David Mason: “Football is important to our Communities”

With Grassroots Football set to kick off shortly, well respected Manly Warringah Football Association CEO David Mason highlighted the important role the sport has played within the local community with registrations for the 2021 season well underway.

In what were unprecedented times and challenges in 2020 due to COVID-19, grassroots football in NSW kicked on albeit under strict restrictions, but brought many smiles and joy to many players across the state.

“While 2020 will always be remembered for the COVID-19 challenges, it was also a fantastic reminder of how important grassroots football is to our community and the importance we all place on the simple pleasures we receive from playing the game we love with friends and family to come together at the end of the week.

“When we stared down the barrel of the possibility of no games, we all took a step back and reflected on how important our grassroots football competitions were.

“2021 is a wonderful opportunity for us to build on lessons of 2020 and use community football as a way to enjoy football and ensure it remains at the forefront of the local community.”

Having been involved in football administration since 1998, currently in his fifth year at MWFA, Mason was delighted with the many highlights that took shape in 2020 but again stressed the important role the sport played also from a mental health aspect.

“In 2020 we expanded our women’s Premier League to a squad-based competition after years of building female participation numbers and we had 8 clubs enter first and reserve grade teams. It was a fantastic success in 2020 and it is expected to expand to include more clubs in 2021.

“We have also offered a Men’s Under 21’s and Men’s Over 55 competition as we look to offer competitions and structures that allow footballers to be players for life from the MiniRoos to their latter years.

“Football is a fantastic way for people of all ages to stay fit, healthy, active and socially connected.  We offer a team, club and competition to suit everyone.

“From the MiniRoos for the Under 6’s to the over 40’s and Over 55’s for men and women, boys and girls of all ages and abilities, football offers a safe and inclusive sport that can see you make friends for life.

“2020 proved that football is incredibly resilient and with understanding, unity and passion we managed to complete a season amid once in a generation challenges.”

Volunteers played a vital role in the roll out of the sport in 2020 as Mason paid a glowing tribute to the men, women, boys and girls who once again went above and beyond in supporting their local clubs and looked forward to seeing more new faces in 2021.

“2020 was a tremendous success in the face of unprecedented challenges and that was simply due to the community spirit football on the Northern Beaches has and the work of our army of volunteers who are the fabric of our sport.

“Our grassroots football clubs are driven by volunteers and helping out your local club is a fantastic way to put back into your community, make new friends and have fun along the way.

“The most successful clubs are built on a broad base of volunteers who help each other lay the platform that allows 19,000 local footballers play the game they love every weekend.

“The more volunteers clubs can welcome the better experience we can offer for our children, which ultimately should be the key focus of all junior sporting clubs and competitions.”

Football is a way of life for the 49-year-old football administrator.

Having witnessed some huge and monumental changes at the Association since his introduction in 2017, one things for sure, the game in the Northern Beaches is on the way up.

“The last three years has seen substantial growth in football on the Northern Beaches as we work towards instilling a culture of inclusion and making decisions based on every level of the game. “Grassroots sport should never lose sight of the crucial role it plays as a social connector and enabler for people of all ages to use the sport to enhance their physical and mental well-being.

“That was a crucial lesson from 2020 and we should all keep that in the back of our minds when we move into 2021 and hope to enjoy football in a COVID-normal way.

“So don’t forget, register to play for your local team and enjoy everything that football offers.”

To find your nearest club in the Manly Warringah Football Association area check out the graphic below and register today via the Play Football website on www.playfooball.com.au