AFL Victoria has clarified its position about the structure of leagues and clubs, telling the Review its ‘ability to influence is determined by league constitutions and what they allow’.
The information follows Broadford Football Netball Club‘s announcement earlier this month that its football department would go into recess in 2024, following rejection of its application to join the Kyabram District Football Netball League, KDFNL.
AFL Victoria advised BFNC an appeal was unavailable due to the transfer being from a metropolitan-based league, Outer East Football Netball League, to a country-based league, KDFNL.
An AFL Victoria spokesperson said AFL Victoria became involved where objection of a club occurred with AFL general management regularly contacting BFNC and KDFNL.
“Given AFL Victoria has a responsibility to hear objections, we cannot lobby for an outcome prior, but we can advise parties as to the process and strategies to use,” they said.
“Transfers from country league to country league are managed by the country rules and governed by the relevant region.
“The processes are consistent from metro to country, except any appeal or objection is managed by the region.
“In metro to metro or metro to country, AFL Victoria would hear the objection/appeal where permitted under the regulations.”
The AFL Victoria spokesperson said its ability to influence was determined by league constitutions and what was allowed when it came to the entry of new clubs.
“Local governing bodies are entitled to manage their organisations and operate within a framework of rules which we provide,” they said.
“That framework doesn’t prevent AFL Victoria, a country region or a metro association to force a league to accept a club outside their constitutional processes.
“We are always looking to improve the processes of community football but that requires all leagues, regions and clubs to be aligned.
“In 2023 there were 85 leagues across Victoria, which shows the scale and breadth of Victorian community football.”
The recession of BFNC has again brought attention to recession of clubs, particularly country clubs with the Yea Tigers football department having gone into recession last OEFNL season.
The AFL Victoria spokesperson said their role was guidance and support while ensuring independence of leagues.
“Our role, in conjunction with the relevant league, is to ensure clubs are maximising their potential and to provide guidance and support where possible, while respecting the independence maintained by leagues across the state, which is for the most part what leagues want,” they said.
“Clubs go into recess for various reasons and often these reasons are complex.
“Some clubs and regions are facing challenges beyond football while many areas and clubs are thriving, which record participation numbers support. Pleasingly, there are great stories emerging of clubs coming out of recess, with Corowa Rutherglen and Mentone Panthers two such examples for 2024.
“In 2023 across Victoria, there were more than 1040 community football clubs so there is always likely to be examples of a small number of clubs facing challenges. AFL Victoria is there to support those clubs.
“Tens of thousands of volunteers are the lifeblood of community football and much of the support provided by AFL Victoria is aimed at easing the burden on clubs and the volunteers who run them.”
The AFL Victoria spokesperson said AFL Victoria had been in regular contact with BFNC throughout the past 12 months including the head of AFL Victoria attending the club.
Following BFNC’s announcement its football would go into recession, president Bonnie Welch said AFL Victoria should consider a structural review.
“There is a clear need for an overall AFL Victoria structure review to ensure that viable clubs aren’t forced into an untenable situation,” she said.
“We are not the first club and certainly won’t be the last to be put in this position.”
The spokesperson said AFL Victoria had many programs and support available for community clubs including 24 country Victoria clubs receiving 2023 WorkSafe Club Safety Fund grants and the TAC Club Rewards Program giving clubs the opportunity to earn a share of $500,000 annually.
