Avondale Heights, Moonee Valley join forces to create new team in 2022

Essendon District clubs Avondale Heights and Moonee Valley will join forces in 2022 to create a new team both clubs hope will improve player retention.

Moonee Valley and Avondale Heights combine to form one team.

Essendon District clubs Avondale Heights and Moonee Valley are joining forces in 2022.

The two clubs will form a combined under-18.5 team next season after neither fielded an underage team this season.

The move is hoped to improve player retention and strengthen both clubs’ pathway from juniors to senior football.

In a joint release the clubs said the joint team would have four major benefits.

It would guarantee a pathway for under-16s to remain at their current club, create an opportunity for players who didn’t play in 2021 to return, create an opportunity for players who moved to other clubs to return and attract new players in the local area.

“Like all clubs we understand the critical need of providing a complete pathway from juniors transitioning via under-18.5s through to reserves and senior football,” the statement said.

“In season 2021 neither club fielded an under-18.5 men’s team … that gap is one both clubs are not prepared to repeat and as such we are committed to providing a complete and sustainable pathway in 2022 and beyond.

“Our main priority is to put together a squad of boys committed to this joint team with both clubs in the process of contacting their respective players with the hope of coming together in a few weeks time.”

This season the EDFL had 23 teams play across three divisions in the under-18.5s.

The league hopes to boost numbers in the coming years to match senior football participation.