North Ballarat City FNC

One Club

As members and supporters will be well aware, our Club is unique.  In football terms, we cater for footballers commencing with the Auskick program.  Young footballers then play team sport in our Underage competitions in the Ballarat Football League.  Many then progress to play Senior Country Football with North Ballarat City in the Ballarat Football League in Under 18s, Reserves or Seniors.  We are also responsible for the Talented Player Program which sees the best young regional talent participating in the TAC Under 18 Cup (North Ballarat Rebels).  And of course, we also compete (very successfully as the last 2 years show) in the State competition as the Selkirk Roosters.  Through our partial partnership with the North Melbourne Football Club, we also have connection to the highest level of football – the AFL.

We also facilitate and support Women’s Football and Disabled Football.  If this was not enough, we also have a Cricket Club.   We also have netballers competing in the Ballarat Football League.

This complex structure presents significant challenges in the governance and management of all of the constituent parts that are participating under the banner of North Ballarat.

A forum was recently held with the aim of enunciating what we mean by “One Club”.  The notion of One Club has been expounded for some time.  In its basic terms we are seeking to convey that all of the constituent parts compete and participate as One Club.  We endeavour to ensure that equity is maintained through all of those constituent parts.  This, of course, is no easy task but one that we embrace.

The spirit that was engendered at the forum was great.  The overwhelming sentiment expressed was that we are truly One Club, of many parts, and that every part of the Club needs to be supported, celebrated and respected. 

In order to ensure that this message is understood throughout the Club, and the broader community, further work is needed within the Club.   This will be assisted by a working party formed with the intention of providing recommendations to your Board on policies, actions and initiatives that ought be taken to fully implement the One Club philosophy.

I am certain that all those present expressed the same sentiment although different terms and words may have been used.  At the core, and what was very clear, was the overwhelming passion that all sections of our Club have, not only for their own particular interest area but for the Club as a whole.  We may need to re-examine our governance structures but what was importantly enunciated was the need for everyone to respect every part of the Club.  The Club  is obliged to provide leadership and governance for all of the various sections which make up the greater North Ballarat Football Club and ensure that we have consistency in our agreed values, our behaviours, our policies, and an understanding that we are providing an environment for success for all sections of the Club.

Below you will find a “bullet point” summary of the groups that were invited as each sought to enunciate what they believe the Club stands for, and what they believe the One Club means. 

The words may be different but the underlying sentiment was repeated.  Terms such as – mutual respect, passion, appreciating diversity, inclusiveness, shared communication, principles of equity, a full commitment by all sections of the Club, respect, living the One Club philosophy, family values, teamwork,  shared culture, values and ideas.  And finally, and most critically, working together!

The evolution of our Club, as one group described it, is obviously an ongoing process.  Each of us are making our own contribution.  As the Club continues its focus on implementing and selling the One Club philosophy, we seek your acceptance of the notion that we are truly One Club.  United in one purpose  for the greater good of each of our constituent parts.  Most of us will have a particular interest, whether that be having a son or daughter participating in whatever level, whether we be a volunteer or staff member, whether we are a member of the boards or committees, or a participant.

If you have any comments or would like to contribute your own thoughts and sentiments then please feel free to do so. In this case please mail your contribution to

One Club

North Ballarat Football Club

PO Box 151N

Ballarat North

3350

We trust that you will continue your own interest, but join in celebrating the whole Club.

Peter R Wilson