Funding plea: Clubs warn AFL reforms ‘crush country footy’
A FRUSTRATED football president admits ploughing more than $50,000 of his own cash into his beloved club — as scores more plead for AFL funding to survive.
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A FRUSTRATED football president admits he has ploughed more than $50,000 of his own cash into his beloved club — as scores more plead for AFL funding to survive.
Country leagues continue to grapple with a push by the AFL to consolidate the management of country football across the state.
They claim clubs are increasingly forced to stump up additional fees and levies with no cash flowing back. Elsewhere, competition restructures have led to a player vacuum.
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Mt Eliza chief Mick Dunne said he had to resort to using his own money, having failed to win even a $500 handout from the league to pay for drink bottles.
He warned at least 40 per cent of all country clubs would face bankruptcy within five years unless something was done.
“What the AFL doesn’t seem to understand is that it is squeezing country footy to death,’’ he said.
“Its political platform has become more important than its responsibility as a sports administrator.’’
In 2011, a AFL review of Victorian country footy called for a better administrative structure to “ensure clubs and leagues could deliver sustainable competitions”.
The AFL has been making those changes.
But Rob Clohesy, former president of Mitiamo Football Club, said the AFL had no understanding of what country clubs were up against.
“They come up with these great ideas to keep themselves in a job, and I don’t think that’s right,’’ he said.
“Our facilities are run down, our lights are s--t, we can’t afford players — they need to come up here and see what we are battling.’’
Simply donating footballs or tape would take an enormous financial burden off clubs, he said.
Sorrento president Bernie Balmer said a decision to split the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League into two divisions meant players and spectators had to travel too far.
As a result, he said, the club could no longer field an under-19 team and despite soaring at the top of the ladder, its seniors side was facing the same fate.
Gate takings had also taken a hit, sliding more than 20 per cent this year.
“All the administrators are interested in is money,’’ Balmer said. “They couldn’t give a stuff about community footy.’’
Insiders at Loddon Valley League said fees increased from $500 to more than $2400 since it had been managed by a regional administrator, with AFL Central seizing gate takings that had historically been split between clubs.
“We were told the money would be held for a rainy day,’’ said one source. “We haven’t seen it since.’’
Central Highlands Central Highlands Football League president Eddy Comelli said something had to give.
“We are not saying we don’t need or want the AFL,’’ he said.
“We just want a fair shake of the tree for country clubs. They’ve created a monster and need to fuel it — it’s a bureaucracy that just doesn’t work for small communities.’’
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League wants its own answers from AFL South East after profits from the sale of its administration office were allegedly siphoned off to pay down another league’s debt.
AFLSE rigorously denied the claims this week saying the cash, more than $350,000, remained in trust for the MPNFL’s exclusive use.
Regional manager John Anderson also added: “The competition restructure has been supported by the clubs, and just about all the feedback … has been positive.’’
AFL Victoria was approached for comment.
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