PJFC Newsletter: Issue #2

PJFC Newsletter, Issue #2 - January 30, 2025

We hope you've all had a great summer and are excited for the 2025 season ahead!

We've had a fantastic start with over 250 players registered, and we're on track for a record number of teams. Be mindful that if you haven’t already, please register TODAY to avoid disappointment. 
 
A special welcome to the 20+ new players and families who have recently joined the PJFC community—we’re thrilled to have you with us!

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide our PJFC community with “must know” as we prepare for the 2025 football season.
This week’s newsletter includes: 

  • Registrations are open and teams are filling up quickly. We encourage all players to register soon. http://www.prahranjfc.com/pages/page-registrations 
  • Pre-Season training: commences Tuesday 11 Feb, and will run each Tuesday & Thursday
  • Grading Information and dates
  • Team Planning for 2025
  • Congrats to AFLW draftee: Sophie McKay
  • PFC (Seniors) Women’s Team is recruiting
  • Return to Toorak Park
  • Key dates 
  • Registration FAQ 

Registrations

 
Registrations are open and with over 250 players already signed up for 2025, we’re set for another fantastic year. We’re aiming to field a record 31 teams this season, ranging from Under 8s to Under 18s, including boys, girls, and mixed teams.
 
For more details on age groups, fees, the registration process through PlayHQ, and the code of conduct, please refer to the registration link above.
 
To be part of the 2025 Prahran journey, we encourage parents to register their child as soon as possible—ideally by 1 February, to avoid disappointment. 

Early registration also allows the Committee more time to plan and allocate teams. This can not be done until significant registrations have been processed and adequate player numbers to field a full team has been met. 

Existing PJFC players have priority for team placements until 1st February. After that, player transfers from other clubs will be accepted. 
 
We aim to avoid over - or under - subscribing teams, as this affects both players and families. As in previous years, team sizes are limited, and registrations are first-come, first-served. Once a team reaches capacity, we will close or pause registrations for that age group. A waitlist will be maintained, and registrations will only reopen if there are enough waitlisted players to form an additional team.
 
Registrations remain open after 1 February, but may close for some age groups by mid-March to finalise team allocations.
Teams and coaches will be announced on 25 March - for graded teams (post grading sessions)

We hope to release all other teams and coaches earlier, however this is pending registration numbers. Be mindful that currently, only a third of our 2024 members have registered for 2025, so please remind your friends and family members to get on board to help us in this process.

*Grading occurs from U12 upwards if there is more than 1 team in the age group.

If your child decides not to play for PJFC this year, it would be helpful to notify us at registrar@prahranjfc.com as this assists us with team planning.  

 

 

Summer Development Program
 
Our Sunday morning Summer Skills Sessions at Auburn High School have been a hit, with over 120 kids joining in to improve their skills, meet other kids, and enjoy some footy fun.

The final session is Sunday, 2 February, before we kick off the PJFC pre-season program.

As this Sunday is a warm one, we have moved the later U9-12 age group to 9am - 10am to avoid the heat.

 

 
Pre-Season Training

Get ready for season 2025 with PJFC preseason training!

These sessions are optional and open to all age groups. It is fantastic chance to learn from our senior coaching team, build fitness, sharpen skills, and have fun.

Revised Pre Season Sessions
  • Tuesday 11th Feb till Thursday 27th Feb, (Tuesday and Thursdays)
  • Time: TBC
  • Venue: TBC
We are awaiting ground allocations, but details on locations and times will be shared via email and the website very soon.

Sessions will be led by Wayne Oswald (Director of Development) and Ben Schauder (GM Footy Operations). 

 

 
Grading and Training/Games
 
Grading applies to Under 12s and older in age groups with more than one team (not all age groups are graded).

Grading Training
  • Sunday 2nd March
  • Time: TBC
  • Venue: Auburn High (entrance Tooronga Rd)
There will be no grading training on the long weekend and we will advise a replacement date for the second grading training session as soon as possible.
 
Grading Games
  • Sunday 16th and 23rd March
  • Time: TBC
  • Venue: TBC
Details on venues and times will be shared soon

 

PJFC Team/Grading Allocation Principles

Players are allocated to teams after registrations close or as squads near capacity. Register early to secure your spot and avoid waitlisting.

Our team allocation philosophy emphasizes players benefiting from meeting children from different schools and backgrounds, and learning from experienced Coaches who change at different stages throughout their football journey.

Our grading and team selection principles by age group are as follows:

U8–U10:
  • Teams are intentionally mixed to embrace our key values of diversity, inclusion and meeting new kids.
  • Players are placed with 1–2 friends but not as “whole school teams,” preparing them for older age groups where teams are based on ability.

U11–U14:
  • U11: Some players are adjusted based on ability to create balanced teams for different divisions, following SMJFL guidelines and club philosophy.
  • U12–U14: Teams are allocated based on ability through an independent grading process.
U15–U18:
  • We focus on skill development, pathways, and maximising player potential, with transparent conversations around expectations.
  • Team grading considers prior competitiveness and desired competition level.

 

 
PJFC Teams and Age Group Planning 2025

Our 2025 team plans are outlined below, subject to registration numbers. Early registrations are encouraged to support our planning.

U8–U10:

  • Girls: Aiming for a team in each year level, subject to registrations.
  • Mixed/Boys: At least 2 teams per year level, likely 3.


Balanced teams encourage fun, friendship, and skill development.

U11–U14:

  • Girls: 1 team each in U11 & U14, and 2 teams in U12 & U13.
  • Mixed/Boys: At least 2 teams per year level, with a 3rd if registrations allow.


U15–U16:

  • Girls: 1 combined U15/U16 team.
  • Boys: 2 U15 teams; 1 U16 team, with a 2nd possible based on registrations.

U17–U18:
We aim to provide continued opportunities for players in Years 10–12, balancing school commitments and community football. Thanks to SMJFL for supporting age exemptions for players above the limit but still in school.

  • Girls: 1 combined U17/U18 team.
  • Boys: 1 combined U17/U18 team.

 

AFLW Draftee, Sophie McKay
 
From Two Blues to the Navy Blue.
Congratulations to PJFC’s Sophie McKay, selected at pick #17 in the AFLW draft! Sophie continues the family legacy as a Carlton father-daughter pick, following in the footsteps of her sister Abbie and dad Andrew.

Pictured: Sophie, Andrew, and Abbie proudly wearing PJFC kit back in 2016. (Herald-Sun, 5/12/2024)
 

 

PFC Senior Women's Footy Team - Now Recruiting!
 
The Senior Division of our club is relaunching their Women's team this year and are now recruiting players - women of all skill and experience levels are invited to train, play, learn and grow in a supportive and fun environment.
 
Please spread the word amongst any former Prahran junior girls who you think maybe interested in donning the mighty Two Blues jumper again. Training and playing will be at our brand new state of the art facilities at Toorak Park.
 
Pre-season training commences Monday 3 February at 6.40pm at Como Park North (Council to confirm).
 
For more information, contact :
Coach : Don Angus - daaction@gmail.com - 0418 469269
Team Co-ordinator - Alexandra Amvazas - alexandras.amvazas@gmail.com - 0451 189622
 
New Clubrooms, New Coaches, New Senior Women's Team!

 

Return to Toorak Park
 
The Club is excited to soon return to the redeveloped Toorak Park and its fantastic new community facilities.

We’ve been fortunate to call Como Park home during construction but are ready to settle into our upgraded spaces and say goodbye to the temporary facilities. Thank you to everyone for your patience and support during this time.

The impressive new two-story pavilion includes a modern kitchen and kiosk, meeting and function rooms, and female-friendly change rooms. The upgraded oval and lighting will enhance training and match days for all at PJFC.

Join us for our first training session back at Toorak Park on April 25—we can’t wait to welcome you to our new home!

 

 
Key Season Dates
 
Key Dates for Preseason and the 2025 Season
  • Feb 2: Final Summer Skills sessions
  • Feb 11–27: Optional preseason sessions (all ages) every Tuesday and Thursday (time and location TBC).
  • March 2: Grading training for U12 and above (2nd date, venue, and time TBC).
  • March 16 & 23: Grading games for U12 and above (venue and time TBC; details will be shared with relevant families).
  • March 25: Team and coach announcements. Ungraded teams announced earlier pending registrations.
  • April 4–22: School holidays (Easter: April 19–21).
  • April 25: Friday training begins at Toorak Park (Also ANZAC Day).
  • April 27: Round 1 kicks off—Season begins!
Again, we’re thrilled about the season ahead and look forward to seeing you at the footy —whether it’s for the first time or once again.

Further below, you’ll find more details and FAQs about registrations for those interested.
If you’d like to get more involved with the Club, don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks, including announcements of our amazing sponsors who are proudly supporting PJFC in 2025.
 
Go the Two Blues!
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