Chairman’s Update

Given our recent member notice regarding the cessation of the role of Head of Football, and a few queries from stakeholders regarding the Board’s reasoning for that decision, the Board has decided it is most appropriate to provide all members with an update.

By way of background, the position of Head of Football was established specifically to oversee football related departments (Technical, Competitions, Referees, etc.) at a time when the chief executive officer’s attention and efforts needed to be directed at the significant works being undertaken on the VSP redevelopment project.

Since that project has now been completed and is fully operational, the Board recently resolved that the chief executive officer should again assume the role of direct management of all heads of departments.

A consequence of that decision, and the resulting cost saving, has enabled Football NSW to commence the establishment of the Member Services and Development unit, which is charged with the responsibility of supporting members, as well as helping building their capabilities and capacity across all their functions areas.

Our commitment to the establishment of this department is borne of the Board’s strong desire, and unsolicited and constructive feedback received from members over the last six months particularly, suggesting the need to attend to long overdue and much improved services and support to them.

This is an entirely new department and follows the very successful models established and implemented by FIFA, UEFA and the AFC, over many years, which have resulted in unprecedented growth to their members.

Moreover, Football NSW have re-established a Commercial department, focussed on the generation of non-football revenue, which will be reinvested into the delivery of services to stakeholders and the game.

As you may be aware, Football NSW’s performance in attracting and generating commercial revenue has not been compatible or acceptable to its standing within the national football community. The re-establishment of this function is a clear demonstration of the Board’s commitment to addressing this.

Football NSW will shortly commence the process of appointing in a full-time capacity, for the first time, a Women’s Advanced Coach Education Manager and a Futsal Manager. These appointments further demonstrate our commitment to front-line service delivery, for our members – and more will follow.

Additionally, I would also like to take this opportunity to provide you with further updates on the progress of other areas the Board and management of Football NSW have been focused on since May this year.

As mentioned previously, the Board has focussed on repositioning Football NSW for stronger governance and management performance and on improving the quality and volume of services and support delivered to our members.

To achieve these improvement outcomes, the Board has worked closely with management on several key activities, two of them being:

·         a new organisational framework, designed to reinvigorate our culture, and focus on the growth of our member’s capabilities and football generally. We are hoping to share more details on this with you all shortly; and

·         the delivery and completion of more than 50 objectives, in the form of a ‘100-day Business Turnaround Action Plan’, intended to establish best-practice policies, processes and systems of management and governance for FNSW. Although most of these improvements will not be evident immediately, or may seem inconsequential, they are incredibly critical to addressing numerous inefficiencies, and ultimately, establishing the professional platform from which the organisation will continue to grow and strengthen.

Each of the decisions made by the Board of Football NSW in the last six months demonstrates the application of a strict decision-making hierarchy (although not formalised in policy) which intends to deliver what is in the best interests of football first, the interest of other groups (associations and clubs) second, and individuals third. The Board and management are stoutly committed to continue following this decision-making hierarchy well into the future.

In the next 12 months, Football NSW’s Board will continue to lead management to work diligently on:

·         Reviewing the competition and pathway structures currently in operation, with a view to ensuring we are facilitating an environment that involves all stakeholders and encourages the development of players, coaches, referees and clubs;

·         Engaging and working with all stakeholders to develop a 2030 Vision for Football NSW, as we build an organisation able to service the future needs of all stakeholders and continue developing football;

·         Working with Football Federation Australia to implement a new IT system that will significantly improve management and governance of Football NSW, our associations and our clubs;

·         Delivering better, and more, workshops that help our associations and our clubs plan, better manage and grow their businesses; and

·         Delivering more and better facilities to our stakeholders through the NSW Asian Cup 2015 Legacy Fund, to name a few.

I hope and trust this update provides you with encouragement of the systematic process being followed and of the continued commitment to strengthening the culture and performance of the organisation, for your benefit, and ultimately football, which we are all servants of.

Yours sincerely,

Anter Isaac,

Chairman.