Maryborough Magpies to find out on July 9 if MCDFNL bid is successful

The future of one Victoria’s oldest footy clubs will be decided next month after the new league it wants to join outlined when it will vote on the move. Here is what we know.

The Maryborough Magpies are looking to join the Maryborough Castlemaine District league next year. Picture: Aaron Cook

The Maryborough Magpies future will become clearer next month after details emerged of when the Maryborough Castlemaine District league (MCDFNL) would vote on whether to accept or reject the historic club.

Earlier this month the former Bendigo league club presented to the MCDFNL to outline why it should enter the competition in 2026 after making an application to join.

It followed playing in the Bendigo league from 1991 to the end of last year when the club went into recess after heavy senior losses and a lack of playing numbers.

This masthead can now reveal the MCDFNL will vote on allowing them to join on July 9 when the board and clubs get together.

Maryborough Magpies need 75 per cent, or 15 out of 20 votes, to be successful.

If the vote is in its favour the club will join for 2026.

If it doesn’t go well then the Magpies either need to rejoin the Bendigo league in 2026 or make the tough decision to remain in recess.

Maryborough, with the vote coming after the deadline to move leagues, will not have another opportunity to move to another competition.

They have also indicated moving back to the Bendigo league is not an option, which leaves the MCDFNL as the only option to continue.

“This vote will determine whether our move to the MCDFNL will go ahead,” the club said in a statement.

“Keep your fingers crossed for us and we’ll keep you updated as soon as we receive the outcome.”

EARLIER

The future of the Maryborough Magpies could be decided in the next few weeks as the Maryborough Castlemaine District league (MCDFNL) vote to allow one of the oldest clubs in Victoria tin.

The former Bendigo league side presented to the MCDFNL board and club’s on Wednesday night, explaining why the side should be admitted to the competition.

The Magpies are currently in recess after losing every game last year in the Bendigo league and struggling with numbers throughout the season.

After recently ruling out a return to Bendigo the Magpies have now applied to join the MCDFNL.

MCDFNL president Paul Wicks said the meeting was positive.

“We’re going to get some feedback from the clubs and then a meeting (special general meeting) will be called,” he said.

“There was a few questions from clubs, positive questions I would say. We’re a couple of weeks off calling the SGM.

“21 days later (after it is called) there will be a vote.”

Maryborough Magpies coach Matthew Johnston talking to the team last year against Golden Square. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Wicks revealed Maryborough will have KPI’s it must adhere to if the club was voted in.

“We’ve said to our committee all the way along there will be KPI’s to this, to them coming in,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Maryborough a few times on it, they are happy with that.

“All we’re doing now is opening it up to the clubs for a bit of feedback regarding KPI’s for the next week or so.”

Some of the KPI’s, Wicks revealed, had to do with the club getting a coach and its off-field structure sorted ahead of next year.

He wouldn’t specify the KPI’s the club had to follow.

Maryborough needs 75 per cent of votes from the 20 available with seven board members and 13 clubs to get one vote each.

Maryborough president Glen Bardsley said the league had a big opportunity.

“Clubs are folding everywhere, all over the place, we have an opportunity to keep a club alive,” he said.

“There’s not a lot of clubs out there that drop back and continue. We’ve got a chance to give some life, everyone should see that.

“We don’t want another club to fold.”

Bardsley said his club was confident of a positive outcome.

“It went good, pretty positive,” he said.

“We’ve done what we can do now, so we just sit back and wait. We presented what we spoke to all the clubs about that there is a community need for another club in Maryborough and the numbers are there.

“Otherwise there will be a lot of kids miss out on football and netball.”