Dear Doncaster Junior Football Club Families,

I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome you all to what promises to be another exciting and memorable season at DJFC! With Round 1 kicking off this Sunday, there’s a real buzz in the air – and it’s a feeling we’ve been working hard towards all summer.

This year marks a truly unique chapter in the proud 50-year history of our Club. For the first time, many of our players will be donning the DJFC jumper as part of merged teams. While this change has brought its share of challenges, what has shone through is the incredible loyalty, dedication and resilience of our players and families.

To every player who stuck with us through a tough pre-season – we see you, we thank you, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you represent Doncaster. You’ve shown what it means to be part of something bigger – to stand tall for your Club, your teammates and your community. That spirit is exactly what makes DJFC such a special place.

Behind the scenes, our Committee has worked tirelessly through the off-season to make sure that not just Round 1, but the entire season, could come to life. Their creativity, problem-solving and passion have been nothing short of inspiring. I couldn’t be more proud to lead such a dedicated team – they’ve made my role as President both a privilege and a joy, and I’m more motivated than ever to keep growing with this great Club.

Looking ahead, it’s not just great footy that we’ve got in store – we’re also planning some fantastic events and opportunities for all our DJFC families to come together and celebrate what makes this Club so strong.

We’ve also successfully run an engaging Summer Football program in partnership with Vida, built valuable connections with our local community, and secured some amazing sponsorships that help fuel the heartbeat of DJFC. Community sport is nothing without the people behind it, and we’re lucky to have some of the very best around.

Amongst the challenges of having a shortage of players across some of our age groups, there are a number of people who I’d like to especially acknowledge – those who have gone above and beyond to ensure that every dedicated player has been able to continue their football journey.

Whether it was through coaching, volunteering, helping to coordinate merged team arrangements, or simply encouraging others to stay involved, your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You’ve helped make it possible for DJFC kids to stay on the field, doing what they love – and for that, we’re truly grateful.

Shane Myers – President of the Camberwell Football Junior Football Club who was able to quickly establish and welcome our Under 13s and Under 14s to create a merged team in each age group – complete with a jumper reflecting the merger of the two Clubs.

John Skaltsas – President of the Beverly Hills Junior Football Club who welcomed us in the very last week of pre-season to enable our Under 10s and Under 11s to be part of a football home and be willing to make the merger of the two teams one that was successful and inviting for both players and parents

Lucy Haliburton – President of the Templestowe Football Club – who also encountered player shortage issues at her own Club yet was always there to assist and help other Clubs experiencing the same issues. We managed to spruce up the numbers further for the Under 10s and Under 11s for Beverly Hills and Doncaster with Templestowe’s help which now makes the merger between the three clubs in this age group solid and stable.

For our Club, the coaches – Steve Yianni, Chris Grimbos and Grant Hanson. You’ve run a fun and inspirational pre-season of training for our dedicated lot of players on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. As the season gets underway, you have been able to keep our players and families together and I’m sure your dedication was the best springboard to kick off their seasons.

Vito and Fia Monitto, Michelle Taylor and Leandra Martin – a team managers work is never done – I’m sure it will become second nature to you as the Season progresses.

A special acknowledgement goes to our stand-alone team in the Under 9s – going from strength to strength in managing to keep the team togther for another season with some inspirational additions.

And of course, the parents and guardians of our players who accepted the challenges and extra commitments for our merged teams. I’m so grateful to you all in keeping the spirit of the Doncaster Football Club alive and strong in 2025.

So as the boots hit the ground and the whistles blow, let’s remember what this season stands for: resilience, pride, community and the love of the game.

Enjoy it and celebrate together

REMEMBER OUR FIRST SUNDAYS AT SCHRAMMS FAMILY DINNER EVENTS IS AT THE SCHRAMMS CLUB ROOMS FROM 5:30 PM THIS SUNDAY 6TH OF APRIL. GRAB A CHEAP MEAL AND ENJOY A FUN NIGHT AMONGST OUR DONCASTER FAMILIES.

GO DONNY CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards
Roland “Rolly” Frasca
President
Doncaster Junior Football Club