At the September meeting of the Croydon Junior Football Club, the committee set the player registration fees for the 2012 season. The fees are $160 for one child or $280 for two or more children in the same family. The club has listened to your feedback and as a result we have decided to do away with the social levy we imposed last year. Additionally there will be no requirement for families to sell chocolates as part of our fundraising efforts. We are also doing our best to employ a second person to work in the canteen each Sunday, meaning that parents will no longer be rostered for this fairly unpopular duty!

In setting the fees for season 2012, the club has taken into consideration the increasing costs associated with running the Croydon Junior Football Club.

Player registration fees do not cover our operating costs, and we rely on the generous support of our sponsors, as well as fundraising and canteen sales revenue.

We believe our fees to be very reasonable and excellent value for money. It is also worth noting that our club is very generous with giveaways to all players. All registered players receive a free CJFC training top. The costs of supplying the training tops has been partially offset thanks to our wonderful training top sponsors being Burdens Bathrooms, Ace Tree Management and this year we welcome MGD Plumbing.

All players moving into the under 11's age group, as well as all new players in under 11's and above age groups also receive a free club tracksuit top and a free CJFC game day carry bag. We thank our major sponsors Vetta Pasta and Burdens Bathrooms for their continued generosity and support to the club.

In relation to the expenses of the CJFC, last season we completed the installation of the lighting on Barngeong oval number 2. This project cost over $100,000 to deliver. Whilst Maroondah Council has contributed towards this project, the junior football club is liable for the vast majority. Due to the hard work of current and previous committees, along with years of fundraising and sponsorship support, we have paid off around $40,000 of our debt. Our loan for the remainder has to be paid by the end of the 2012 season so we will need each and every member to support our major fundraiser for the year. We would also welcome any new sponsors into the club. Please call me to discuss sponsorship options, as we can tailor a package to suit your needs.

As I have previously reported, our club has grown so quickly that we have totally outgrown our out-dated facilities at Barngeong Reserve. A large amount of work has been happening behind the scenes over the last 12 months to develop and part-fund a redevelopment master plan for Barngeong. We are hopeful that we can deliver stage 1 of the building redevelopment by the end of 2013. I will provide greater details on this project in the coming weeks and months but rest assured that your committee is working very hard to achieve our aim to make the Croydon Junior Football Club the best it can be.

Matt Volk
President