Mt Eliza Junior Football Club banned from playing home matches after committee turmoil

A massive junior football club in Melbourne’s south has been ruled “unconstitutional” and banned from playing home games. Here is what we know.

Mt Eliza Junior Football Club players.

Australia’s biggest junior football club is in turmoil after the resignation of committee members and a league ruling to disallow home games.

Mt Eliza Junior Football Club, which has more than 30 teams, is in a state of flux since a handful of its committee resigned earlier this month.

Subsequently, the MEJFC appointed a new 11-member committee.

Last week the Frankston and District Junior League ruled the club unconstitutional and moved all games away from Emil Madsen Reserve in Mount Eliza “until further notice’’.

“Based on the MEJFC Constitution, we find that the MEJFC is not compliant,’’ an FDJFL statement said.

“While we are working with members of the club, we are in the tenuous position of needing to ensure the safety of all players in AFLSE competitions until this has been resolved.’’

In its own statement, the MEJFC committee said it was disappointed the FDJFL had moved games away and hoped the issue would be resolved quickly.

The MEJFC statement, to its members, also raised financial issues.

It read: “The Committee is working hard to address several critical issues such as:

*negative cash flows in the operating activities of MEJFC, including the canteen

*the past 4 years recommendations by MEJFC’s auditors to implement controls

and processes for: cash handling and disbursements; credit/reward points with suppliers, such as Rebel Sport; a systematic tracking system for Square transactions to enhance transparency and accuracy in financial reporting; a disconnect in the operations between Auskick and the Junior Club; a lack of clear processes, procedures or a strategic roadmap for the future.’’

Mt Eliza football club at Madsen Reserve.

FDJFL president Jamie Hughes said his board and AFL South East were “continually working with Mt Eliza’’ and hoped the MEJFC would set a date for a special general meeting so a constitutional committee could be elected.

MEJFC treasurer Marcus van Enk said the club’s current situation had attracted much comment on Facebook.

“If you read what’s going on on the socials there are so many different angles to this,’’ he said.

“And it’s hard to see through everybody’s agenda.

“But at the end of it all it’s always just been about the kids, getting the kids on the ground and making this a strong club. I think somewhere along the way that’s being diverted. That attention has been distracted by other things that are going on out there in the small world of Mt Eliza and the small world of local footy.

“It’s a sad outcome to see what it’s come to but all we can do is keep going ahead and trying our best to get the games back here on the local grounds and make sure the kids are enjoying their sport and not getting caught up in all this.’’