Juniors 2017 Season /
Welcome to the SOUTH EASTERN Predators
Congratulations on joining
The South Eastern Predators!
A Bit About the Predators
The Predators were formed in late August 2013 by Mark “Penguin” Levin, John “Tex” Perkins and Wally Sanders after Coaching the Division 1 Vicbowl Champions for the last 2 seasons.
Both Coach Levin and Coach Sanders have been highly successful players, Head Coaches, Club/League and National administrators with 30 years in the sport each. Coach Perkins an ex pat American has been involved at the GV club level for the last 4 years as a coach and administrator.
We quickly added Coach John ‘Wombat” Granat - again a highly successful player for more than 10 years and a Coach with the Monash Warriors, to our ranks along with Coach Trevor Johnson from the US and Coach Paul “Slappa” Fleming.
We chose to locate the club in the South Eastern region of Melbourne and in particular the Bayside/Kingston area, as we and the league recognised a need for a team from this location.
In 2015, we piloted a Junior Varsity (JV) team (ages 11-15 years), to run alongside an already successful Junior Colts programme (ages 15-19 years). We also had a Senior Men’s team for players aged 18 years plus.
Our Philosophy/Ethos.
As a club, we stand to build something, something that has been missing from the landscape of this league for a long time. We look to build a club that strives for perfection both on and off the field, a club that believes it is important to treat its members as family and brothers in arms! This is not always measured in wins and losses! These goals will affect anyone that deems themselves worthy of donning the Predators jersey.
We are asking all those who are willing, to accept and work by a key set of values. These values put the longevity of the club FIRST AND FOREMOST! We are looking to be a dominant force on the field, but more importantly we are building a club that is even stronger off it. THIS STARTS WITH YOU! The way you carry yourself as a player and member of this club will determine our success!
Your junior coaching staff have many years of combined playing and coaching experience. THEY KNOW THIS GAME, THEY KNOW THIS LEAGUE! We require all players and staff to allow/trust them to do our job, always remember that we are working together, and for us to be successful, as a club, we must allow all members to fulfil their roles!
All junior coaches (Colts and JV) have completed their Level 1 Coaching Principles qualification, have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), and have signed a coach’s code of conduct which can be viewed on the club website.
There will be at least 1 coach in each division who will hold their Level 2 Coaching qualification.
There are certain non-negotiable conditions attached with becoming a Predator, most are self-explanatory but it is important that you know what is expected of you:
- Respect will be shown to all coaching staff, administration staff, assistants and players, we are only as strong as our weakest link!
- Heads will be held high win, lose or draw. We will be playing a brand of football at the Predators that will earn respect from the rest of the league!
- Organised SEP events are a MUST ATTEND!!!!
- On field, all that we ask is that you apply yourself and be open to taking direction, your growth as a football player depends on your dedication and ability to listen. WE WILL MAKE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ALL OF YOU!!!
Most importantly, the Predators believe that the years you will spend among this club and its members are likely to be remembered for the rest of your life; the friendships and bonds made here will last a lifetime!
It's now time that you ask yourself, "Have I got what it takes?”
WE CREATE LEGENDS
PREDATORS 2017
About the Predators Program
· Age – You must be 15 years old at least and under 19 as at January 1 2017 for Junior Colts and 11 years old at least and under 16 as at January 1 2017 for JV.
· Training – Pre-season training will start Sunday 9 October 2016 and run until 11December 2016. Training will re commence Sunday 15th January with the first game expected in mid-February, following Super Bowl weekend.
· Registration – We ask all players to register on the club website (https://www.revolutionise.com.au/SEP/registration/ ). If a player is under 18 years, they will need a parent to register also. There is no charge to register and players will only be invoiced after they have trained for a week and made a commitment to either the Head Coach (Jesse Sporton) or the Team Registrar (Annmarie Melville).
· Sideline – At every game, we require assistance from friends and family who will also need to register on the website. If they do not have a child on the team, they will, need a WWCC (this includes senior players).
Duties they may be asked to do are:
- Sideline table -Ball boy
- Chain crew -Down marker
- Time keeper
We may also ask for help in the canteen or setting up on game day and marking the field for home games. It is a great way to not only be involved, but support your son and help raise funds for the club so we can keep fees at a reasonable level.
· Medical Information – The Predators ask for all players to be open and honest with any medical conditions or former injuries prior to beginning training with the side. This is to ensure that no unnecessary strain is placed on the player and, in the case of an emergency, we can be on top of the situation.
· Gear – American Football is famous for its padding. In GV the junior division run in FULL GEAR. The Predators will provide a game day uniform to all players for the 2017 season.
There will be a very limited supply of club owned/borrowed playing equipment available to all our players on a first paid first served basis in season 2017, but we strongly encourage all players to purchase their own playing equipment-good quality gear can be purchased for around $600 and if you do decide to move on, it can easily be on sold. The Predators have various contacts that import American Football equipment into Australia -please speak with Coach Levin about what you should be looking at and where before ordering.
· You will need to provide
o 7-piece lower padding set (can be purchased from the club for $40)
o Mouthguard (not clear or white) available for $5 from club
o Black playing socks
o Football Boots (No metal studs allowed)
Training – Pre Season
Namatijira Reserve, end of Newport Road, Clayton South
Sunday 9th October (Info combine) Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Thursday 13rd October Time 7.00-9.00 pm
Sunday 16th October NO TRAINING VIC BOWL SENIORS
Thursday 20th October Time: 7.00-9.00 pm
Sunday 23rd October Time 10.00am – 1.00pm
Thursday 30th October Time: 7.00-9.00 pm
Etc.
Please note this is a provisional calendar till Sunday 11 December, 2016 and may change if necessary. Training will expect to start again Sunday 15th January 2017.
· Games – The start date for the 2017 Season is expected to be about the weekend February 11th & 12th Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays at various locations and times, decided by Gridiron Victoria. SEP will apply to GV to have several home games in 2017.
· Player Responsibility – As a junior member of the Predators you will be expected to proudly represent the Club. This may include fulfilling such duties as
o Recruitment
o Fund Raising
o Field Work (i.e. chain crew)
· Fees
The Predators have a registration fee to play for the Club. This covers
o GV Registration
o Club registration fee to the league
o Game Day Fees (to a maximum of 10 games)
o Club owned playing uniform for the season
o Ground and Facility Hire
o Training and Playing Equipment
o Presentation night subsidy
This figure has been set at $250 for Colts and $150.00 for JVs for the season (we have been fortunate in that this is the first increase in fees for juniors since the first full season in 2014). The increase is mostly due to the cost of home ground facilities.
If a player is able to settle their fees in full in the first 3 weeks, or has committed to a payment plan and missed no payments in 3 weeks, the fees are reduced to $220 for Colts and $125.00 for JVs. Fees are fully refundable up until December 11th if a player decides they can no longer play.
Should you wish to discuss a payment plan for the upcoming season, please speak to the Team Registrar Annmarie Melville on 0423 891 220
Please see Page 6 for more information on refund policy and club bank account details, PayPal etc.
· Information
All necessary information regarding training, games etc. is posted to the Facebook group and the club website. This group is for coaches, administrators and players only. We have a separate group for seniors and another group for friends and family/supporters. Please see Annmarie if you know anyone who wishes to be added to a group. Everyone has access to the website and are able to register as a sideline/volunteer at no cost. We encourage everyone to check the website and FB regularly.
Equipment Starter Pack (Needed/Compulsory Equipment)
All players will need to have or purchase their own:
- 7-piece lower pad set (integrated pads and pants are available from the club for an extremely reasonable $40)
- mouth guard (Clip to helmet facemask style-available from club for $5)
- Helmets and pads may be available to loan from the club once fees are paid and an agreement completed
Insurance
Neither the league nor the Predators provide any insurance cover for medical expenses or loss of income should you sustain an injury. We at the Predators, recommend that you at very least have Ambulance cover and make your own arrangements as far as health insurance and or income protection, if required. We will not hesitate to call an ambulance, if we have the slightest concern about a player’s wellbeing.
Welcome to the Team
Hopefully this Welcome Pack covers as many questions you may have about playing football with the Predators. However, should you have any other issues, please feel free to contact President Mark Levin or Team Registrar Annmarie Melville at any time.
Glad to have you on our side,
Mark Levin
Club President
The South Eastern Predators
P: 0499 488 880
E:
Annmarie Melville
Team Registrar
P: 0423 891 220
E:
Refund Policy
The Predators fully understand and respect that some players, after their initial run, may decide that American Football is not for them.
As the sport of American Football is unusual for most and to encourage participation or at very least try the sport, the Predators offer what we think to be a fairly unique opportunity.
We have no control over equipment purchases, once they have been paid for and ordered, no refund is possible. However, we will do our utmost to assist in the on selling of the equipment purchased should you elect to give up the sport.
As far as the Club registration is concerned we are and can be far more flexible. If, after trying the sport, you decide you no longer wish to continue, we can refund the fees paid No refunds are possible after the 11th of December 2016 (2 months from the start of the pre-season).
Should you require further clarification regarding this refund policy please do not hesitate to speak to either:
· Club President Mark Levin (0499 488 880)
· Team Registrar Annmarie Melville (0423 891 220)
Due to the fact that we have a refund policy we at the Predators ask that all players intending to train/play must pay their registration to the club before commencing practice, or made arrangements with Annmarie.
We will issue shoulder pads and helmets (if required) once we have received 50% of fees, however the gear will need to remain at the club after training until 80% of fees are paid. Players may take the gear home until the last game of their season once this mark has been reached and/or as long as the payment plan is adhered to.
Bank Account Details
Bank: Bendigo Bank
Account Name South Eastern Predators
BSB: 633-000
Account: 150522829
Please use your name as reference for any deposits
You may pay using PayPal via the website also.
Club Coaching Staff
Club President/Club Director of Coaching
Mark Levin 0499 488 880
and/or
Seniors Head Coach
John Perkins
Team Registrar
Annmarie Melville 0423 891 220
Junior Team Coaching Staff
Junior Colts Head Coach & Offensive Coach
Jesse Sporton 0428 800 911
Junior Colts Defensive Coach
Corey Pettett
Junior Colts Special Teams Coach
Ben Clark
Junior Team Manager
Kelly Vagelatos
Junior Varsity Head Coach & Offensive Coach
Tristan Callaway 0433 753 608
Junior Varsity Defensive Coach
Jordyn Melville
Junior Varsity Assistant Defensive Coach
Odin Vagelatos
8 of 8