We're Back: Return To Play Guidelines

Thirroul JFC is excited about the resumption of playing for our 650 men’s, women’s and junior players from this weekend.

The season will commence for Thirroul JFC teams on Friday night with the Gibson Park Rangers Super Rs playing at home.

Miniroos and Graded Junior teams play their first games of the season on the weekend, while the Thunder play the second round of the Bert Bampton Cup on Saturday and the Thunderbirds are in the finals of the Bonnie Lassie Cup on Sunday.

The Thunder and GPR Community League teams play on Saturday, and the Women’s Youth League and Division 3 Thunderbirds have round one fixtures on Sunday.

However, there are some changes to game day protocols that need to be observed by players, coaches, parents and other spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are intended to assist with hygiene, social distancing and contact tracing.

The key points are:

• Use hand sanitiser - Thirroul JFC has installed hand sanitiser stations at Gibson Park

• Maintain 1.5m distance from other spectators or on the bench

• Limited or no dressing room access for teams (toilets will be open)

• No sharing of drink bottles

• Avoid swapping playing shirts or bibs during matches or at training

• Keep an attendance register for matches and training

More detailed information can be found by clicking the links below:

Coaches and Managers

Parents and Spectators

Players

Return to Football Update: Training and Draw Information

As we get closer to a return to competition, the NSW Government has advised that training can be expanded to groups of 20 from Saturday, 13 June.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Thirroul JFC had already allocated each team with 10 or more players in their squad (Under 10s and older) half of a pitch for training so that groups of 10 within the same team could train side by side on a quarter of a pitch each.

Those groups can now be combined to up to 20 players training together in an area equal to 80 square metres (4 square metres per player).

However, all of the same protocols and requirements remain in place as for training in groups of 10, including:

• All training at Gibson Park to be in the assigned area for each team and at the assigned start and finish times. Click here for a link to the Training Map.

• Players are to come already prepared to train – changing rooms will not be in use.

• Players are to bring their own drink bottles and they are to be labelled. No sharing of drink bottles is permitted.

• No person-to-person contact training drills to be conducted (eg: 1 v1 tackling drills).

• Social distancing to be implemented – 1.5m between players.

• Records of attendance to be maintained. Click here for a template document or take a photo on your phone.

• Handling of equipment to be kept to a minimum. Throw-ins are discouraged (pass-in as in Futsal). Practising of heading by picking up the ball and throwing should be discouraged.

• If training bibs are used, each player is to be allocated a bib and required to take their bib home to wash and return.

For further details click on this LINK or go to the Return To Training Requirements page in the Return To Training Hub at the top of the thirroulfootball.com.au home page.

COMPETITION DRAWS

 These will be published via the Match Centre on the Football South Coast website over the coming week. In summary:

• Juniors, Community League and Women’s Competitions will proceed with a minimum of 14 rounds.

• The Junior Football Council will further liaise with clubs around a final series. 

• The current preference is for the Women’s Competitions and Community League All Age to have a final series.

• Men’s premiership will commence with the Bert Bampton Cup and organised trial games, followed by eleven rounds where all teams play each other once and a final series.

Please note that competition formatting and scheduled games are subject to requirements of the relevant Public Health Order in existence at that time.

FSC is also working on some guides to assist clubs with operational areas around canteens, change rooms, toilets, id checks, team sheet processes, points of entry guidelines for match days.

"It's game on": Senior teams to resume playing from July 1

Thirroul JFC is pleased by the announcement that senior football had been given the green light to resume playing from July 1.

Acting NSW Sports Minister Geoff Lee confirmed on Wednesday that all competitions for junior and senior players could commence from July 1 .

"From July 1, everybody can play - it's game on for the whole community," he told 2GB.

The return of Junior competitions on July 1 had been announced last week, and all Thirroul JFC teams have been training in groups of 10 since May 25.

It is not yet clear when teams can move to training in groups of 20, in line with other states, but Mr Lee confirmed that full contact training would be permitted from July 1, along with competition games for all ages.

The first round of Miniroos and Junior matches are set to be played on the weekend of July 3-5.

It is now expected that competitions for Womens (Thunderbirds) and Community League (Gibson Park Rangers and Thunder amateurs) teams will also commence at the same time.

Football South Coast has proposed that Junior, Womens and Community League teams would play a 14-round season before finals.

This is likely to include some or all of the following measures:

• An extension of competition dates to October, pending discussion with cricket and relevant Local Government Authorities.

• Junior teams to play during July School holidays with the potential for mid-week or double headers.

• Community League playing the last few rounds on a Sunday to allow games on grounds shared by cricket.

• Bonnie Lassie Cup to be resumed for women’s teams, pending any requirements in relation to social gathering rules.

The Thunder is expected to play an 11-round District League competition and finals series, with a pre-season competition or games before Round 1.

Mr Lee "thanked the community for their patience during the pause on local sports".

"Sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports can return to their competitions at the same time as 18-years-and-under," he said.

"We have reduced the spread of COVID-19 to the point where further restrictions can be lifted. It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines that this announcement is possible."

Details about the number of people allowed to attend matches and requirements for canteens to operate are being finalised.

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge welcomed the announcement and thanked the Government for providing the news that will be welcomed by tens of thousands of senior players across the state.

“The Government has done a fantastic job of flattening the curve,” he said.

“That has presented them the opportunity to deliver the fantastic news that football players of all ages will be permitted to play matches from 1 July.

“Football provides enormous mental and physical health, wellbeing and social benefits to the community and this news was much needed at this point in time.”

Football is well placed to return with Football NSW having already developed return to play guidelines.

These will be checked for alignment when the government releases a COVID-19 Safety Plan for sport.

Participants are reminded that until 1 July 2020 the current restrictions remain in effect.

For the avoidance of doubt, no competition matches are permitted to be played (including ‘friendly’ matches) as part of a training session.

Juniors to commence playing from July 1

With Thirroul JFC teams having now returned to training, the club has provided an update on plans to resume playing matches.

The NSW Government announced on Tuesday that junior sport can commence competitions from July 1, as proposed in Football NSW’s Return to Play Framework.

Training continues to be restricted to groups of 10.

It is anticipated that the first round of matches can be played on the weekend of July 3-5.

Football South Coast has proposed that Junior, Womens and Community League teams would play a 14-round season before finals.

This is likely to include some or all of the following measures:

• An extension of competition dates to October, pending discussion with cricket and relevant Local Government Authorities.

• Junior teams to play during July School holidays with the potential for mid-week or double headers.

• Community League playing the last few rounds on a Sunday to allow games on grounds shared by cricket.

• Bonnie Lassie Cup to be resumed for women’s teams, pending any requirements in relation to social gathering rules.

FSC CEO Ann-Marie Balliana told the Illawarra Mercury on Monday: "The sports have submitted information to the NSW government around return to play framework.

“Everybody's hoping for July 1st as a start date. If we start in July, thoughts are we can get 14 rounds in for most competitions, rather than the usual 18.”

NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the government was continuing to work with sporting bodies, including FNSW, to determine a re-start date for senior competitions, with further announcements expected soon.

To prepare for the return to play, FSC has been:

• Liaising with FNSW on the Return to Play Framework

• Drafting competition structures and draws

• Developing guidelines for canteens, dressing rooms and toilets

As soon as further details are confirmed, Thirroul JFC will update all players and parents.

Thirroul JFC would like to acknowledge the efforts of all involved to ensure training has been able to resume by following the guidelines and using a common sense approach around training in groups of 10 as per the NSW Public Health Order, observing social distancing and adhering to hygiene practices.

TJFC outlines concerns over Thirroul Plaza proposal

Thirroul JFC has made the following submission to Wollongong City Council, councillors and Member for Keira, Ryan Park, outlining the club’s concerns about the proposal for 82 apartments as part of a redevelopment of the Thirroul Plaza site.

The club is concerned about the strain on existing infrastructure in Thirroul, including sporting facilities.

This submission was sent on May 27.

Return to training at Gibson Park

Thirroul JFC is excited to announce that teams can return to training at Gibson Park from Monday, 25 May after the club received clearances to resume from Football South Coast and Wollongong City Council.

This follows the lifting of the suspension of football activities by Football NSW on Friday, 22 May.

However, there are some changes in place for the initial return to training and this is going to require the co-operation of all players, parents and coaches.

These are temporary but need to be followed to enable all of our teams to be be able to train under the requirements in place due to COVID-19.

1. Players can only train in groups of up to 10 in an area equivalent to a quarter of a pitch (50m x 30m). To accommodate this, half a field has been allocated for those teams with more than 10 players so coaches can organise two groups to train alongside each other.

2. Coaches/Managers will need to maintain a record of attendance for each session, including which group each player was in. This is for contact tracing purposes if someone in the group or someone who is a close contact of a person in the group was to develop COVID symptoms.

3. All junior teams can only train at Gibson Park once per week and must train at the allocated place at the allocated time. A training map has been published on the thirroulfootball.com.au website. 

4. Teams training on Ground 1 and 2 need to finish by 6pm to avoid any crossover when the senior teams arrive for their sessions on Monday-Thursday nights.

A Return To Training Hub has been created and has other important information about the requirements for players, parents and coaches. 

Click here to read further details about the return to training

Click here to read about the return to training requirements for players, parents and coaches

Please take the time to read this information so you understand the protocols in place for the next few weeks. FNSW have advised that they are seeking a return to play on July 1.

Thirroul JFC has installed hand sanitiser stations outside the canteen and at the other end of the building where the Summer 7s goals are stored, as well as in the male and female toilets.

Team managers or coaches will advise when training resumes for each team.

Simple steps to follow as we resume training. Please follow them and share this video

2020 Season Update

Thirroul JFC welcomes the recent announcements by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier about groups of 10 being able to exercise together outdoors from Friday, May 15.

However, the FFA suspension of football activities until May 31 still applies and the NSW Government has not yet adopted the AIS Framework for rebooting sport.

Therefore any resumption of training or competition can only occur after those steps occur and the NSW Government has approved guidelines developed by Football NSW for a return to play.

Hopefully this can happen quickly but until that process is completed, any type of football activity is not sanctioned and therefore not covered by insurance.

Thirroul JFC understands that everyone is keen to resume training and playing as soon as possible, and we thank you for your patience.

The club is preparing protocols and guidelines in anticipation of a return to training and playing being announced soon.

In the meantime, please continue to use the resources of Thirroul JFC’s Home Training Hub

For further information please click on the links below:

• National Principles for the resumption of Sport and Recreation activities

• AIS Framework for rebooting sport in a COVID-19 environment

• Football NSW statement

• FFA confirms support for COVIDSafe app

• Illawarra Mercury interview with FSC CEO Ann-Marie Balliana

Thirroul JFC Play At Home Challenge

As we wait for the resumption of the 2020 season, Thirroul JFC believes it is important that our 2,000-strong football family remain engaged and motivated.

The club has introduced the Thirroul JFC Play at Home Challenge and invites all our players from Under 6s Miniroos to the senior Thunder, Thunderbirds and Gibson Park Rangers teams to submit videos of themselves juggling or practising skills.

Please email videos to brad.f.walter@gmail.com to post here and on the club’s Facebook pages. 

Cael Gallagher - U14s

TJFC Play at Home - Ren James

FSC: "This is a suspension, NOT a cancellation"

Football South Coast statement:

As much as we miss the game, Football South Coast support the decision to extend the suspension of all football activity until at least May 31, 2020. 
We are finalising competition structures and schedules with clubs to ensure we are able to play football as soon as we can.
We want to make it very clear that this is still a suspension and NOT a cancellation.
We are all eager to get back onto the pitch and will continue to work with our clubs to be ready to commence the season when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, take care and stay safe.

Football NSW statement:

Dear Members,

I write to you on 1 April 2020, a date that should, under normal circumstances, be one of the busiest times of the year with many Community Clubs and Associations ramping up their seasons and the NPL competitions already in full swing. Approximately 250,000 players, coaches and referees across our footprint would normally be training and enjoying their football this weekend. Instead, we are faced with most challenging situation we have ever confronted.

As such, and just as many other businesses, organisations and indeed our own Member Associations and Clubs have, Football NSW has taken the difficult decision to implement a significant workforce restructure in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This follows on from a similar decision by Football Federation Australia.

This restructure, affecting all Football NSW staff, includes the standing down of the majority of employees, and the reduction of salaries of those remaining, from close of business on Friday, 3 April 2020.

It is incredibly distressing for all of the hard-working staff at Football NSW to be informed of the decision. Our staff are incredibly passionate about the game we all love and they often go above and beyond to deliver programs that benefit our entire football community.

Football NSW will constantly review its position to maintain ongoing support for our Associations and Clubs, and the overall football community, during this challenging period. We will be sharing a key contacts list with you later this week.

As challenging as this situation is, I am heartened by the support the football community has shown to each other. It is important that we continue to look out for each other during these difficult times and pull together. We know how important it will be for communities that football can be played as soon as possible.

I wish you and those close to you well and that you stay safe and healthy.

Football Federation Australia statement:

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today advised that, in light of ongoing developments since its original announcement, including stricter measures imposed by the Federal Government in response to COVID-19, the temporary suspension to sanctioned grassroots football competitions and associated training would remain in place until at least 31 May 2020.

The decision is another in a series of measures taken by FFA in response to COVID-19 in consultation with its State and Territory Member Federations and the National COVID-19 Working Committee. 

FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said: “Since our initial announcement, there have been numerous declarations made by, and introduced, across all levels of Government. The measures have continuously tightened restrictions around community gatherings, and the measures announced by the Prime Minister recently increased these restrictions further. While we were not due to make a formal assessment until 14 April 2020, we felt it best to consider our position now in light of this most recent announcement.

“We have determined, with the full backing of all Member Federations, that the temporary suspension to sanctioned grassroots football competitions and associated training will remain in place until at least 31 May 2020.  We will continue to stay in close communications with our Member Federations in the lead up to 31 May 2020, to ensure that the individual circumstances of each state and territory in relation to the status of COVID-19 and the measures or restrictions imposed by individual State/Territory Governments are being considered.

“These are unprecedented times and at this moment, it is very difficult to predict what further measures will be introduced, or for how much longer current measures will be in place.  As we have done with all our decisions to date, we will remain agile and responsive to the prevailing circumstances and still remain optimistic that our Member Federations, which are already considering what adjusted competitions will look like, will be able to complete the grassroots season this year.

“Any decision to resume grassroots football will be made in line with the Federal Government, taking into account the latest health advice at the time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the football and wider community, and in full consultation with our Member Federations and the National COVID-19 Working Committee. The safety of the football community remains our priority.

“We recognise that our participants across the country are eager to understand what all of this means for them so we hope that the announcement today can give them some peace of mind and we ask that they remain positive during these difficult times. As a sport, we must continue to undertake our civic duty as a responsible citizen and do everything we can to contribute to the national efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Football people are resilient, have a strong moral compass and, consequently, I am sure our community will understand this position.

FFA will continue to communicate material updates in the lead up to 31 May 2020.

In order to help the grassroots football community stay active and connected throughout the temporary suspension period, FFA recently launched an online Skills Hub, developed in association with each of Australia’s nine Member Federations. To access the Skills Hub and get involved with the #PlayAtHomeChallenge, please visit www.playfootball.com.au/skills-hub.  

Introducing new sponsor Hallmac Electrical Contractors

Thirroul JFC is delighted to welcome Hallmac Electrical Contractors to the club's family of business supporters.

Hallmac Electrical Contractors will sponsor the Under 8s Purple Thunderbolts in 2020, with the team to wear the company's logo on their playing shirts.

Specialising in retail and commercial fit-outs, Hallmac has a reputation for completing complex projects in pressure-filled situations.

Among the clients Hallmac has recently provided high-end electrical solutions for are H&M Wollongong and Macarthur Square, Grand Cru at Sydney International Airport, Bungalow 8 and Cargo Bar at King Street Wharf, Pyrmont's Terminus Hotel and Zara stores around Australia.

Further information about Hallmac Electrical Contractors can be found by visiting hallmac.com or visiting the company's Facebook page.

Thiroul JFC would like to thank Andrew McIntosh for instigating Hallmac's sponsorship of the Under 8s Purple team in 2020.

The club offers a variety of sponsorship packages for all Thirroul JFC teams, from Under 6s Thunderbolts to our senior Thunder and Thunderbirds teams.

Thirroul JFC is a not-for-profit organisation and relies on community support to enable the club to provide facilities, equipment and playing kits for our 650 registered players.

Further details about supporting the club can be found by clicking the Sponsorship tab on the thirroul football.com.au website.

Grassroots football temporarily suspended

FNSW Coronavirus Notice

Junior Registration: Key Information for 2020

2020 Sponsorship Opportunities

Thirroul JFC is seeking sponsors for the 2020 season for all of our teams, from Under 6s to our senior men’s and women’s teams.

The club also offers the opportunity to sponsor individual players, who will have their registration fees for the 2020 season reimbursed.

It takes a lot of time and money to provide the facilities to allow everyone to participate in and enjoy football, and sponsorship provides additional funds for team kits, training equipment, first aid and physiotherapy supplies and ground maintenance.

Sponsorship provides your business exposure to the Thirroul JFC community, which comprises more than 650 players and their families, and through the club’s website (22,400 page views), Facebook pages (2,000 members) and YouTube videos (20,000 views).

In addition to team sponsorship the club can offer other forms of sponsorship, including:

• Match day advertising at Gibson Park and on the club’s YouTube highlights video

• Individual player sponsorships

• Player or Club Awards

• Special programs organised by the club, such as the Thirroul JFC Skills Development Program

• Junior and senior Summer Sevens

Register for the 2020 season

Registration to play for Thirroul JFC in 2020 is open from Saturday, 4 January.

To register, please visit the playfootball.com.au website. If you want to claim the NSW Government’s Active Kids rebate you need to do so first, via the servicensw.gov.au website.

Information/Registration sessions will also be held at Club Thirroul on:

·         Saturday, February 1: 10am-to-2pm

·         Tuesday, February 4 :6pm-to-8pm

You can access the link below for more information about playing for Thirroul JFC in the 2020 season

Thirroul JFC 2020 Information Booklet

While the start of the football season may still be a while away, team nominations need to be submitted to Football South Coast by mid-February so clubs need to quickly finalise numbers and complete grading sessions. 

Grading trials will commence the week starting Monday, February 3. Details of Grading trials and Meet Your Team sessions will be announced soon.

 There will also be opportunities to purchase playing uniforms before the season starts, including at the Information and Meet Your Team sessions.

John Cropper will again conduct the TJFC Skills Development Program in 2020, with a pre-season program to commence on February 24. Further details will be announced soon.

Thirroul JFC is always looking for sponsors so if you are interested in supporting our club during the 2020 season please ask for further information. Sponsorship packages range from individual players to teams.

For updates, please monitor the thirroulfootball.com.au website and Thirroul Junior Football Facebook page.

KEY DATES

Jan 4: Registration opens online

Feb 1: Information/Registration session at Club Thirroul

Feb 4: Information/Registration session at Club Thirroul

Feb 3-16: Grading for U12-18s.

Mar 28/29: First games for Graded Juniors (U12-18s)

Apr 4: First games for Mini-Roos (U6-11s)

Emma Joubert: The Girl With The Megawatt Smile

Brave, strong, independent, compassionate, intelligent, positive, passionate, courageous, adventurous, kind and caring.

They were some of the words used to describe Emma Joubert as a large gathering of family and friends celebrated her life on Wednesday, December 11.

Most of all, they spoke of her “blinding mega-watt smile that was brighter than the sun itself”.

Even on the football pitch, while playing for the “ThirdBirds”, everyone noticed Emma’s smile.

“Emma was quick on the field and put in a great effort every game with that trademark smile on her face,” her father Craig said on behalf of Emma’s family, mother Evie, brother Sandon and sister Tegan.

“She also had a habit of overbalancing and falling over a lot which would frequently lead to her team being awarded free kicks and penalties.”

Younger sister Tegan told how she had always followed in the footsteps of Emma.

“As a kid I did most of the things that you do,” Tegan said. “We both played the recorder, we went to girl guides, we played soccer, we did athletics and dancing, and we both tore our ACLs twice.”

Emma’s main sporting passion was soccer and she began playing for Thirroul JFC in 2006.

“She was part of some very successful junior girls’ teams before being a part of the fantastic Thunderbirds third division team, affectionately known as the ‘ThirdBirds’,” Craig said.

Many of Emma’s current and former team-mates and others from Thirroul JFC turned out to honour her and share memories.

They heard about Emma’s love for girl guides. cooking, eating cheese, drinking tea, doing craft, playing games and her spirit of adventure.

“From an early age there were two constants in Emma’s life apart from her smile and they were her love of playing sport and her love of Guides,” Craig said. “Guides taught Emma how to be a leader and bought her great joy, many good times and great friendships.”

She was also an adrenalin junkie who was prepared to have a go at anything and Guides provided an outlet for this.

“Despite being small and quiet Emma was very adventurous,” Craig said. “In 2011 she went to New Zealand on an adventure holiday and in 2017, when Emma travelled to Norway for a Guides and Scouts camp, she also took the time to explore both London and Norway.

“Over the years she has bungee-jumped, went in a zorb ball, did white water rafting on a number of occasions, black water rafting, surfing, sky diving, hiking, hang gliding, steering a yacht in Auckland, climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge and went canyoning.”

Emma was born in Brisbane’s Mater Hospital on July 30, 1993. She attended Thirroul Public School and Bulli High School before going to Wollongong University, where she completed a degree in Public Health. Emma later obtained a Masters of Clinical Epidemiology at Newcastle University.

She had a love of spicy food, particularly Asian and Mexican dishes, and shared Evie’s passion for cheese, as well as cooking and tennis.

Evie and Emma went to Melbourne for the Australian Open and also watched the Hopman Cup together, while the family attended Matildas and Socceroos matches.

“Emma will be greatly missed by both family and friends and remembered for her smile, her sense of intelligence, her sense of humour, her generosity, having the softest skin of any human ever and for being beautiful and strong,” Craig said.

“Evie and I are extremely proud of the woman that Emma became. She will be forever young.”

Tegan also paid tribute to Emma’s strength and courage after initially being diagnosed with a cancerous sarcoma in her leg earlier this year.

“As you underwent treatment and surgery I was never once scared because I never once saw you scared,” Tegan said. “You were the bravest, strongest and most determined person I have ever met.

“You were so outstandingly kind, giving, caring, proud … you had the heart of a lion and a raging passion for everything that you do, with the most gentle and loving nature about you.

“I am so immensely proud to call you my big sister. Your laugh, kind nature and smile touched the lives of anyone who met you and you will never be forgotten. Never stop smiling Emma.”

Thunder Coaching Team Announced

Thirroul JFC is pleased to confirm the Thunder’s 2020 coaching team ahead of the resumption of pre-season training on January 7.

Garth Bowley returns as coach of the Thunder First Grade team, which finished just one win short of an historic grand final berth in 2019, with Steve Dobbs as assistant coach and Rick Latini as manager.

Kevin Lewis, who guided the club to a fourth consecutive Reserve Grade grand final triumph and his sixth with the Thunder, will again take charge of Reserve Grade, with Jo Belsito as manager.

Aaron Mott also returns for his second season as Youth Grade coach after taking a young Thirroul team to the finals in 2019. Allen Bond will again manage the Youth Grade team.

Thirroul JFC thanks the above mentioned coaching team for their continued commitment to the Thunder and is looking forward to another exciting season in 2020.

Pre-season training will resume on Tuesday, January 7 at Gibson Park. 

All players interested in playing for the Thunder in 2020 are invited to attend.

Players are requested to arrive by 6.15pm to prepare for a 6.30pm start.

Details of trial matches will be announced soon.

Thunderbirds coaching and pre-season announcement

Thirroul JFC is pleased to announce details of the Thunderbirds coaching team and pre-season training for 2020.

The Thunderbirds Division 1 team will be coached by John Dark and Brad Walter, with Ryan Emerton, Gary Lux and Peter Blackett also having been appointed.

All players interested in playing for the Thunderbirds next season are invited to a kick around on Wednesday, January 22 at Gibson Park, commencing at 6.30pm.

The session will be overseen by the Thunderbirds coaching team, headed by John and Brad.

John has had a long association with Thirroul JFC, guiding many of the current Thunder squad to success at junior level before working alongside John Cropper with the 2016-17 Youth Grade teams and last season’s Division 1 women.

Brad has coached the Thunderbirds WYL team with Kirk Seddon for the past three seasons, developing many of the players who now in the Division 1 squad.

Ryan will again coach Division 2, while Gary will continue as WYL coach and Peter joins the coaching teams as Division 3 coach.

Further coaching appointments will he confirmed once the make-up of the Thunderbirds teams is determined for the 2020 season.

Thirroul JFC thanks John Cropper for his time and commitment coaching the Division 1 Thunderbirds in 2019.

John is continuing in his role of Thirroul JFC mentor: coaching and development, and will have involvement with teams across the club, including the Thunderbirds.

For further information about training or playing for the Thunderbirds in 2020 please contact Brad on 0417 227218 or brad.f.walter@gmail.com

Thunder Pre-season Training and Trials

All players interested in playing for Thirroul Thunder in 2020 are invited to attend a series of pre-season kick-arounds, starting next Tuesday, November 26.

Any new players are welcome, along with players from the 2019 Thunder squad, including Youth Grade..

The sessions will be conducted by the Thunder coaching staff, and players are asked to arrive at Gibson Park at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start.

The dates of the sessions are:

• Tuesday, November 26

• Tuesday, December 3

• Tueday, December 10

The club and players are looking to build on a successful 2019 season in which all three grades qualified for the finals of the FSC District League competition, with Reserve Grade winning the grand final and First Grade falling one win short of a place in the decider.