President's Welcome Sydney 2007

Peter Coffey

Welcome to the 25th Masters Australian Football Carnival (MAF) this is my third year as National President and I'm very proud to announce that the Sydney carnival promises to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable in our history. With 36 teams participating we are expecting our total numbers including families, coaches, managers and umpires to be around the 1400 mark, it doesn't seem that long ago we had 6 teams attend the 1983 carnival in Melbourne.

With the support of NSW Major Events the MAF Board was only too pleased to award the 2007 carnival to NSW MAF. We wish president Con Skordis and his organizing committee all the very best for a successful carnival. Our special thanks to the Fosters Group for again supporting our host with their fine products and to Riverview College for making their magnificent facilities available for the hosting of our 25th National Carnival.

Since the first carnival in 1983 it became obvious to all that Masters football was very popular and the growth of the sport would need responsible management, I wish to thank and congratulate all of the previous National Presidents, Board members and state Presidents for giving all of us a competition and national carnival that is envied by all other sports around Australia.

With the size and popularity of our carnivals all future locations need to be able to cater for our growing requirements both in playing and social facilities. It is a challenge this Board looks forward to meeting.

On behalf MAF we wish all participants, coaches, umpires, officials and their families a very enjoyable and injury free carnival. Please take advantage of the hospitality offered by our host and remember it's 'Football for Fun'.