West Gippsland footy in good hands

By Aiden Box

BRETT Tessari is settling into his new role as the football operations manager for the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) after making the switch from his role as Gippsland League chair. 

The new West Gippy’ OM was good enough to speak to the Sentinel Times last week about the role and what he’s learnt so far. 

“I’m really enjoying it, it’s completely new to me, a lot of things, I’m just getting my head over the sponsorship contracts and introducing myself to them and to the presidents,” he said. 

Tessari is devoted to developing the competition further but says he will remain very cautious in doing so, so that the key element to the league is not lost.

“It’s a fantastic competition, its very community based, so it’s really important that moving forward we improve as a competition, but we keep that feel as a community-based competition,” he said. 

“So that’s what I’m hearing and that’s what I’m looking forward to working on, but we also need to improve and do some things better.”

The WGFNC has 12 clubs, and the new footy OM gave his analysis of where they’re at going into season 2023. 

“There’s a bit of a concern, in football right across the state, in keeping the interest of the younger – under 16 and 18s – involved,” he said.

“So that’s obviously an issue with the West Gippsland comp as well, so that’s something that we’ll work on.

“But the clubs in general are in really strong positions, but it’s really important moving forward that all clubs continue to be viable, and all clubs can enjoy the competition and everything that comes with it without the concerns of numbers and finances dwindling.”

With dominant seasons from the competitions top clubs coinciding with clubs continuing to struggle at the bottom of the table, Tessari was asked about the possible strategies to even out the competition and others which are in the same situation. 

“As far as evening out the competition, that’s what I’m touching on in terms of the clubs remaining viable and being able to continue on, enjoy and prosper,” he said. 

“The beauty of the WGFNC is the demographics, the position it’s in from Tooradin to Warragul down the highway it’s just gold, the possibilities for this competition are huge.

“And as we continue to improve and be more professional moving forward who knows what might happen, but certainly, I am 100% focused on improving the league, making sure it continues to move forward and continues to be one of the best competitions in Gippsland.”

Despite his passion and will to improve the competition, the new OM announced it’s unlikely the league will undergo any big changes this season. 

“I think it’s really important for the 2023 season that we just get through it, administered by ourselves, but until I meet with the presidents we’ll wait and see, we’ll work towards any change from 2024,” he said. 

After an excellent season which saw them win their first premiership in the new era of the WGFNC, Tooradin-Dalmore will be the team to beat in the senior football division, according to Tessari. 

“Certainly, I suspect that Tooradin-Dalmore will be there abouts again, Phillip Island too, I know Inverloch Kongwak are really confident with how they’re looking,” he said. 

Tessari also welcomed incoming netball co-ordinator Ricky McNaughton to his role last week, the pair will take charge of WGFNC operations in 2023. 

The WGFNC kicks off on Saturday, April 1, in Tooradin where reigning senior premiers Tooradin-Dalmore will take on Cora Lynn in a stand alone showcase match to open Round 1.