Sport
11 April, 2024
Big change for football in Central Victoria
The AFL Central Victoria commission, which is responsible for the overall operation of the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), will be disbanded in favour of a council model. All members of the AFL Central Victoria commission will resign at the...
The AFL Central Victoria commission, which is responsible for the overall operation of the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), will be disbanded in favour of a council model.
All members of the AFL Central Victoria commission will resign at the close of this month’s meeting, with AFL Victoria management acting as company directors until the council is established, with members to be appointed by AFL Victoria.
The decision comes as a result of a failed attempt by the commission over the 2023 off-season to reform football and netball in Bendigo with a new divisional system, in particular, a new league which included a combination of clubs from across the region, which included Maryborough, then-fellow BFNL clubs Castlemaine and Kyneton, as well as Loddon Valley Football Netball League clubs Maiden Gully YCW and Marong.
Further chaos ensued when Kyneton sensationally quit the BFNL to move to the Riddell District Football Netball League in August, while Maiden Gully made an attempt to transfer its under 18s into the BFNL competition with backing from the league as they seek to work the Eagles into the competition in the long term, only to be rejected by the commission twice.
The decision means that a council model will now be adopted, which follows the path of other regions, including the Goldfields region, which is responsible for the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL).
The decision brings to an end the commission, which was established in 2012, but had seen relations, particularly between itself and the BFNL, become strained in the wake of the decision to reject Maiden Gully’s application to join the BFNL under 18 competition twice.
A memo was released to leagues and clubs last week by AFL Victoria community football manager, with those informed told there would be reset.
“After several months of consideration, the AFL Central Victoria Commission has resolved to reset the region’s governance model in conjunction with its member leagues and AFL Victoria,” the memo read.
“Whilst AFL Central Victoria has achieved many outcomes over the past decade, including the establishment of a Region Administration Centre, which manages all region league operations and expanding its footprint to incorporate the former Central Murray Region, the commission believe that the time is right to reset the direction and strategies, aligning with five other country regions in establishing an independent region council.
“Currently, a commission’s scope of responsibilities includes football and fiduciary obligations associated with a company limited by guarantee, (which are governed under the Corporations Act 2001), whilst a council will align itself with making local football decisions which are for the betterment of the region; allowing the fiduciary responsibilities to be transferred to AFL Victoria.
“A council will adopt a bottom-up philosophy, with clubs and leagues having influence on regional strategies implemented by the council who will set Community Club Sustainability Program Caps, resolve transfer disputes and other matters under AFL Victoria Country Rules.
“The Region Manager will continue to act as the conduit between the council and community competitions.
“In February, new councillors were inducted into their council roles by AFL Victoria across five regions and it is with a sense of excitement and optimism amongst local leagues that the AFLCV reset will provide benefits to local football communities with an emphasis on engagement and collaboration.
“In recent months, AFL Victoria has worked in association with five regions to make the successful transition of governance models and will again assist AFL Central Victoria in procuring, appointing and inducting councillors with an expression of interest process to commence shortly.”