Picola League cuts ties with AFL Goulburn Murray

THE Picola District Football Netball League will not affiliate to AFL Goulburn Murray and AFL Victoria this year, after failing to meet a deadline to accept a one-year offer.

THE Picola District Football Netball League will not affiliate to AFL Goulburn Murray and AFL Victoria this year, after failing to meet a deadline to accept a one-year offer.

The PDFNL had until 5pm yesterday to accept the offer from AFL Goulburn Murray.

AFL Goulburn Murray region general manager Martin Gleeson said in a statement today that he was disappointed the matter had dragged on for so long.

“This is the fourth consecutive recent communication deadline PDFNL has not adhered to regarding affiliation,” Gleeson said.

“Both AFL Goulburn Murray and AFL Victoria have provided multiple opportunities over the past two years for the PDFNL to discuss its reservations with affiliation, which they repeatedly chose not to participate in.”

PDFNL clubs will remain affiliated with the region commission for the next two weeks and have the option of joining an AFL Goulburn Murray-managed football netball competition for this season.

“If there is interest from clubs in remaining within the system, including insurance, player transfer regulations and pathway programs then it’s important that they be provided with an option to do so,” Gleeson said.

“As well as retaining the current benefits of affiliation the alternate competition will be governed by a local advisory committee, be administered from the AFL GM office and will engage the services of an affiliated umpiring group to officiate matches.

“The PDFNL Board have made their stance clear that they wish to not be a part of the AFL Victoria system and over the next two weeks clubs will also be given the opportunity to decide which direction they wish to take.”