Country football: Survey reveals strong support for voice for the bush

A survey sent to more than 400 clubs across Victoria has shown support for stronger recognition of issues facing country footy.

A push to have a representative with a country football background added to the AFL Victoria board of management has gained strong backing.

A survey conducted by community football advocate John White, and sent to more than 400 clubs statewide in recent weeks, has revealed 95 per cent of more than 200 respondents were in favour of the addition of a board member familiar with challenges experienced by country leagues.

Meanwhile, the performance of AFL Victoria management over the last five years failed to get a pass mark from 88 per cent of survey respondents.

“An independent board member from the country is desperately needed to serve the needs and interests of country clubs and communities,” Mr White said.

“This survey was driven by requests from community league leaders who had been expressing disquiet for some time.”

AFL Victoria chairman Lindsay Tanner. Pic: Michael Klein

In responding to the survey, an AFL Victoria spokesman said it was “continually looking at ways to enhance its governance model”.

The board is presently led by former federal Labor minister and Essendon president Lindsay Tanner, lawyer Jenny Taing, businessman and former Fitzroy player Grant O’Riley, AFL employee Jennie Loughnan, AFL executive team member Rob Auld, recently appointed AFL Victoria boss Greg Madigan and secretary Kate Darroch.

AFL Victoria confirmed moves were afoot to appoint someone with “extensive experience” in country football, with The Weekly Times being told by multiple sources that former Fremantle Dockers coach and retired National Party MP, Damian Drum, was under consideration.

“AFL Victoria has been in the process of reviewing and expanding the composition and experience on the AFL Victoria board for a number of months,” the spokesman said.

“This will culminate in a recommendation to be put forward at the upcoming AFL Victoria board meeting to appoint a new board member with extensive experience in country football, organisational governance and leadership, while an additional board appointment is being considered to bring someone on who further builds out metro community football experience and diversity of the board, to help provide strategic direction and leadership for the grassroots game across the state.”