Men’s Masters Team
What Is Masters AFL?
Masters AFL is an over-35s competition, played in the spirit of winning, but with the understanding that no one should get hurt – other than the occasional strained hammy.
Games are played fortnightly to allow recovery time between matches, meaning around half as many games as the Open-Age grades.
Training
Training is encouraged but optional. Players are encouraged to try to attend at least one session per week, preferably on Thursdays.
Anyone concerned about their ability to attend training should contact the coaches and explain their situation. The coaches understand that work, family and other commitments can get in the way of footy and are happy to accommodate where possible.
Players keen for an extra run are welcome to join training sessions with the club’s other teams as often as they like.
Home Ground
Home games are generally played on the lower ground at Greenway Park — Mike Kenny Oval (MKO2).
Masters Coach
The Masters team is coached by Simon Doak – a great player, a great person and someone who believes in the principles of Masters footy.
Interested in Getting Involved?
Anyone interested in playing or helping out should contact Simon and let him know which of the following suits:
- Keen to play and potentially available for all games.
- Interested in playing a few games during the season.
- Happy to fill in when the team is short on players.
- Unable to play but keen to help out in another way — team manager, beer chiller or another off-field role.
Coach: Simon Doak
Mobile: 0402 058 206
Email: simon.doak@gmail.com
Vision
To be recognised by the greater AFL Community as the benchmark Club in the Sydney AFL competition for Masters AFL.
Mission
– Players, Coaches, Staff, Volunteers, Parents commit themselves fully to the pursuit of excellence, through dedication to training, competition and lifestyle.
– The Club will operate a program that allows for any level of player experience to be catered for and improved, with the same attention to detail for all players from Coaching and support staff.
Aim
Develop players to be capable of playing Men’s Masters Football in the Sydney AFL Competition.
Maintain a safe and supportive physical and psychological environment for players and supporters.
Achieve on field success for the current season.
Club Physiotherapy
At the Pennant Hills Demons, we are fortunate to boast one of the best physiotherapy and medical teams in Sydney AFL, through Lauren Wright (Head Physiotherapist) and her dedicated team at Core Active Health.
If you receive an injury during training or on game day, you must advice your team physiotherapist or your coach if they are not available.
Core Active Health runs an injury clinic for our players on Monday evenings from 6:30pm, which players are expected to attend if you have an injury that may prevent you from training or playing at 100%.
If you receive and injury on game day or training you must advise your team physio or if they are not available your coach.
Core Active Health also offers a sports and remedial massage service if required, at a discount to Club players and members.
If you are attending the Monday injury clinic, or would like to arrange a general appointment, contact Core Active Health directly:
- Call: 02 9873 277
- Email: info@carlingfordactivehealth.com.au
- Visit their website: https://coreactivehealth.com.au/
- Clinic location: 733 Pennant Hills Rd, Carlingford NSW 2118
Medical Insurance
All players must pay for compulsory medical insurance, provided by JLT, as part of their registration fees.
We strongly recommend that all players are also covered by their own private health insurance, to assist in covering any gap payments between Medicare and the JLT Insurance service. It is also recommended that you have your own ambulance cover if you opt into private health insurance, as this is often left out of standard health insurance packages.
Player Well-Being and Workload Management
At the Pennant Hills Demons, we are fortunate to have access to some match day videos for players and coaches to use for individual and team based performance analysis and management. A user guide will be provided to you in pre-season, with your login and password to access the Athlete Tracker system where the videos are stored.
Team Selection Process
The team selection process takes into consideration the following:
- The players ability to physically and mentally handle the level being considered
- Commitment to training, self improvement and attitude toward the Club program
- Football talent and ability
- A players understanding of the game and team structures
- Adaptability and versatility for the positions available and ability to follow the game plan
- Availability and special requests from Representative Football Groups
Team selections are announced on Thursday evenings following training sessions.
Club Expectations of Players
Represent yourself and your Club with pride, and protect the Pennant Hills Demons brand.
Prepare and nurture yourself for peak performance, including diet, lifestyle, recovery, training attitude and match day commitment.
Players are expected to maintain clear, respectful and timely communication throughout the season. Players must notify their coach directly as soon as they know they cannot attend training or a match, or if their availability changes, so plans can be adjusted and replacements arranged where needed.
Pennant Hills is committed to developing and supporting every player, and we welcome players and player families to be part of our Club community. Whether it’s attending functions and events or lending a hand as a volunteer, there are plenty of ways to get involved. We understand everyone has different commitments, and any time or support you can offer is valued and appreciated.
What To Expect From Coaches
Coaches are available during pre-season and in-season for support, advice and development both on and off the field.
Coaching staff will work with you to identify your strength and weaknesses, and work on nurturing your development.
Coaching staff will ensure a fair and well balance approach to team selections and game time, to ensure team and Club success.
Coaching staff will not tolerate abuse, bullying or vilification of any person, whether in our teams, the broader Club, the opposition or the umpires.
Training
Pre-Season (Christmas) training commences in mid to late November at Mike Kenny Oval. No boots are permitted during pre-season training per the Council. Dates of commencement are posted via the Club’s social media, website and Athlete Tracker. Pre-Season training commences in mid to late January following the Christmas break.
Training is held on a Tuesday and Thursday evening during the regular season, commencing at 6:30pm, at Mike Kenny Oval (MKO1) Greenway Park, Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook.
Training is always on, regardless of the weather, unless the Council advises of ground closures. In this instance, your coach will advise you of an alternate arrangement, typically a strategy session.
It is advisable to bring joggers, boots, mouthguard, a towel and change of clothing to all training sessions. No boots are permitted during pre-season training per the Council.
Gym programs are available for you to undertake at your own gym, in your own time.
Season Fixtures
Fixtures will be linked from the Club website to the Sydney Football League and Sydney AFL websites, where all matches will be listed and updated during the season.
Fixtures will also be listed on the Club calendar as soon as they are released by the Sydney Football League and Sydney AFL.
Men’s Masters Registration and Fees
Men’s Masters Registration Fees for 2027 are:
If you were registered with another Club previously, including a Junior Club or Auskick School Event, then you will need to complete a Club transfer form here.
If you were not registered with another Club previously, or have never played AFL previously, you can complete the registration process via Play HQ.
For further information on Men’s Masters registration, please click here.
