Is there any competition available for my very young child?
Yes. We have programs for children as young as 3 years old. Check out our information in the “Little Redbacks” & “Small Sided Football” sections of the website. For additional information see the Optus SSF website. Click through to the Optus SSF website to find out more.
What age group will myself or my child play in?
You will play in the age group that you are turning during the year of the season. For example, if your child is turning (or has turned) 10 years old during the year then they would play in the U10 competition.
For senior teams the regulations state that a player must be older than 15 years old. It is not unusual for some talented players to play in senior men’s teams at this age, however most players would be playing in a junior team up to U18′s.
When does the soccer season run?
April to Sept/Oct – 22 weeks give or take a week, depending on the competition. We also run programs in the summer and TECHfootball+ runs school holiday programs.
Are there any other time requirements outide of these months?
Yes. A period of pre-season training occurs for most age groups (U8 and older).
How many teams are there in the North East soccer competition?
Many. There are multiple leagues depending on skill/age.
Who are they?
If you go here and then in the top right do ‘search for a club’ and type ‘Eltham Redbacks FC’ you can ‘customize’ the site for our club. Then you will be able to find the relevant age group and can see the latest ladders/teams.
Which we be the furthest distance we would have to travel?
About an hours drive from the club would be the absolute maximum journey time. In most cases away games are between 20 to 30 min from Eltham.
Are juniors soccer matches played on Saturdays or Sundays and between what time slot?
Sundays. Time depends on age. Older age groups play later in the day. Our “Little Redbacks” (U3 to U7) play on Saturday morning.
How many times a week do the junior teams train?
Depends on age group. Once for younger teams, twice for older.
Where are your training grounds?
Wattletree Rd, Eltham North.
When and where is your registration?
Registration is online. Please click the ‘Register now!’ button on the website home page for info. Online registration is vie the FFV run website www.myfootballclub.com.
When, where and how many days are we required for trials?
Grading trials are held in February. The dates will be published on the website and emailed to members.
What are the club’s bank account details?
Please see the “Payment” page under the heading “Register”
Do all boys & girls try out and then get mixed up into teams – or do those who have already been playing for the club the previous year get placement first?
It is our policy to provide a team for anyone that wants to play. When we have mass influx (e.g., 2007 after World Cup) then we approach the council for more grounds. We try not turn away any player.
How much and what are the breakdown of the total fees involved including registration, uniforms etc?
You asked for it! Here’s the long answer.
Football Costs
1. Football Federation club affiliation fees
2. Football Federation team membership fees
3. Football Federation player registration fees
4. Football Federation referees administration levy
5. Football federation player transfer fees
6. Football Federation fines
7. Match Referee payments for juniors and seniors
8. Purchase of Playing tops for all teams
9. Purchase of Playing shorts for all teams
10. Purchase of Playing socks for all teams
11. Purchase of training balls for all teams
12. Purchase of match balls for all teams
13. Purchase of cones and bibs and other coaching aids for all teams
14. Technical Director and Team Coaching payments
15. Line marking
16. Purchase of Nets, corner flags, pegs etc
17. Coaching Course reimbursements
18. FFV Team sheet books
19. TrophiesFacilities Costs
1. Council Rent for Clubrooms and Playing Fields at Cedar Ave
2. Floodlighting maintenance at Cedar Ave
3. Electricity for Floodlights and Clubrooms
4. Repair and Maintenance of building items
5. Payment to Council for Facility upgrade contributions
6. Gas and water costsOperational Costs
1. Cleaning of Clubrooms
2. Clubroom Consumables
3. Payment for Annual Liquor Licence renewal
4. Payment for Annual Music Reproduction Licence
5. Building Insurance
6. Public Liability Insurance
7. Contents Insurance
8. Business Disruption and Stock Insurance
9. Telephone Costs
10. Postage costs
11. Post Office Box costs
12. Bank Charges
13. Auditor Fees
14. Office Supplies
15. Advertising
16. Canteen Staff cost
17. Web Hosting
18. Secure EmailThe average costs of operating the club is $481.36 per player (2009 calculation, it’s a bit more expensive now). The revenue stream to cover this cost comes from canteen revenue, fund raising, sponsorship and player registration fees. The more revenue the club can raise in canteen revenue, fund raising and sponsorship comes directly off the player registration fees.The club is currently budgeting $50k from these revenue streams or an average of $133.33 per player. This leaves an average gap of $348 dollars per player to cover in registration fees.
Costs across each age group of the club from Small Sided Football through Juniors to Seniors vary so that is why the registration fees vary however we always try to keep them to the minimum.
Some further points:
* The club has adopted an accredited coaches policy for the delivery of the club’s football program to all junior players. The old parent volunteer coach model that the club was operating was non longer sustainable and was not delivering the consistent quality football programs that the club wanted to deliver to the players, that the players deserved and the parents expected. Gaining accredited coaches for all teams incurs additional expenses in either coaches fees or additional training and accreditation for existing club coaches.
* To oversee the football program to ensure that the club is providing a quality football program in line with the new Football Federation Australia National Curriculum, the club has employed a Football Technical Director. The role of the Football Director is to develop the clubs football program, provide start of season coaching workshops to the coaches and then provide a management and mentoring program for the club coaches throughout the year to ensure that they are providing a quality and consistent football program to the players.
* To develop a quality and consistent club football culture across the club, each player will be provided with their own new playing strip and uniform each year. This will ensure that all players and all teams are dressed the same when representing themselves and the club. In 2009 the club did not have all players within teams wearing the same playing strip nor all teams wearing the same strip. This situation was inconsistent with providing a quality football program that all club players and parents can be proud off. It is also important in season 2010 as at the last Annual General Meeting the club voted for a name change to Eltham Redbacks Football Club. This name change is now official and the club will be moving forward in season 2010 with a new name, club logo and uniform.In 2009 your fees were $170 plus the $10 training levy for the hiring of the facilities at Bundoora for preseason training. The fees for the U9s were set and advertised prior to the the club being aware of the changes to the U9 structure where U9 players would be incorporated into the U10 competition. U10 fees for 2009 were set at $275 plus the $10 training levy. Even though the U9s were moved into the U10s competition the committee made the decision not to impose the additional fees onto the U9s as the club had already advertised the fees and taken registrations from players.
How do your age groups work? Is it what age they turn that year? (eg my son is 14 in may 2010 – which age group would he play in?).
Your son would play U14.
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