20th August 2021
2021 Winter Season Update & 2022 BDAFA Discount Fund
Dear Members,
It is with great sadness the BDAFA Board announces the abandonment of the 2021 Winter Football Season. Unfortunately, given the current challenges we all face at this point in time with respect to COVID, and the associated lockdowns, it has made the viability of completing the 2021 Winter Football Season untenable. The extended lockdown and restrictions announced by the government today only confirm this is our only course of action available.
We are sure many in the Bankstown Football family, like us, share the disappointment in the season being cut short. Unfortunately, the current landscape left us with no choice.
Competition Outcomes
When reviewing the competitions and possible competition completion scenarios, it was determined by the Board that the fairest outcome for all participants was to not declare any Minor Premiers or Premiers for the 2021 Season. With many competitions having multiple variables to consider in determining an outcome, we are of the belief that football competitions should be won on the pitch and not via a formula or an arbitrary decision in an office. We hope all participants share this view and understand BDAFA’s decision is the most equitable one of all the options which could be considered.
Small Sided Football participants will still receive their participation medallion from BDAFA through their Club when safe to do so. Further communication will be provided to Clubs to co-ordinate the pick-up of medallions at such time.
Player Fees – 2022 Discount Fund
The BDAFA Board has resolved to establish a fund of over $100,000.00 to be used for discounts by our Member Clubs for participants who played in the 2021 BDAFA Winter Season returning to play in the 2022 BDAFA Winter Season. This discount will be provided directly to Clubs who provide discounts on their 2022 season registration which will allow them to further discount this amount from players registration in 2022. The Clubs must also not have any outstanding invoices to be paid to BDAFA to be eligible for the discounts.
The Board recently met with our Member Clubs in respect to this and many have already agreed to review and provide discounts for returning players where possible on their registration fees in 2022. We look forward to working together to ensure our participants are rewarded for their loyalty.
Below is a summary of the rebates being offered by BDAFA for the 2022 season.
| Age Bracket | 2022 Rebate to Returning Players (Inc GST) | 2021 BDAFA Player Fee (Inc GST) |
|---|---|---|
| SSG (up to 12) | $ 15.00 | $ 33.00 |
| Youth (13-18) | $ 20.00 | $ 44.50 |
| Senior 19+ | $ 40.00 | $ 80.00 |
We do however request that participants give their Clubs an opportunity to take time to review their current financial position and how they will schedule their fees for 2022. Clubs will share further information to their members on applicable fees for the 2022 Season in due course.
It should be noted that when Clubs determine their fees and potential discounts for 2022, there are many factors involved which range from expenses which are not recoverable such as uniform costs, training/playing equipment, lighting and other similar expenses.
We still also await feedback on the following items which will be able to assist Clubs in forming their fees for next season:
- Unpaid Referee Fees – BDAFA will be shortly issuing credits to clubs based on unused referee fees.
- Football Australia & Football NSW – Any discounts will be passed onto Member Clubs.
- Canterbury-Bankstown Council – Field Hire costs for 2021 season.
Survey Outcome
Many of you will recall the recent Return to Play survey issued for the 2021 season. We had 2700 participants complete this survey. THANK YOU for your feedback.
This illustrates to us how strong our Bankstown Football community is and how passionate our members are about football. 78% of respondents wanted to return to football … As do we!! If the Public Health Order allows, and it is safe to do so, we will look to provide football in some form to our participants.
Lastly, BDAFA would like to acknowledge and say thank you to our Clubs and their volunteers who have served Bankstown Football tirelessly, in which we would recognise that in our 75 year history as a sport in this area, these may well be the hardest times in our community’s history. Many of you are experiencing great personal hardship and you have, over the last 2 years, still graciously given your time to the Football community. Without you Bankstown Football would not be a success.
To all the players, parents and families that make-up Football in Bankstown, we would not exist without you, and this process over the past 8 weeks has revalidated that Football has a very special place in Bankstown and a passion shared by many for this great game.
We now must look forward to 2022, we look forward to finally being in a position to enjoy football in an uninterrupted season where we can all come back together to enjoy the highs and lows of a game of football.
Finally, thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and we cannot wait to get back to the fields in 2022!
Kind regards,
Dhursalas
Dimitri Hursalas
Chairman – BDAFA
