FORMER Essendon managing director Peter Jackson will act as the project manager of a newly formed group aiming to develop a future plan for football and netball in central Victoria.
The group, which will comprise a steering committee and project team, is only in its infancy, but will have three major focuses on which to provide recommendations.
The group yesterday unveiled an outline of its aims under a report titled “Football and Netball in Bendigo - An approach for the Future”.
Jackson will lead a project team to develop recommendations in the areas of:
1 - A sustainable master plan for the development of facilities and resources.
Whereas the initial priority will be given to the Queen Elizabeth Oval, the master plan will cover all facilities and resources for football and netball.
Some of the outcomes being sought also include a charter for the QEO in terms of use and fixturing, and satisfying broader community needs by incorporating other community facilities into the master plan where possible and appropriate.
The master plan will also include options for the funding of any recommended developments.
2 - Improve player pathways in football at all levels in the region, with the exception of the under-18 pathways into the Bendigo Pioneers, which will remain the direct responsibility of AFL Victoria.
The recommendations are likely to cover the areas of improved co-operation between the main football bodies in Bendigo, including player movements and fixturing.
3 - Ways to improve the financial sustainability of football and netball clubs and governing bodies.
The steering committee will comprise seven members, with it to be chaired by Damian Drum, who is also the chairman of the Bendigo Football League.
The Bendigo Bank’s Colin Brady will be the deputy chair.
Also featuring on the steering committee will be Steven Oliver (BFL), David Joss (Bendigo Bombers), Ray Byrne (Bendigo Pioneers and AFL Victoria) and Wayne Walsh (Bendigo District Cricket Association).
A representative of the VCFL will also be included on the committee.
The three-member project team will be made up of Jackson as the project manager, Bendigo Bank Victorian sales and distribution manager Tracy Kulbars, and the City of Greater Bendigo recreation manager Pat Jess.
Jackson is expected to be involved for up to four months and will work to manage and advise Kulbars and Jess to develop their skills and experience so they can provide the continuity for the implementation of the final plan.
The project team will report fortnightly to the steering committee to advise on the progress.
The project team is expected to present the final recommendations to the steering committee by the end of March.
One of the first tasks of the new group is likely to be a major stakeholder forum later this month involving members of the central Victorian football, netball and cricket communities, where they will be informed of what the group aims to achieve.
The involvement of Jackson is a major coup for the group as he was renowned as one of the best administrators in the AFL during his career at Essendon.
Jackson recently stood down as managing director of Essendon, having joined the AFL club in 1996.
While he has been involved at Essendon for 13 years, Jackson is no stranger to Bendigo football, with the city’s VFL club, the Bendigo Bombers, having had an alignment with Essendon since 2003.
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