Matt's work as General Manager, Vice President, Coaching Director, Lead Coach and Age level Coordinator since 2014, coordinating 100+ volunteers has been instrumental in the growth of boys and girls participants at Fitzroy Junior Football Club and the Edinburgh Cricket Club into two of the biggest, most vibrant, and inclusive sporting clubs in Australia.
Fitzroy Junior Football Club (FJFC)
General Manager / Director Of Coaching / Vice President /
Committee Member / Coach 2014 – Present
Committee Member / Coach 2014 – Present
I'm extremely passionate about kids playing sports for fun, friendship, development and self confidence.
With 31 teams and 700 kids including over 200 girls, FJFC is the largest Club in the Largest League (YJFL) in the country.
I'm primarily responsible for the sustainability and operational aspects of the club - Reporting to President, Vice President and Secretary.
I'm primarily responsible for the sustainability and operational aspects of the club - Reporting to President, Vice President and Secretary.
Our Local Football Club is the hub of the community and plays a significant role in the lives of up to 2500 people on a weekly basis throughout the year.
Positions Held:
General Manager - 2021 - Present
Vice President - 2020/21
Operations Manager - 2021-Present
Coaching Director - 2016-2021
Committee Member - 2016-Present
Coach - U9 2014 / U11 2016 / U12 2017 (Grand Final)
U13 2018 / U14 2019 / U15 2020 / U16 2023 (Prelim Final) / Youth Boys 2024 Grand Final Runners Up
Assistant Coach - U10 2015 / Colts (U17/18) 2022/23
Awards/Recognition:
2013 Northern Region AFL Auskick Coach of the year finalist
2017 Northern Region AFL Junior Coach of the year finalist
2018 Northern Region AFL Youth Coach of the year finalist
2024 YLFL Coach Youth Boys Team of the Year Winner
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Facilitated the FJFC Strategic plan to guide the club through the next 5 years
Developed alternate revenue streams to ensure the club is financially sound regardless of registration numbers
Significantly contributed to the continued sustainable growth of the club by focusing on coach development and introduce measures to make coaching more consistent across the club
Introduction of Coach Development Sub Committee
Introduce online coaching tools for all coaches
Growth of Girls Football and Female Coaching pathways
Key infrastructure Development ($10mil)
Successful submission for State Government Grant - $1 million towards Facilities improvements
Key contact for external contacts including local council and YJFL
Facilitated ‘come and try’ session for girls from FJFC to ECC
Manage Parent and Player feedback survey to ensure the program delivered meets members expectations
Introduce FJFC cultural framework and code of conduct documents to ensure all new and current members are abiding by the clubs cultural values of: Fairness, Sportsmanship and Wellbeing
Manage Conduct issues to ensure firm but fair outcomes are reached
List management - from registration through to team allocation - ensuring all teams are viable
Steer the club through the COVID 19 crisis - Key contact with YJFL/Council/DHHS, through to committee and members
FJFC is now a destination club for players where families know the club always holds the highest standards on and off field
Edinburgh Cricket Club (ECC)
Player, Administrator and Coach 2013 – Present
ECC is one of the largest cricket clubs in Victoria - one the largest cricket clubs in Victoria. Winner of CA and CV Community Club of the year in 2018 and 2020 and CV ELP Wooworths Blast Center of the Year in 2019.
ECC has 28 junior sides ranging from Under 10 to Under 18, including 4 junior girls teams. We have a senior women’s team and 8 senior men’s teams including 2 Veterans teams.
Edinburgh has long prided itself on itself on being an inclusive, grass-roots organisation, with strong links to the community. For forty years Edinburgh has offered people from all backgrounds and abilities an opportunity to play cricket.
Player and Level 1 Coach from 2013 - present
Coach: 5 years from U10's through to U12A grade (ECA Premiers 2017/18)
U14 Age Level Coordinator: 2018/19/20
Veterans (Over 40's) Coordinator: 2015 - present - 2x Premierships
Awards/Recognition: 2015/16 Duke Of Edinburgh Award
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Have been part of the club through a significant growth period for Veterans (40’s), and Juniors including addition of girls teams
List management of Veterans and Juniors
Facilitated ‘come and try’ session for girls from FJFC to ECC
Introduced a survey to get player feedback to ensure the program delivered meets members expectations
