2006 BFA Presidents Report.

Unfortunately I cannot attend the League's AGM for 2006 as I am away on leave which was organised some time ago.

2006 was yet another positive year for the Bayside League (BFA) and I wish to thank all of those people that were responsible for making this happen.

First the clubs, their coaches and of course the players themselves – they are to be commended for the improved and excellent standard of football played. This was especially true of the Premier League and the close competition that this particular League demonstrated all year was fantastic.

I congratulate the teams and clubs who won their respective Leagues and also those who won our Cup Competitions, with a special mention to Hampton Park Ladies and Westernport Premier League (Men's) who performed a League and Cup double, a rare feat in the history of the BFA.

I would like to give a big thank you to the referees this year for their assistance overall and welcome on board the new members that Dave Shepherd worked hard to recruit when at the start of the season we had problems with our referees numbers. Also thanks too to Dave for your co-ordination of the referees appointments again this year.

It was encouraging to see that the Ladies League got underway this year and grew in numbers and standard of play as the year progressed. I know that they will go from strength to strength from here and I believe will play an important part of the BFA's ongoing future.

On the disciplinary side we did have some issues but mainly in the earlier part of the year and these were addressed as they needed to be. I believe that in the second half of the year we saw a much more positive and healthy League overall and closer to our aim of making the BFA a safe, enjoyable and friendly League that all participants want to be part of. All of us need to work hard to keep that culture right ongoing.

The BFA juniors also expanded in numbers and had a great year too with an even bigger programme in mind for 2007. We must support this segment of the BFA as it is an important part of the long term future of our League and indeed soccer in the region.

The Leagues efforts for the various charities that we support surpassed all previous efforts and sincere thanks to all those who participated for these great causes (thanks Browny too for you specific endeavours in this regard and for the drive that you and Darryl inject to get the various charity initiatives moving).

Of course in presenting this report I am doing so on behalf of the entire committee as we are a team too and they I can tell you work tirelessly to keep this league running smoothly. They put many hours into their work for little reward other than their love for the game and a willingness to contribute to the betterment of the league itself.

Please thank them for their efforts and encourage them to stay on the committee should they seek to get reappointed, which I am very glad to hear that most of them intend to do so. Certainly I hope that Steve Gray continues to do his outstanding work for the League that he does so well for us now – looking after the website. Also I would encourage any person from the floor to put their name forward and get involved in your League on the committee.

So finally then as I step down from the role as President which I have enjoyed greatly, I thank my fellow committee members and you the clubs for the tremendous support that you have given me over my period in the job.

I hope to continue on the committee in a reduced capacity (with your agreement of course) and perform some tasks for the League that need to be done over the next 12 months (i.e. redraft of constitution, tribunal, insurance etc. etc.). I may not be regularly seen at meetings but I will be assisting the League where I can and within my other work constraints.

Bart Harrold. 9th November 2006