Sport
1 July, 2024
Maryborough FNC makes application for a move to the MCDFNL for the 2025 season
The Maryborough Football Netball Club have officially submitted a bid to join the Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League (MCDFNL) from 2025 onwards as they look to shore up their on-field and on-court future. A release was posted in...
The Maryborough Football Netball Club have officially submitted a bid to join the Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League (MCDFNL) from 2025 onwards as they look to shore up their on-field and on-court future.
A release was posted in Maryborough’s supporters group on social media on Sunday evening, informing members of the continued plans for the club going forward, as well as a call to arms for more volunteers in 2025 and beyond.
“Dear Players, Members and Supporters,” the release reads.
“As previously communicated, the committee has resolved to investigate moving to another league via a standalone or merge option.
“Part of our investigation has been to explore the process and opportunity to enter the MCDFNL. We have recently submitted an application to the MCDFNL to commence this process.
“Once we have established the options available to the club in 2025, we will be holding a General Meeting of the club to vote on the next crucial move in the clubs history. Members will be notified in advance of this meeting.
“The success of any club is solely dependant on the volunteers who make it run. If you have capacity to assist the club in 2025, now is the time to step forward and register your interest. It doesn’t matter how small the contribution, it all counts. From selling raffle tickets, to helping in the canteen, to team managers to committee members. It takes a small army to run a sporting club and we need more troops. So please register your interest with either Scott Quinlan, Marc Cassidy, Melissa Adams, Daryl Groves or Shannyn Stevens.”
A successful transition to the MCDFNL would mean the Magpies would play in the competition for the first time in 79 years, having returned from World War II to play in the competition in 1945 and 1946, having won the flag in the latter year.
The intention to move will signal an end to the Magpies’ 32-year stint in the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), which has yielded football premierships in 1998 and 1999.
News of the Magpies’ short-term intentions comes amidst a fairly positive weekend for the club on the field and on the court.
The footballers had their most competitive effort since round two, losing by 78 points to Kangaroo Flat after trailing by 21 points at the main break, while the club’s A reserve netballers extended their gap inside the top three to a game and a half thanks to a brilliant two-goal victory over the Kangaroos.
A decision on whether talks would progress by the MCDFNL would be made during the week, according to Maryborough president Quinlan.
“It was a vote at board level to acquire as many different options for the members as we possibly can, and then put it to a vote, and ultimately, the members make a decision,” he said.
“From a process point of view, we put it to the previous board meeting, and put it to a vote, if we were to stand alone versus merge, which would be the preferred league, and unanimously, the MCDFNL was the league chosen.
“The MCDFNL responded via their president and secretary late on Thursday night that they have accepted our expression of interest, and they will review it. Assuming that there is enough support for it, their board executive will then meet with our board executive.”
While the Magpies required six Kangaroo Flat footballers to field a full complement of seniors on Saturday afternoon, Quinlan confirmed that there will be no problems in ensuring Maryborough completes the season, with AFL Victoria approving a special dispensation for clearances and permits to come through for the Magpies, despite the AFL Victoria clearance window closing on Sunday evening.
“I had a president’s meeting with the Bendigo Football Netball League on Thursday night, where I’d already formally written to the BFNL about Maryborough not taking part in the BFNL in 2025, and they kept that under wraps. They didn’t send that to anyone at all,” he said.
“I shared those views with the presidents of the eight other clubs on Thursday night, and they were all in support of everything.
“AFL Victoria and the BFNL have supported a permit and clearance rule for Maryborough only. It took a bit of work, but it would get us through to the end of the year comfortably for the men’s senior footy, and with the under 18s, but this year, there needs to be some coaches appointed for 2025, an executive and board needs to be made in the next two to three weeks, to lead into next year, as it will be a different season in a different league.
“That board will concentrate on the transition to a new league, and Daryl (Groves) and I will push through with the BFNL and make sure we make ends meet and adhere to what we need to.”
The Magpies will also get a bit of help when they return to the field in two weeks time against Gisborne, with star ruckman Tom Myers one who is expected to make his return, while Quinlan confirmed Gisborne will also support the club.
“There is some cavalry coming back — Tom Myers is due back and we may get Kaian Constable in for a game, and Gisborne will also support and give us some players. That’s important, especially at a home game, to still get the gate takings and all those sorts of things,” he said.
The Magpies will have a week off this week as part of the BFNL’s league-wide bye as they play a representative game against the Victorian Amateur Football Association, but return on July 13 to take on the Bulldogs on their home deck at Barkers Oval Princes Park.