AFL Yarra Ranges enters merger talks with South East Football Netball League for 2019
AFL Yarra Ranges have held talks with AFL South East about a potential merger for 2019, throwing a lifeline to South East Football Netball League clubs in limbo.
Local Footy
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THE South East and Yarra Ranges football and netball competitions could merge in 2019, paving the way for the SEFNL to compete in a multiple division league.
Officials will meet clubs individually to assess their support for an amalgamation.
AFL Victoria has been informed of the move and is open to it, according to AFL South East general manager John Anderson.
The possibility of the South East and Yarra Ranges getting together follows a decision by the AFL South East to abandon plans to include South East clubs in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league divisional structure.
It had intended to add the eight SEFNL clubs to the 22-club MPNFL model next year, forming a third-tier, promotion-relegation system.
But at a special general meeting of MPNFL clubs they passed a motion that would require 75 per cent of clubs to vote in favour of any proposed changes to the MPNFL competition structure.
The AFL South East Commission discussed the status of the senior competition review on February 26 and decided to scrap plans for SEFNL clubs to join the MPNFL next year.
Anderson said it wasn’t ideal but the decision would not stop the overall objective of growing football in the region.
“The commission’s preference remains for a senior regional competition which promotes even competition, an opportunity for new clubs to have an entry point and to grow the game in the region, something that has been lacking in the past,” Anderson said.
“We will now work closely with the MPNFL clubs on the creation of a third division, within the geographic constraints of the Peninsula.
“Until such time whereby three divisions are possible, the MPNFL will comprise two divisions with promotion and relegation between both.”
AFL Yarra Ranges general manager Aaron Bailey met with Yarra Ranges and South East clubs this week but it remains unknown how many South East clubs would join the Yarra Ranges competition.
“We are working with AFL South East to provide SEFNL clubs a viable long-term option where we think the similarities in both football and netball will provide a strong, viable competition,” Bailey said.
“SEFNL clubs need to decide what is best for their club and their community and we’re working with AFL South East in providing them one of multiple options competition-wise they can put to their members.
“It is about giving them choice (and) the competition structure, management and all the operational aspects would be decided once the clubs settle on where they want to play their footy in 2019.”
Anderson said talks were in their formative stages but would progress.
“The initial reaction from the SEFNL clubs has been positive,’’ Anderson said.
Bailey said the move was about securing the long-term future of Yarra Ranges and South East clubs.
“There’s a great correlation in terms of netball and football and we think there is great potential for the sustainability of clubs,” he said.
“At the end of the day, that’s what this is about, providing clubs with sustainability for both the SEFNL and Yarra Ranges clubs and we believe this has that potential.”
Coincidentally, the two competitions face each other in the AFL Victoria Community Championships this year.
“We don’t know what the outcome will be, there may be one club come, no clubs, we’re not sure,” Bailey said.
“Once we know what it looks like, we’ll work with our clubs to really make sure the competition and the structure of the competition works really well for everyone.
“It’s really exciting footy is working as a ‘best for footy’ approach from both commissions and let’s put the borders away and let’s work together to find what’s best for all the clubs in the South East and outer eastern region.”
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