Operational Status
OPERATIONAL STATUS OF MONARO PANTHERS FOOTBALL CLUB
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Monaro Panthers Football Club (MPFC), I am writing to you in my capacity as Vice -President of the Club. Over the past twelve months and the unprecedented flow on effects caused by COVID-19, the committee has been required to make a number of tough financial decisions, in order to ensure we continue to operate as a Football Club within the Region and support you, our football family.
COVID-19
The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) continues to provide information on COVID-19 and the suggested approach to grass roots sport via their website, social media and direct communications with clubs via each state governing body, which in our case is Capital Football. The committee has been working closely with Capital Football (CF) to ensure you have the necessary information regarding the current closures. This is an ongoing issue and one that we will continually update you on when the information comes to hand.
We would like to thank everyone who has registered themselves, or their child/ren to participate in one of our programs over the winter season. Under Capital Footballs guidance, MPFC has closed all registrations for the 2020 playing year, paused any payment plans that are in the system and put measures in place to ensure all registration monies received to date are being held with our bank until we hear more about the future of our sport within the current world-wide pandemic. Until we receive updates and/or revised timings from CF, the committee will continue to prepare for the possibility of a 2020 season in whatever form it may take.
While we know many of you are wondering when we might start to offer refunds, it is the advice of the FFA and CF that will help steer any decisions made about refunds for the 2020 season. This will also impact on any payments owed to our National Premier League Coaching Staff. Until further notice, the club will not be receipting or paying any outstanding debts.
Staffing Issues
This year with the closure of football due to COVID-19, the committee was forced to review our full-time staffing appointments. To alleviate current funding pressures, the decision has been made to make the position of Full Time Sports Development Officer position redundant as of 31 March 2020. This position has been held by Adam Firych for the past two- and three-quarter years. On behalf of the committee and the Monaro Panthers Community we would like to wish Adam all the best and we hope that we can continue to use his coaching and technical skills in the future under alternate arrangements.
Regarding our part-time staff member, the committee and Haidee Whiteley our Club Administrator have agreed that she will be on leave until the resumption of the competition. This will mean Haidee will not be the main point of contact for general emails from the MPFC community. If you have any general questions during the shutdown period please email John.Santolin@monaropanthers.com.au who will respond as soon possible. We ask that during this period we all remain calm in the knowledge that the committee will respond to your enquiries as soon as we can.
Future of Football
The committee will review our financial position and be able to support you should the winter season not progress. The committee will continue to operate throughout the closure to ensure we are well prepared for that day when we can recommence. We are already starting to look at what options (Summer Sixes, Futsal, Academy Sessions etc) can be undertaken to enable our players to get back on the field as quickly as possible.
These are very testing times for us as a club and for many of our community. We understand many of you are doing it tough and we will look to ease that hurt once we have confirmation from CF about the future of grass roots football in Canberra. Stay safe, healthy and try to stay football ready.
Geoff Young
Vice President
Monaro Panthers FC
30 March 2020
