Earlier this year Tinonee Eagles Soccer Club received a four star rating in the FFA National Club Development Program.
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Five star is the top billing. So four stars wasn't really good enough, according to club secretary Kascie King.
The rating system is an on-line Q and A test that accesses all aspect of a club's operation, from facilities to communicating with members.
"When I saw the print out of our score and saw that we received a four star rating I was determined that we could improve,'' Kascie said.
"Northern NSW send us a list of areas where we could improve.''
So despite COVID-19 restrictions, the committee pitched in and made sure the improvements were acted upon.
Tinonee established Team App as a way for the committee and coaches to communicate in a safe and practical manner with members of their club. This drew praise from NSWF club development officer, Phillip Andrews.
"Communication through Team App or similar is transparent and easily the best way for coaches to protect themselves when communicating with players or parents of younger players," he said in a statement.
Some areas in need of improvement, Kascie admits, look insignificant, like improving storage or making upgrades to the dressing room facilities. "But they all add up," Kascie added.
"The committee as a whole got in and worked really hard. We were all determined to get the five star rating.''
All the toil came to fruition last week when the club was informed by Northern NSW that it had been success. Tinonee is now the highest rating club in the Football Mid North Coast area.
"We're ecstatic,'' Kascie said.
"It was a proud day to be an Eagle.''
Kascie said the club is committed to being a good community member.
"Our members aren't just a number. Every member is important,'' she stressed.
The football season started last weekend. While some clubs suffered a downturn in registrations and teams due to the pandemic, Tinonee has grown its player numbers.
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"We have 13 teams this year from juniors through to seniors,''Kascie said.
Kascie has been secretary since 2018. Her husband, Jessie, is the longest serving player, notching 25 years this season. He's also the vice president, while their children are in the junior ranks.
Jessie has poured hours into rehabilitating the club's home ground, Bob Collier Oval, after it was damaged in last November's devastating bushfires. The ground was already under stress from the drought.
However, it was in peak condition for last Saturday's season opener. Tinonee's open men's side responded accordingly, defeating Wingham 5-1 in the Southern League encounter.
"We may be a relatively small club, but we're a mighty club,'' Kascie insisted.
"And we'll continue to work to be the best club.''
It was also a great start to what will be Tinonee's 40th year, with a celebration to be held later this year to mark the anniversary.
