Broadford Football Netball Club members will decide at a special general meeting on August 10 if the club should make a bid to join the Kyabram District Football Netball League, KDFNL, in season 2024.
The club has informed its current league, Outer East Football Netball League, that it intends to explore its options with which league best fits the club to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Broadford Football Netball Club president Bonnie Cavanagh said the club had moved to the Outer East league in 2019 following discussions of a northern corridor competition.
“Due to COVID and other factors out of our control, that competition has never come to fruition,” she said.
Outer East is conducting its own review of its competition structure.
“There is a strong possibility that the league will change to two divisions – which would require our club to travel further to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne,” Ms Cavanagh said.
“It is now the right time for our club to find our ‘forever home’.”
Prior to the Outer East league, Broadford played in the Riddell District Football Netball League after moving from Heathcote District Football Netball League in 2008.
Ms Cavangh said a club sub-committee had investigated several different options as to what would be the best fit for the club.
“There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration – while senior football and netball is our focus, our junior pathways, volunteer base, and long-term sustainability are key factors of consideration,” she said.
Ms Cavanagh said the club had begun talks with KDFNL, which includes clubs such as Avenel, Nagambie and Longwood, as well as the Shepparton area.
“While there isn’t a league that is the perfect fit for us geographically, our committee feels the KDFNL aligns best with our club values and is our best option in terms of competition structure,” she said.
“The support and buy-in of our players, coaches, life members, members, sponsors, and supporters is vital in this process.”
The club will host a meeting for its playing group on August 3.
All life members and paid financial members can vote whether to move to the KDNFL at the special general meeting on August 10.
“If members vote to change leagues, a formal application will be made the KDFNL,” Ms Cavanagh said.
“Delegates from the KDNFL’s 14 clubs and their league executive members will then vote to make a decision on accepting us into the league.”
