AFL Victoria introducing regional councils in Gippsland, Wimmera-Mallee, Goldfields and Western District

Gippsland football is one of four regions to be run by a new “regional council” next year. Have your say on the future of country footy here.

Country football administration is undergoing some major off-season changes with the introduction of regional councils in Gippsland and other parts of the state.

Gippsland has not had an overarching body in place to oversee the game since 2019 when its commission was dismissed by AFL Victoria for accumulating debts between $100,000 and $200,0000.

Regional councils are also being introduced in Wimmera-Mallee, Western District and Goldfields where their commissions are being wound up.

Leading administrator Peter Jackson carried out a review into country football more than a decade ago with the introduction of independent commissions and regional administration hubs among his recommendations. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Commissions and regional administration centres were introduced nearly a decade ago when they were among 25 recommendations stemming from the Peter Jackson review into country football.

The review also spelt the death knell of the Victorian Country Football League.

Commissions will remain in the North-East Border, Goulburn-Murray, Central Victoria, Barwon and Sunraysia regions where regional administration centres still operate.

AFL Victoria’s John O'Donohue.

“What we, and locals want to retain, is localised decision-making for football decisions,” AFL Victoria community football manager John O’Donohue said.

“With leagues affiliating directly to AFL Vic in these regions, the councils become subcommittees of AFL Vic with delegated authority to make decisions in the region.

“In short, a council and commission will have the same decision-making responsibilities for the salary cap, player points, inter-region club transfers, appeals and other duties under AFL Vic rules.

“We’re also encouraging bottom up approaches where clubs and leagues drive agendas around reform to leagues.”

AFL Victoria failed to get total buy-in from all leagues to join the regional administration centres.

A 2019 deadline was put in place to join with the Geelong District and Ovens and Murray among those determined to retain their own administrative setups.

“Our current business model of employing our own staff, overseen by a board of management, operating from premises owned by the league has served us well over many years,” O&M chairman David Sinclair.

“Our staff are totally focused on serving the league and our 10 clubs and maximising both commercial and operational opportunities.

“We have a great relationship with our local commission and we work hand-in-hand to provide the best outcomes for our competition.”

Every league in Gippsland was initially administered by AFL Gippsland, but all will be self-administered in 2024.

The Goulburn Valley league last month extended its administration contract with AFLGM for a further three years.