Dear YJFL Families,
We hope this letter finds you and your family well in difficult times. The 2020 season has been the most difficult since we were formed in 1997, as a League that was & still is financially independent of the AFL.
We are disappointed that despite everyone’s best efforts, we were unable to run a football season this year. On 3 occasions, we thought our season was about to start, but as we all know, it did not. We are conscious that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and may affect our season next year; be assured that the YJFL will continue to hope for and plan to deliver a successful season in 2021.
We want to thank our club volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout this unique season. We are grateful for the wonderful club leaders we have, and we thank them for their guidance during this difficult time. We are acutely aware of how challenging the year has been for YJFL families.
As a not-for-profit company, with full-time & part-time employees and the usual costs of running an enterprise, the volunteer YJFL Board (4 of whom are parents of current YJFL players) have run the League frugally, with an eye to the future. Many of the League’s costs have been incurred, as we were planning a full season in 2020 as recently as March, and then had several months where our staff were working hard for a season that we thought was just about to start. The eventual season cancellation has meant that we have been able to reduce many costs, and other costs have not been incurred at all, including the Colbrow Medic and Umpiring fees.
As a result, the League has funds to return to our families, amounting to $77.45 per player. This is in addition to membership fees being returned to you by your club. This amount has been calculated to ensure we can continue to provide a high-quality junior football competition, by training & supporting club officials from 32 clubs who deliver 270+ games per week, as well as recruit and develop our umpires, run the Under 8s and Under 9s carnival days, and of course the Under 10 lightning premiership.
The League will return funds to families in 3 ways:
Returning players in 2021 will receive a discount of $77.45 per player, automatically applied to their League fees when registering for the 2021 season.
The YJFL will offer hardship cash payments (as we have done historically) for those families who are experiencing significant financial hardship. Families wishing to apply may use this application link – please note applications will close on Friday 18 September. All applications will be confirmed by our on-line system, and a decision advised by email during the week beginning Monday 28 September. Families whose applications are approved will receive payments of $77.45 per player in that week, and will also receive the discount of $77.45 per player on the YJFL fees for the 2021 season.
Top-age Colts and Youth Girls players (not being eligible to play in the YJFL in 2021) will receive a payment of $77.45 per player. Payments will be made during the week beginning Monday, 28 September 2020. These players are not required to apply; the funds will automatically be credited to the card or account which was used to make the initial registration payment.
Our approach to the return of registration fees aligns with AFL advice to us, which has been reviewed by the ACCC. The ACCC has published guidance to consumers on their rights relating to Local Sporting Clubs and Associations, which are located using this link:
The YJFL has worked closely with our member clubs regarding both club and League registration fees; with club input, the YJFL has decided that the YJFL registration price for 2021 will be set at the same price as the 2020 season, $177.45. After the discount has been applied, returning players will therefore pay the League fee of $100 for the 2021 season, with this $100 payment fully credited to the 2022 season if there is no season in 2021. The club registration fee will be additional to this League fee.
Many clubs will open 2021 Registrations on 1 November, and the League is working with clubs and Councils to secure venues for training sessions before Christmas, should clubs be interested and the Government roadmap announced yesterday allow it.
Should you have any questions about this letter, please email us at support@yarrajfl.org.au.
We thank you again for your support in 2020. We look forward to our boys and girls having football back as part of their lives in 2021.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Hooper YJFL President
