Gaelic Football in South Australia

[Major Gun]

CT, we are not suggesting the problems are the fault of the committee but in fact the responsibility of the committee. The problems such as those I will mention blow(just to mention a couple from recent weeks) are the responsibility of the committee every week, not once a month.

1 Irish Australian Women's team folding while another I.A women's team struggles for numbers in the weeks that followed (why not merge?). Cougars girls have left the IA umbrella in fact to keep playing. The IA men have split in two leaving Mitcham competitive at least, while IA men are back to doing their South Adelaide impersonation. Like it or not the President is an IA member. If some of these teams have no loyalty to the IA banner then what is the point of them all being IA affiliates?

No refs at games or a visible roster (until recently???) Who do people turn to for these problems to be solved?...Norm, Mick, Javor....(the committee from two years ago) or a committee member who just happens to be there because they are playing.

Teams asked to do the bar two weeks in a row with two 9.15 games in a row. Then asked to supply umpires for the 6.45 game?

A player asked by a committee member to take off his playing shirt so he could ref.

Don't do a Mick Atkinson and blame the bloggers. Sure some need to do more but as you said the AGM is soon. Don't discount the people who work their arses off for Gaelic though without needing a committee position. I see your point but let's not forget the issues for the sake of bagging us sukky sukky la las. If I can't have a suk what am I supposed to do over my morning coffee? Work? Come on!

[wristwatcher]

Well said MG.... I can understand CT,S opinion but the fact is your commitee member (Pres Zalus) is the only one we see at games that hes not playing in, has more or less run 7 a side, does work behind the bar and in general performs a similar role to the likes of your Murphys,Dunnes etc. I dont think anyone could fault the positive pro-active roles he has taken. It is my understanding that he also does the website!!! I guess that leads to the question, What are the others doing? At what point will we actually have ofiicials for the first game of a friday or sunday ? Perhaps if you make Mr GrayHam McMudge a commitee member then the claim could be made that a member is actually present for all Gaelic events.

[Neville Bartoss]

As far as Im concerned I play gaelic as a means of keeping the fitness up in the pre season and catching up with mates. I pay my registration and I pay to play. Just because I play does not mean I need to be a part of the committee, organising a team for Flinders each week is a job in its self!

From my experiences that I have had with the president and secretary I believe they do a great job, they put in alot of time and effort to run the comp especially considering all the other commitments they have with work etc.

The only problem Ive ever had is with a minority of persons on the current committee (mainly involved with the mens sides) who seem to influence the other members of the committee with their decision making. Unfortunately this often creates the situation where decisions are based on the opinions and personal gripes rather than those based on the facts. There needs to be some sort of independent body where matters can be heard once a decison is made by the committee (or should I say two persons).

Last year I appealed a suspension I was given. In the hearing there was a committee representative, myself, and a flinders representative. The independent person overseeing the whole hearing and making the final decision was........the past president of the committee who was president at the time of the incident!! The referee involved was not required to attend and the decision was made based on a one line match report. Im not saying my actions were appropriate (calling the ref a joke) but all we asked for was a fair hearing, and in my opinion a 3 game suspension (was initially 6) was excessive where I believe a one match ban was more than appropriate.

The system is a joke and im not even going to bring up our most recent appeal which cost us one hundred dollars and we weren't even permitted to have a representative club rep or player involved present during this hearing.

[Swooper16]

Cant say I am all that keen on the "politics" that is SA Gaelic footy... anyone believe Onkas can be beaten for this years Hannigan cup...?

[Neville Bartoss]

Cant say I am all that keen on the "politics" that is SA Gaelic footy... anyone believe Onkas can be beaten for this years Hannigan cup...?

Agree, have stayed well clear recently.

Onkas are the favorites but they are definitely not unbeatable.

[Swooper16]

I agree. Onkas were in this position last year and fell over at the semi final stage. Think they have alot more depth tho this year. But as we saw in last years Hannigan Cup anything can happen on the day..!!

[O'Neills Only]

As far as Im concerned I play gaelic as a means of keeping the fitness up in the pre season and catching up with mates. I pay my registration and I pay to play. Just because I play does not mean I need to be a part of the committee, organising a team for Flinders each week is a job in its self!

From my experiences that I have had with the president and secretary I believe they do a great job, they put in alot of time and effort to run the comp especially considering all the other commitments they have with work etc.

The only problem Ive ever had is with a minority of persons on the current committee (mainly involved with the mens sides) who seem to influence the other members of the committee with their decision making. Unfortunately this often creates the situation where decisions are based on the opinions and personal gripes rather than those based on the facts. There needs to be some sort of independent body where matters can be heard once a decison is made by the committee (or should I say two persons).

Last year I appealed a suspension I was given. In the hearing there was a committee representative, myself, and a flinders representative. The independent person overseeing the whole hearing and making the final decision was........the past president of the committee who was president at the time of the incident!! The referee involved was not required to attend and the decision was made based on a one line match report. Im not saying my actions were appropriate (calling the ref a joke) but all we asked for was a fair hearing, and in my opinion a 3 game suspension (was initially 6) was excessive where I believe a one match ban was more than appropriate.

The system is a joke and im not even going to bring up our most recent appeal which cost us one hundred dollars and we weren't even permitted to have a representative club rep or player involved present during this hearing.

Nifty, you've gotta let it go or at least come to terms with it. The Disciplinary processes and appeal processes we have are the same throughout the GAA in Ireland and everywhere. I for one would agree that they can be difficult to understand and penalties harsh, compared to other Aussie sport cultures. - but they are the rules. I've been on both ends - more of the receiving than the giving and it certainly is a test of one's commitment to the game.

The more recent one you refer to is a great example of us having control of our game. Our peers, through club delegates and committee members, have spoken - that's what we elect them to do. The last process was not a hearing. It was a determination by the national body that there were no grounds for appeal, ie: the State committee had not erred or misapplied a rule.

Now the only way one can try and get things changed is to actually get involved - and then it's a very long painstaking process - but every now and then you can make a difference; you can have some wins on the way. When it comes to the processes and penalties though, there needs to be significant change, at least at the national level - God and a few other people know we have tried.

Back to the general politics: as for the current committee, it has to be said that they are young, or relatively new and have some pretty big shoes to fill. They are trying new ideas and they are trying to have all clubs share the responsibility. Everybody's contribution is valuable - from the person trying the game for the first time, to people taking on roles within their own clubs, to club delegates, to committee members and ultimately to those that take on senior positions on committee and with State teams. It is a long, slow process and takes people years to develop. Mistakes will be made along the way, people will learn from them and they will improve upon them. We need to be very careful about how we go about voicing our criticism, no matter how valid it may be. The current committee is willing to run again and I know they will want to improve on their ideas moving forward.

It's a pity we don't have the resources to pay for a full time General Manager as other sporting organisations might have - it could be done though by increasing fees to our relatively small membership by about $70 to $100 per person per year - or an extra $5 per game. Food for thought. It would be worth it and you would get a lot done and take a lot of pressure off volunteers.

[O'Neills Only]

Hannigan Cup tips:
Onkas should finish top and cruise through semi to GF
WI and Taints to play off for the other spot. Both capable of winning semi. I think WI will want to atone for dropping out last year and put a better side on the park.
Onkas v W Ireland GF - Onkas to win. Triple after tonight??? What was result? I'm in Ballarat and hangin' out to know.

[Cheese Twisties]

Onkas won their 2nd Gaelic7s championship on the trot last night, beating Western Ireland 5.20 to 3.14 or something like that.... was all even at half time tho, and the game was played at a good pace and in a good spirit!

These 2 sides rematch in the State League on Friday night which should be a cracker.

[Flinders O'Neills]

Just food for thought...and I have no real answer to the problem.....

Lads that we get out to play are there to do just that PLAY, mention any extra duties and responsbilities that are been thrust upon us and they run a mile, and just don't want to play or know about it......

I think a problem may be the different culture that exsists between the mens and womens codes......

[Neville Bartoss]

As far as Im concerned I play gaelic as a means of keeping the fitness up in the pre season and catching up with mates. I pay my registration and I pay to play. Just because I play does not mean I need to be a part of the committee, organising a team for Flinders each week is a job in its self!

From my experiences that I have had with the president and secretary I believe they do a great job, they put in alot of time and effort to run the comp especially considering all the other commitments they have with work etc.

The only problem Ive ever had is with a minority of persons on the current committee (mainly involved with the mens sides) who seem to influence the other members of the committee with their decision making. Unfortunately this often creates the situation where decisions are based on the opinions and personal gripes rather than those based on the facts. There needs to be some sort of independent body where matters can be heard once a decison is made by the committee (or should I say two persons).

Last year I appealed a suspension I was given. In the hearing there was a committee representative, myself, and a flinders representative. The independent person overseeing the whole hearing and making the final decision was........the past president of the committee who was president at the time of the incident!! The referee involved was not required to attend and the decision was made based on a one line match report. Im not saying my actions were appropriate (calling the ref a joke) but all we asked for was a fair hearing, and in my opinion a 3 game suspension (was initially 6) was excessive where I believe a one match ban was more than appropriate.

The system is a joke and im not even going to bring up our most recent appeal which cost us one hundred dollars and we weren't even permitted to have a representative club rep or player involved present during this hearing.

Nifty, you've gotta let it go or at least come to terms with it. The Disciplinary processes and appeal processes we have are the same throughout the GAA in Ireland and everywhere. I for one would agree that they can be difficult to understand and penalties harsh, compared to other Aussie sport cultures. - but they are the rules. I've been on both ends - more of the receiving than the giving and it certainly is a test of one's commitment to the game.

The more recent one you refer to is a great example of us having control of our game. Our peers, through club delegates and committee members, have spoken - that's what we elect them to do. The last process was not a hearing. It was a determination by the national body that there were no grounds for appeal, ie: the State committee had not erred or misapplied a rule.

Now the only way one can try and get things changed is to actually get involved - and then it's a very long painstaking process - but every now and then you can make a difference; you can have some wins on the way. When it comes to the processes and penalties though, there needs to be significant change, at least at the national level - God and a few other people know we have tried.

Back to the general politics: as for the current committee, it has to be said that they are young, or relatively new and have some pretty big shoes to fill. They are trying new ideas and they are trying to have all clubs share the responsibility. Everybody's contribution is valuable - from the person trying the game for the first time, to people taking on roles within their own clubs, to club delegates, to committee members and ultimately to those that take on senior positions on committee and with State teams. It is a long, slow process and takes people years to develop. Mistakes will be made along the way, people will learn from them and they will improve upon them. We need to be very careful about how we go about voicing our criticism, no matter how valid it may be. The current committee is willing to run again and I know they will want to improve on their ideas moving forward.

It's a pity we don't have the resources to pay for a full time General Manager as other sporting organisations might have - it could be done though by increasing fees to our relatively small membership by about $70 to $100 per person per year - or an extra $5 per game. Food for thought. It would be worth it and you would get a lot done and take a lot of pressure off volunteers.

I agree that you have to be in the committee to make a difference and to be honest I do not have the time nor the patience to do this. Ive given up on trying to beat the system and now just go out and have a run every week and try and get Flinders up near the top where they belong.

In relation to fees, its a bit more than the seventy dollars you speak of Oneills. There is a thirty dollar registration fee, and ten dollars per game. This equates to about one hundred and fifty dollars a season for twelve games plus a little more if you play finals.

[Breaking Balls]

Zeus mate, you're keeping Gaelic Football alive in South Australia. The website is fantastic however i would love you to a.s.a.p add a new paragraph with the heading: 'ONKAS GO BACK TO BACK.

Now everyone on this Blog stop your bitching, complaining and pointless long paragraphs of absolute bull shit, and pull your finger out and make this Comp as good as it can be.

If everyone was like the big polish bear, we wouldn't need a heaven, we'd already be there!

Yours in Gaelic Football!

BREAKING BALLS (Anonymous)

[Major Gun]

BB. Spot on. The big Z is keeping the comp alive by offering some hope. Thanks for agreeing with the bullshit long posts. The fact you want to remain anon' sums the situation up. You are the perfect definition of an oxymoron

[Zelezny Chucks]

I have it on good authority that Whitto's favourite Big Polish Bear will be running in the upcoming state election on the platform of Gaelic Footy - Where the bloody hell are ya?

Current election promises include a stadium run by GFHASA built in Victoria Sq that will be a shared venture with the FFSA, as well as every monday to be declared a public holiday for all Gaelic players, this should see numbers skyrocket.

[O'Neills Only]

NIfty said:

In relation to fees, its a bit more than the seventy dollars you speak of Oneills. There is a thirty dollar registration fee, and ten dollars per game. This equates to about one hundred and fifty dollars a season for twelve games plus a little more if you play finals.

Yeah I know - probably more in fact. Here's what I said:

it could be done though by increasing fees to our relatively small membership by about $70 to $100 per person per year - or an extra $5 per game.

Still cheap compared to just about any other sport.

[Cheese Twisties]

Just received a text from someone who will remain ANONYMOUS stating that Onkas beat Western Ireland by 2 points in tonight's block buster at St Marys Park! Here's hoping a match review finds its way to these pages shortly.

The Taints are running the match day on Sunday - gods willing we will have the goals, scoreboard, and bar operational for that pesky first game! In yet another Taints initiative we will also have a flower stall running to bail out any lads who have taken off to Gaelic forgetting its Valentines Day...

[Neville Bartoss]

NIfty said:

In relation to fees, its a bit more than the seventy dollars you speak of Oneills. There is a thirty dollar registration fee, and ten dollars per game. This equates to about one hundred and fifty dollars a season for twelve games plus a little more if you play finals.

Yeah I know - probably more in fact. Here's what I said:

it could be done though by increasing fees to our relatively small membership by about $70 to $100 per person per year - or an extra $5 per game.

Still cheap compared to just about any other sport.

Sorry I stand corrected, I thought you were referring to the total cost.

However I would not play gaelic if the registration was 100 dollars and I cant safely say most of our players wouldnt pay it either! Thirty dollars for registration is more than enough (which i was lead to believe goes to the national association anyway?) while the match fees are probably about where they should be.

Not that cheap considering the season consists of 12 rounds...

[the milky bar kid]

No round up of the weekends games? Surely there was a little bit of quality gaelic going around on the weekend? Or was everybody trying to the right thing for valentines day & stay of safooty for just one night?
Anyway, I know Na Fianna came up trumps with a handy win over Mitcham. Flinders would now need to pull off a huge victory (to over come points difference as a result of losing the referee point) to displace the Warriors in the four.
I believe that after their 9-a-side contest that Onka's backed up with another win against WI. They are a fair chance to see each other in the post season tho.
I can only assume that the Taints accounted for IA.
Well done to the president Zues on his reffing performance, was it his reffing debut?

[Neville Bartoss]

No round up of the weekends games? Surely there was a little bit of quality gaelic going around on the weekend? Or was everybody trying to the right thing for valentines day & stay of safooty for just one night?
Anyway, I know Na Fianna came up trumps with a handy win over Mitcham. Flinders would now need to pull off a huge victory (to over come points difference as a result of losing the referee point) to displace the Warriors in the four.
I believe that after their 9-a-side contest that Onka's backed up with another win against WI. They are a fair chance to see each other in the post season tho.
I can only assume that the Taints accounted for IA.
Well done to the president Zues on his reffing performance, was it his reffing debut?

Why do we lose another point? We lost one in the pre christmas? We have not been given the chance to provide a ref as there has been no second course?

[the milky bar kid]

I'm just going off the general consensus that i've heard from Gaelic park. Don't quote me on this but i do believe that the post season is defined as a different season & clubs are to provide a ref for each season.
I also believe that the pre x-mas training course was designed with the post season in mind, all the guys that participated there have slowly filtered thru to reffing post x-mas season.
As I said i'm just going off what i've heard at St Mary's.