Battle on to save Mountain Lions from extinction

Two years after winning a senior flag, suburban footy club Mt Waverley is on the verge of closing as players, coaches and officials desert the Mountain Lions.

Mt Waverley and Hampton players contest the ball in a 2017 match.

The fight is on to save the Southern Football Netball League’s Mountain Lions.

Division 2 club Mt Waverley is making a “call to arms’’ as it tries to avoid falling into recess.

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Ahead of last Wednesday night’s AGM the club said that unless people volunteered for committee positions, Mt Waverley would have to close the doors.

“We will be blunt, there has been a player and coach exodus, (the) majority of committee members are stepping down, if a new committee is not formed, the club will go into recess for 2019,’’ it said.

“There is a strong possibility the players and coaches can return if a new committee is formed. This new committee will need to get commercial support and a strong network involved.’’

A new president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer were needed.

Mt Waverley won the 2016 Division 3 premiership.

New SFNL chief executive officer Lee Hartman said he understood there was a small turnout at the AGM.

But he said a group led by former long-serving president Jay Cavanagh was trying to drum up support and interest.

“They haven’t made a decision yet,’’ Hartman said.

“They’re going to start working the phones and come in and meet me next Wednesday afternoon with an update and we can go from there.

“They’re going to try to speak life members and others. We need to work with them. If that means dropping down a division or whatever so they can keep a side or two, we’ll do what we can.’’

SFNL chief executive officer Lee Hartman. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Hartman said the Mountain Lions were an important part of the Southern’s four-division structure “and we need them to continue’’.

“Jay is trying to do the right thing by the club and rally the troops and we’re here to support him and the club wherever possible.’’

He said there had been “murmurings’’ about the Mountain Lions for a few weeks after the appointment of a new coach fell through.

After a string of grand final losses Mt Waverley won the Division 3 premiership in 2016, earning promotion.

This year they finished eighth in the 10-team Division 2, recording five wins and 13 losses.

The Mountain Lions started as Mt Waverley Catholic Football Club in 1974 in the YCWNFA competition, later transferring to Eastern Suburb Churches.

Mt Waverley became part of the Southern league in 1993 when the churches and South East Suburban competitions amalgamated.

Cavanagh has been contacted for comment.

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