Welcome to Sydney Rocks AFL Masters. AFL Masters is Australian Rules Football for mature footballers, 32 years of age and over. It caters for those who love the game and still have a want and desire to keep playing. Be it beginner or experienced player, all are welcome.

As with club football, the people you meet soon become the reason you turn up for the game. The level of skill, team work and competition are what keeps the game intriguing and you'll find yourself amongst peers talking, applauding, and joking about events and experiences.

Intraclub games occur fortnightly followed by a barbeque and presentation. The Interclub carnivals aligning with the new state divisions are generally monthly. This all culminates in an end of season celebration of the game we love with the Australian National 'Masters' Carnival.

So come along and enjoy. If you wish to enquire, ring any of the committee. Otherwise, look up the fixture to determine the next game, turn up, register your interest, grab a team guernsey, and be invigorated by the ensuing game of football.

AFL Masters is not as rigorous as club football, with the general theme being enjoyment. It provides players with the opportunity to be physically active and continue to play the game they love - never letting go of their youth and enjoyment of life.

Several rules are introduced to reduce injury such as one-on-one ruckwork, no knees or protective legs allowed in marking, no slinging tackles, and common sense and consideration is always expected around older players. You'll find these rules are intended really for your own protection.

Registration for 2010 is $100. This covers the cost of National and NSW affiliation fees, public liability insurance, and club costs such as ground hire, lighting, footballs, jumpers, etc. The Game Day fee of $10 per player provides for umpires, presentation prizes, a raffle ticket and the family barbeque. It is also recommended non-players become associate members for the sake of being covered by the club's public liability insurance whilst at the ground. This is $5 per annum.

As with any mature age physical activity, before starting talk with your doctor. A physical examination can spot potential problems or weaknesses that may affect your participation. Masters AFL is a lot safer and can be played at your own pace, however Private Health Insurance is a recommended precaution along with Income Protection.

Before participating, warm up with a few minutes of mild activity such as a jog of the oval followed by some stretching. Avoid dehydration and excess fatigue as both conditions can increase the risk of injury. And prevent after game soreness with a cool down similar to the warm up - follow our all Australian, Danny Ardu, through his regime.

Importantly, enjoy the game and welcome to Sydney Rocks AFL Masters.

From the first NSW AFL Masters Committee meeting for 2010;

• With the increasing number of clubs and travel involved, the NSW clubs have been divided into two zones. The Northern Zone will consist of Hunter, Central Coast, North West Sydney and Sydney Rocks. The Southern Zone will be made up of Central West (Bathurst), Macarthur, Illawarra, and Riverina. Each division will organise their own interclub draw, but, as always, players are welcome to play at other clubs as a visitor.
• The National Carnival is to be held in Canberra from October 11th to 18th, 2010. Team accommodation has been reserved at the Manuka Apartments and the Pinnacle Apartments.
• A NSW carnival is planned for August, hopefully at Blacktown Olympic Park.
• Hunter plan to stage a major carnival on 10th July as part of their bid to hold a future National Carnival and all clubs are invited to attend.

Sydney Rocks committee meetings have been held January 18th and February 15th to prepare and coordinate the much awaited 2010 football season. Items addressed included the new zones, current assets (bank, jumpers, footballs, bbq trailer, drinks), registration, website, sponsors and their advertising, survey results and the 2010 fixture.

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Thank you to all who participated in the Player Survey late last year. It was of great assistance in allowing the 2010 fixture to be tailored to your preference. The key results of the survey are given below;

• Over 50% wanted night games during the warmer months.
• Most like playing at Rosedale and Kelso and are happy with 10am start.
• Half preferred not to play on Mothers Day. Fathers Day is fine.
• 40% don't want to play when Swans played.
• All are happy with the intraclub format, but would like the interclub events to be more competitive/prized.
• 80% prefer to travel to away (interclub) games on Sunday. Only 30% would travel by bus.

The new Website is in place for 2010 with improvements occurring throughout the year to make it your source of all things happening in AFL Masters. Notably, will be game reviews with photos, and the same for the Archive section. Further suggestions, ideas, and any feedback are most welcome.

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Super Rules (as the game was originally named) was formulated in the country areas of Victoria, with the first match being played at Ballarat in September 1980. Within a few years, the concept had spread to others states and the first National Carnival was held July 1983 in Melbourne.

For Sydney, the first games were held in 1985, and the subsequent National Carnival of 1986 in Perth was the first in which all states and territories were represented. National Carnivals have been held every year since, with the ensuing years seeing different age groups added;

2001 saw all states and territories adopt the new name of 'Masters Australian Football' and, the following year, a team of 30 players represented MAF internationally in the first Irish tour. After many successful seasons, MAF officially affiliated with the AFL in 2008 and became 'AFL Masters'.

Available for purchase are football shorts and socks, polo shirts, and hats. Pictures and prices will be posted shortly.

Apart from our hard noggins, it is great to see the ladies on game day. Be it enjoying the social side with their support and banter, relaxing in the sun, or helping with proceedings, they certainly are appreciated. So please come along and share something that we are so fond of. You are a most welcome breath of fresh air.

After touring Darwin on scooters during the 2008 National Carnival, a few of our members loved the feeling of escape so much that they have since purchased motorcycles. They now seize any good weathered opportunity to ride their bikes and often turn up to games putting the fear of life into their opponents with perceived persona'... and that's just Judy!

The committee meets the third Monday of every month to discuss matters important to the annual development and coordination of the game. Queries, suggestions, and issues will be addressed in the best possible manner, and within means. For new players wishing to make enquiries of the game, please feel free to contact any of the committee. Hopefully, we can whet your appetite some more.

Sydney Rocks AFL Masters acknowledges the support of the following sponsors. In return for their community goodwill, we are proud to support and endorse their product and service.

In September/October each year, eligible players can be selected to represent NSW in their respective age divisions at the National Carnival. Playing in these carnivals is the pinnacle of our season, with successful players a chance to be honoured with All Australian selection.

National Carnivals are not only an enjoyable means to broaden playing experiences, they also offer a memorable holiday opportunity with many scheduled family events.

This year, the National Carnival is to be held in Canberra from October 11th to 18th, 2010. Team accommodation has been reserved at the Manuka Apartments and the Pinnacle Apartments. Family oriented events have not been organised, as yet.

If costing the event, registration and gear will be approximately $300. Petrol, for Sydneysiders, is around $30 one-way, but be wary of early and late start times. Accommodation should be considered, which will be around $150 p/night. Factor in meals, drinks, and off day activities too.