AFL Outer East’s newest club, Broadford, commits to finding ways to stay involved in the community despite COVID-19 halt

No matter what Monday’s state government announcement is regarding COVID-19 restrictions, the AFL Outer East’s newest club has vowed to stay active and support its community.

Broadford is champing at the bit to get its AFL Outer East career rolling. Picture: jh photography

This Monday’s state government announcement regarding COVID-19 restrictions will determine whether the all-clear flags are waved for a return to the field or sport is sent to the pine indefinitely.

No matter the outcome, however, Broadford Football Netball Club will be looking for ways to stay active and keep providing the vital role a sporting club provides to its local community.

Kangaroos president Bonnie Cavanagh said they had to plan for life with footy or without it.

“How are we going to have an impact on our community as a support network?” she said. “Maybe we need a network of presidents and look at things. It’s going to be a slowburn (recovery), we’ve got to get the economy going and we (Broadford) have to look at how we can support that.”

To that end, Cavanagh said the club would consider how it could remain active should sport be benched for the season and was adamant that, whether it was midweek social netball or veterans footy against Yea, Broadford would continue to play an important role in the town.

The Kangaroos, more than most, have cause to feel frustrated by sport’s shutdown after transferring from the Riddell league to the AFL Outer East in the off-season.

The prospect of a new challenge had the joint jumping.

“We did all the preparation, we had so much energy, so much excitement and we’d done so much consultation,” Cavanagh said. “It was like someone had used a defibrillator on the place.

“We had really good numbers at training, the netball group was flying and the footy was energised by the new challenge.”

MORE FOOTY NEWS

DANDY VFA GREAT JOINS DOVES

FANTASY FOOTY: UPWEY v WOORI

AFL OUTER EAST SURVEYS ITS PLAYERS

CLUB SAYS WE CAN’T PLAY WITHOUT CROWDS

PUSH FOR AFL TO FUND VFL SEASON

EFL’S BEST 20 OF THE PAST 20

Broadford’s netballers were flying in pre-season. Picture: jh photography

The Kangaroos’ transfer to the AFL Outer East was confirmed at the club’s AGM last October, when members voted 47-5 in favour of the move.

Despite being disappointed at the delay, Cavanagh said she was thrilled at how hard the club had worked to keep the momentum building.

“I am very proud of the way the Broadford Football Netball Club has engaged and stay connected with not only the club personnel and players, but the wider community,” she said. “Our social media managers have done a fantastic job in hosting online competitions, even linking in with other clubs across Outer East. A few clubs are quite active in the social media space too, which is great.”

Broadford is set to take flight in AFL Outer East. Picture: Aaron Cook

Cavanagh said, following this Monday’s announcement, any return to action must be careful and considered.

“I’m a big believer in there has to be a self-determination component,” she said. “You can’t just come in with a big stick, one size fits all.”

As such, she said she was a big fan of the ‘opt in’ approach where clubs can decide at what level they are comfortable to return.

“Decisions will not be made, or terms agreed to, at the detriment of the club,” she said. “I want my players, members and sponsors to be confident in the direction I and the committee take us and trust we will make the best decisions for us at the time, with their feedback of course informing our direction.”

The Broadford boss praised the consultation approach taken by AFL Outer East, particularly the surveying of clubs, players and presidents.

Should footy get the green light to return, Cavanagh said the biggest hurdle would be the social gathering numbers set by the state government.

If crowds are not permitted at matches, she felt it would be near-impossible to resume.

“Putting salary caps and player payments aside, we do rely on varying forms of support to fund other vital club activities, so working to ensure we can sustain a return in 2020,” she said. “You need the small little bits and pieces coming in from the bar and canteen to keep things going.”

Following Monday’s state government announcement, AFL Outer East management will start working on a framework to present to clubs prior to any decision about a return to footy and netball.

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

— Unprecedented AFL coverage.

— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.