What does future hold for Golden Rivers league beyond 2025?
A single competition, divisions, mergers all on table for football-netball clubs in two leagues in northern Victoria. See the latest.
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Central Murray and Golden Rivers clubs are being surveyed about the “optimum structure” for football-netball in the region beyond this season.
A single league, two divisions with promotion-relegation and mergers are all on the table as options as part of the “Northern Futures Project” that has been instigated by the Central Rivers board that is in charge of both leagues with a combined 17 clubs.
Board member and Swan Hill mayor Stuart King is heading up the working party that has commenced the online survey of clubs followed by one-on-one meetings before a draft report for consideration will be tabled in June.
“It’s a tight timeline, but we need to give clubs plenty of time to prepare for any potential changes in season 2026,” he said.
The latest moves followed an unsuccessful attempt by Golden Rivers reigning premiers Ultima to join the Central Murray league which gained the backing of the required number of Central Murray clubs, but not Golden Rivers clubs.
The Golden Rivers league has only six clubs and had Ultima left at the end of last season it would have had only five clubs _ Hay, Macorna, Moulamein, Murrabit and Wandella.
In the last three years, the Golden Rivers league lost Nullawil to the North Central league and Quambatook folded.
Central Murray club Cohuna Kangas have also made two unsuccessful attempts to join the Heathcote District league.
“We don’t have a predetermined position,” Mr King said.
“We want the clubs to drive this.
“The clubs have been really well engaged with this process.
“They all recognise that the current format is not sustainable.
“It is about coming up with options that will support football-netball in the future.
“The age demographic of players in our region is the highest in the state.
“This combination of factors is unsustainable.
“We’re bringing clubs along on the journey and asking them to shape it as well.”
CLUBS WHICH HAVE TRANSFERRED LEAGUES FOR 2025
Broadford: Been accepted into the Bendigo league, but will remain in recess until 2026.
Bunyip: West Gippsland to Ellinbank
Dookie United: Kyabram District to Picola District
Melton South: Ballarat to Riddell District
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