Gippsland Football-Netball League second division proposal for 2025
The North Gippsland league has responded to plans to start up a new competition in the region. See what the president has had to say.
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North Gippsland is confident none of its 11 teams will jump ship and be part of a new competition run by the region’s major league.
North Gippsland clubs met on Wednesday night to discuss proposals by Newborough, Yinnar and Morwell East to enter the league next year.
The three clubs presently play in the Mid Gippsland league and would be obvious targets for the new league proposed to be run by the Gippsland league.
“The NGFNL remains one of the strongest leagues in Gippsland,” league president Martha Truin said.
“The NGFNL has a solid partnership with Sale Umpires Association where our clubs are also supported by a full complement of umpires every week.
“The NGFNL board of directors are united in continuing to deliver a competition to its member clubs of an extremely high standard for the remainder of the year and into the future.”
GIPPSLAND SECOND TIER PLANS REVEALED
The Gippsland league has revealed ambitious plans for a second division competition it could have up and running next year with a minimum six clubs.
It’s major competition of 10 clubs that stretches from Bairnsdale to Drouin and south to Wonthaggi won’t be affected by the proposal.
But expressions of interest will be sought in coming weeks from clubs that can field seniors, reserves and under-18s football teams and a full complement of netball teams.
It follows recent talks between the North Gippsland and Mid Gippsland leagues about “potential scenarios for the future”.
Mid Gippsland league clubs Newborough, Hill End, Yinnar and Morwell East have either applied previously or are considering leaving the competition.
Current North Gippsland clubs Traralgon Tyers United, Yallourn Yallourn North, Heyfield and Churchill previously played in the region’s major league.
Gippsland league president Andrew Livingstone said AFL Gippsland had been briefed on its plans.
“We’re committed to at least gauging some interest and seeing where it lands,” he said.
“There are some clubs that don’t have juniors and are struggling.
“That is the reason why some clubs are looking to move.
“They want something a bit different.”
The Murray league attempted a similar move 12 months ago, but had its plans scuttled by AFL Goulburn-Murray when it couldn’t convince eight clubs to sign up for the first year.
Livingstone said the league’s administration had already put together proposed fixtures for six, seven and eight team competitions.
“We want to get people talking and gauge interest and see if we can’t get something started next year,” he said.
“We’ve got a timeline for that to happen, but it will be contingent on whether clubs can get the blessing from their members to go down that path.
“Once we get something started we feel it will grow.
“Ideally we would love to see that division out to a 10-team comp, all with similar strength clubs.
“It may all fall over, but we think, long term this is the best option to build on.
“We’ve got a structure in place to be able to pull the trigger on it pretty quick if clubs want to jump on board.”
Originally published as Gippsland Football-Netball League second division proposal for 2025
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