Maryborough Magpies move one step closer to joining MCDFNL

The future of one Victoria’s oldest footy clubs could be decided in the next few weeks after a meeting with a new league. Here is what we know.

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

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.”