EFNL 2025: Nunawading women’s, netball, under-19s to survive club as it vows to rebuild

A local footy club in Melbourne’s east has broken its silence on a tumultuous off-season spelling the end of its near-century-old senior men’s program – but the club will survive.

EFNL: Nunawading has provided an update on its future. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Local footy battler Nunawading has vowed to rebuild its near-century-old senior men’s program, while declaring itself “open for business” this season.

The longstanding Eastern league club will not field senior or reserve men’s teams this year, with the league last week emailing Division 4 clubs with two fixture alternatives.

“(We) can now advise that at this stage, Nunawading Football Club will not field a senior or reserves side for season 2025,” the league email read.

The club, which was formed in 1927, suffered an exodus of senior players before Christmas, with its coach also departing.

But its senior women’s football, netball and male under-19 programs will continue this season.

On Tuesday morning, Nunawading broke its silence.

“Contrary to recent media reports, the Nunawading Football Netball Club will be open for business in 2025,” president Adrian Salanitri said in a statement.

“We are extremely proud of our female and youth programs, and we intend to put a huge amount of effort and energy into supporting our women’s football team, boys’ under-19 team and netball teams in 2025.”

The club’s under-19 program has merged with Forest Hill’s – and will operate as the Nunawading Zebras.

Salanitri said remaining senior men’s players had also moved to the neighbouring Division 4 club.

“Unfortunately for a number of reasons we will not be fielding senior men’s and reserves teams under our name in season 2025,” he said.

“While it is extremely disappointing, we have been able to work out an arrangement where some of our senior men’s players will join our neighbour, Forest Hill for season 2025.

“Our under-19 boys will form part of the Forest Hill fixture in 2025 but will still carry our name and wear our jumpers.”

Salanitri said his club was steadfast in its commitment to returning the senior men’s and reserves to the field in 2026.

The club, nicknamed the Lions, is set to mark its centenary in 2027.

“The current committee and volunteers are united in our approach, and we see 2025 as a chance to reset, rebuild and launch into season 2026 with a full quota of teams.”

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Eastern league chief executive officer Jy Bond said: “We understand this has been a difficult decision for Nunawading, and we commend the club for prioritising its long-term stability.

“The EFNL will continue working closely with the club with the goal of re-establishing senior men’s football in 2026 whilst supporting the club’s women’s, under-19 football and netball programs in 2025.’’

The Division 4 ladder will revert to a match ratio system, with the reworked fixture replacing Nunawading with a bye.