Northern league clubs vote to accept two wantaway VAFA clubs for 2024

Northern league clubs have voted to accept wantaway VAFA clubs Ivanhoe and Old Paradians for 2024. Here’s what each had to say.

Old Paradians and Ivanhoe accepted into Northern league.

It’s a tick from us.

Northern league club presidents have overwhelmingly voted to accept two wantaway VAFA clubs into the competition next season.

Ivanhoe and Old Paradians presented to club representatives last night at Heidelberg Golf Club in the hope of playing in 2024.

Both were accepted and, if there’s no objection from the amateurs, the decision will be ratified by AFL Victoria.

Should that happen, the pair are expected to be entered into Division 3, which would expand to an 11-team competition.

Old Paradians celebrate a goal. Picture: Old Paradians Facebook

The Hoers and Raiders have almost 200 years of history combined in the VAFA but both were determined to move leagues in the hope of long-term sustainability.

Ivanhoe members voted in August to move leagues.

After being accepted last night, president Peter Rawley said it was an exciting time for the club.

“We presented and it went to a vote but some people I know advised me we were unanimously voted through. That’s greatly appreciated,” Rawley said.

“While we were putting plans in place, you couldn’t prepare for 2024 with 100 per cent certainty, but now we can start to enact those things.

“We can start having those discussions with our coaches, our players, staff, sponsors and members and look to obviously recruit.”

Hoers senior coach Wayne Schultz and general manager of coaching Ash Close are both well known to the NFNL having earned Team of the Year honours during stints at Northcote Park.

They’ll be joined this season by club great John Matthew, who was football manager in Northcote Park’s 1999, 2000 and 2012 premiership years and was an assistant coach in Heidelberg’s 2016 premiership.

Ash Close in action for Ivanhoe. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Meanwhile, Old Paradians members voted to leave the VAFA in September.

After appointing a new coach the day of the vote, Raiders president Simon Vincent said the club could now ramp up preparations in earnest.

“We had 10 minutes in front of the clubs and I focused on what value we could bring to the league.

“We got asked a couple of questions we were expecting, such as proximity to other clubs and a women’s team, then we sat out in the foyer for a nerve-racking 10 minutes.

“We heard an encouraging round of applause and I thought that means we’re in, they invited us back in and made it official.

“There’s a real buzz around the club at the moment, we announced our coach Ben Turner (on Wednesday) and now we can sit down and have more meaningful conversations with, not just prospective players, but also people who are looking to help off the field.”

DIV 3: PREMIERSHIP MAGPIE JOINS OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

SIGNED: OLD PARADIANS SECURE NFNL PREMIERSHIP COACH

The club will enter the NFNL with enviable player depth.

Paradians fielded senior, reserve, thirds and under-19s teams last season and expects to retain the majority of its playing group.

“That was a concern of ours because the Northern don’t have a Thirds,” Vincent said.

“We spoke to those guys … we were really encouraged by the fact a dozen of them said we’ve loved our time at the club and we’re going to get more serious next year and put our hands up to play twos.”