2020 represented a highly challenging and yet rewarding year for the Abbotsford Juniors Football Club.
 
We were largely able to navigate the challenge of COVID-19 and complete a delayed season of football with 14 rounds albeit no finals football (with the exception of a fantastic effort from our BBC losing semi-finalist team) and we did this in a fantastic new football kit which continues to receive compliments from our opposition clubs and members alike.
 
I would like to recognise the un-wavering support and commitment of the AJFC committee and Club volunteers to ensure we delivered a season for our members and players.  A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you.
 
A very big thank you to all the parents of our players for encouraging and supporting your kids on the football field while abiding by the COVID-19 regulations that were enforced. Whilst the regulations seemed tough at the time, we all got through it together and we appreciate the way our members conducted themselves throughout. We are now coming out the other end with a much more normal and exciting 2021 on the horizon.
 
SEASON SUMMARY - ON THE FIELD.
In 2020, we registered 1,215 players with 173 coaches and managers across 86 teams.  This is an outstanding achievement by the Club.  We believe that the delayed COVID-19 start increased our junior registrations when other sports were delayed or cancelled, coinciding with an interest in available community sports sparked amongst school age kid’s parents.

Pleasingly, our Female football playing population continues to grow and now makes up 27.5% of all players.  Our oldest player was 71 and our youngest players were aged under 5.

We had 9 teams win the CDSFA Minor Premiership in the 2020 season (excluding the Over 45 Division 1 Men's team who went through undefeated).

The Abbotsford Juniors Over 30/A Division 1 Womens team achieved a 3rd straight undefeated season and premiership!












 





Abbotsford Juniors Under 13/A Division 1 and Under 12 Division 2 Boys teams both won premierships for the second season in succession...

The Abbotsford Juniors Under 16 Division 1 Girls team went undefeated in the 2020 Season





























The Abbotsford Juniors Under 16 Division 2 Girls team also went undefeated in 2020 to win their premiership


















Not forgetting the Abbotsford Juniors Under 15 Division 1 Boys, the Under 16 Division 1 Boys and the Over 35/7 (Old) Mens team who also brought home premierships in the 2020 season.

A huge thank you to all our volunteer Club Coaches and Managers for your 2020 contributions to our players and the wider Club.
 
As a Club, we again narrowly missed out for the second time in 3 years of being crowned Club Champions within the Canterbury District Soccer Football Assocation competition by 2 points to Cooks River Titans. This second place hurts (we have successfully resist the temptation to request a TRUMP like recount - accepting our fate). However, we will continue to harness the pain of coming 2nd yet again to strive to win this award over coming seasons.
 
OFF FIELD ACHIEVEMENTS;
  - We were thrilled to see all our 2020 players take the field in our splendid new football kits with our new Abbotsford Juniors logo and design. A big THANKS to Chad Gibson and our kit partners, Ultra Football, for their work in preparation for 2020 season! They are already working behind the scenes in readiness for a streamlined 2021 season.

- Nicholas Ancona commenced as our Club’s new Registrar in 2020 with large boots to fill. Nick did an amazing job on a new platform with a whole range of issues to resolve with external stakeholders FFA / FNSW / CDSFA and Dribl and registered 1,388 members.

  - Chris Williamson assisted our club in so many ways throughout 2020, communications, to assisting setup and managing COVID-19 operationally, assisting with trials, coach & players training, club kit sizing and pick up sessions. We are indebted to Chris’ hard work which continues in the off season.

  - Brent Howells (ably assisted), has just concluded the trials for 2021 Season Division 1 teams with over 250 boys and girls trialling. This sets up Abbotsford Juniors perfectly for 2021 football success.
 
CLUB SPONSORS
2020 was not an easy year to be a sponsor of a community football club. COVID-19 restrictions, a shortened and delayed season start all meant that we were not able to engage anywhere near as much as we would have liked with our fabulous sponsors: The Birkenhead Hotel – Love Crepe – Canada Bay Club – Cerrone Jewellers and Wright Way Security. We propose to work harder during the 2021 season to deliver value for both our sponsors and Club members.  This will include holding a 2nd AJFC Golf Day following up on the success of the inaugural day in 2019.
 

CANTEEN
We thank Bruno & Chris (Casa Dei Lupi) who despite the challenge of a shortened season and COVID-19 restrictions impacting attendance and parent numbers, continued to provide a great affordable array of food for Club members and visitors to Campbell Park as well as some specific catering for events.
 
AJFC DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY & COACHING
Our internal Football Academy will continue to evolve with quality coaching devised to upskill players.  In 2021, the Club will introduce specific female coaches to upskill our female players and provide a mentoring style of coaching. As a Club, Abbotsford Juniors will also invest and commit to upskilling and better qualifying our volunteer coaches so they are better equipped to coach and develop our kids. This will provide our kids a better future as footballers and hopefully keep them in grass roots football longer.
 
LADIES FOOTBALL
Our two current Over 30 Women's football teams continued their great success in the 2020 season and the Club would love to add a new All Age women's team in the 2021 season.  Reach out and contact us on info@ajfc.net.au if you are interested.

 











VOLUNTEERING
In addition to our Club Committee and our volunteer Coaches and Managers, the club desperately requires more volunteers to ensure we meet our members expectation and continue to evolve as the best club in the Canada Bay area. If you can assist in any way in 2021, we would love to have you on board so please keep an eye out in January for a  list of volunteer roles.
 
Finally, on behalf of the Abbotsford Juniors Football Club and the wider Club Committee, I want to wish every one of our members, their families and friends, a happy and prosperous Christmas and New Year holiday period.  In these challenging times, please stay safe and enjoy the time you can spend with family and friends.  We we look forward with positivity to seeing you all on the Football field again in 2021.

Adrian Timbs
President