RDFNL president confident the league can build in cancelled season
Riddell District league president Brenton Knott is disappointed there’s no footy this season but is confident the league and clubs can use the year off to build a stronger future.
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Riddell District Football Netball League president Brenton Knott is confident the cancelled 2020 season can help improve the league’s long-term sustainability.
The RDFNL was one of the last competitions in Victoria to scrap its season, making the call on June 30.
Clubs praised the league’s handling of the situation but Melbourne’s second wave and the lockdown imposed on several north-west suburbs ended any hopes of playing on.
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Knott was disappointed but saw a silver lining in difficult times.
“We’re very sad about it for our community because we think we’re a very important part. The camaraderie of footy clubs is second to none,” he said.
“In saying that, it will give our clubs an opportunity to reset and come up with some innovative fundraisers.
“We were thinking we’re 90 per cent sure we’re going to play footy but when had those massive spikes we went from 90 per cent to 10 per cent.
“We consulted with our presidents and it was basically unanimous that it was too difficult for the season to go ahead.”
Several clubs had coaches and players caught up in the initial hotspot lockdown, including Woodend-Hesket’s Ben Tankard, while Rupertswood was not able to train at its home ground.
The RDFNL junior football and netball seasons were also cancelled.
The year off will be especially crucial for struggling clubs such as Lancefield and Rockbank.
The Tigers lured club great Tom Waters back as coach this year while the Rams held a successful ‘debt demolition’ day last year.
Knott said the league was working closely with both clubs to ensure their ongoing viability.
“Lancefield are travelling really well, they’ve been very responsible to get back to where they are,” he said.
“We’re really positive with the way they’re moving forward.
“Rockbank, we’re continuing to work with, they’re doing some good things – shoring up their sponsors and fundraising initiatives.
“They had some good numbers on the track (in pre-season) and were looking good until we couldn’t play.”
The RDFNL is also reviewing its relationship with AFL Goldfields as part of its long-term plan.