GFNL: North Shore set to play social netball refusing to field A-grade team

The head of North Shore’s netball program says local sport is “no longer community based” after withdrawing teams following AFL Barwon’s demand they field an A-grade side. TAKE OUR POLL

AFL Barwon has been slammed as “a disgrace” after an entire netball club left the competition just days out from the opening round.

North Shore has lashed AFL Barwon after the club was told none of its sides could play in the Geelong Football and Netball League after the Seagulls refused to enter an A-grade side.

But AFL Barwon is refuting claims it booted North Shore out of the netball competition, saying the club opted to withdraw its teams.

North Shore president Dale Purcell

Last season, North Shore only fielded an E Grade team, but the club had been on a recruiting drive this summer in hope of putting D and E Grade sides on the court in 2022.

North Shore president Dale Purcell said his club was not prepared to enter a side in A-grade, with fears the lopsided competition would drive players out of the sport.

“Edwina Wilkens (Seagulls netball co-ordinator) has been around the sport for a long time, and knew the girls wouldn’t be ready for the level of competition,” Purcell said.

“A lot of these girls either have never played or are pretty new to netball, so it’s not going to be much good playing them in levels well above their standards.”

Wilkens said it was “a disgrace” the club was left with no choice but to pull their program from the GFNL.

“There was no help or anything from AFL Barwon (league organisers), so that was really disappointing,” she said.

“We had hoped there would be a lot more support from AFL Barwon to let the girls get on the court.

“But it’s not a community-based sport anymore.”

Bruce Harwood

The club has now turned to focusing on player retention for this season as its sides prepare to play in midweek netball competitions, usually reserved for social teams.

Wilkens said the club was prepared to re-enter the GFNL in the future, but focusing on retention and recruitment was at the front of her mind.

“It’s a massive concern for player retention and recruitment going forward,” she said.

“We’re working on a five-year plan and we’re working with our junior program to start to pave the way and build the program up again and help with the retention side of things that way.

“We’re trying to show we’re still in it for the long haul, so we can still recruit new players to the club in future years.

“But we’ve already had three of our top players go to different clubs in the 3214 postcode just so they can continue to play Saturday netball.

AFL Barwon region manager Bruce Harwood said it was not an ideal scenario for the club or the competition.

“When asked what grades they would have to field at the beginning of the discussion, we (AFL Barwon) indicated … they (North Shore) would need to field top down,” he said.

“This option of playing together in midweek competitions allow players to remain together and develop, as well as retain the playing group beyond 2022.

“It is not an ideal scenario facing the club or AFL Barwon but the support remains for the club and the potential rebuild of the netball section.”

Originally published as GFNL: North Shore set to play social netball refusing to field A-grade team