of their season, and to be part of the overall strategy of helping all in our community to share equally in the burden of the Covid-19 virus. We are unaware of any resolution as yet, but expect further information will be released in the coming months. We are confident a fair resolution will appear in due course.
Coach and manager meetings
Zoom meetings for both managers and coaches will be planned for in the next week or two. This will ensure we are all on the same page as we return to competitive fixtures from 24 July. All teams must have a manager or team leader attending the manager meetings.
The coach meetings will be more focused on the coaching program and expectations.
Brisbane Roar Football Academy
Brisbane Roar recently approached PHFC in the hope of running their Academy on one field, for one evening per week for the rest of the year. After considerable discussion, it was agreed to allow this to occur.
BRFA will pay a rental fee for the use of one field, generating much needed income. Our more talented players will also have an opportunity to show their talents to Roar coaches, and there will also be an opportunity for our coaches to become involved in the Roar Academy, which will further develop their coaching skills.
During this time, the PHFC Committee will explore other options that could develop from collaboration with the Roar.
Holiday Clinic
We have considered the opportunity of running a holiday clinic but believe it is in the best interests of all to let coaches organize their own coaching during the holidays and allow families to have their holiday time as needed.
Thank you everyone for your continued commitment to the club.
Ken Swan
Director of Coaching.