New Northern Football Netball League policy bans clubs, players from ‘unapproved media’

A local football league’s decision to limit its clubs’ access to outside media, threatening fines or disqualification, has forced a popular fan-driven footy show on Facebook to shut down.

The NFNL has updated its media policy. Picture: Josh Chadwick

A local football league is cracking down on its club’s access to media and promotion.

The Northern Football Netball League has banned its clubs and players from speaking with “non-approved” media outlets in a new policy.

The move has forced the popular Northern Footy Show on Facebook to shut down.

The page confirmed its end this week, saying “we have faced numerous challenges, and despite our passion and dedication, we no longer have the strength to continue against the forces working against us”.

The NFNL emailed clubs last week after its board of directors endorsed an updated social media policy.

“All NFNL-affiliated clubs are strictly prohibited from engaging with or supporting any media platforms, including social media forums or pages, that have not been explicitly approved by the NFNL,” it read.

“This applies to all forms of media, including but not limited to: print media, online news outlets, social media platforms, podcasts, video blogs, or any other digital communication channels.

Clubs wishing to interact with “non-NFNL-endorsed media outlets” must gain written approval from the league and failure to do so could result in “significant consequences”.

The policy states clubs could face financial penalties, suspension of club activities or privileges, formal reprimands or disqualification from league events.

NFNL CEO Martin Stillman declined to comment.

A list of approved media outlets was not available on the league website.

No other metropolitan football netball league restricts clubs’ media interaction in such a manner.

The Northern Footy Show covered the weekly happenings and results in the NFNL across men’s and women’s football.

Creator Darin Compt declined to comment, saying the show had been intended to promote the league and clubs and it would not put clubs in jeopardy of league sanctions by continuing.

In a statement on the Facebook page, Compt said the show had already secured sponsorship for a new footy record and had organised a fundraiser for a struggling club that will now not go ahead.

The page will instead be dedicated to covering a range of local sports, including “cricket, footy, soccer, basketball and more”.

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More than 400 people reacted to the show’s announcement it was ending, including four clubs and a number of prominent players and coaches.

In a Facebook post, Hurstbridge lamented the loss of the Northern Footy Show.

“Devastating news to say the least, this is what passion looks like in local footy,” the post read.

“The boys created a fantastic network and following of people all supporting the same cause.”