Progress of football’s regional administration centres

IT’S been seven years since AFL Victoria brought about a revolution in the way the game is managed, with regional administration centres at the forefront.

COUNTRY football’s changes in administration and governance have been big talking points around the grounds this year.

It has been almost seven years since then-AFL Victoria chairman Peter Jackson handed down his review into country football, but the changes rolled out have not always appealed to those who they were aiming to help.

Central to his recommendations were the establishment of local commissions and regional administration centres.

The commissions and RACs have come under fire from some quarters, but there are also those who are supportive of the work they do.

The Weekly Times spoke to a range of presidents whose clubs and leagues are part of the local RACs about their experiences with the administration and governance changes.

The responses ranged from positive, highlighting staff were available for assistance and helping to relieve administration burden, to accusations they were not transparent enough or needed better communication.

There was some responses that the ideas had merit, but were not yet perfect.

AFL Victoria said the RACs supported umpiring, coaching, Auskick and school football as well as football leagues.

“The establishment of region commissions has ensured local authority has been provided to allow local people to make local decisions in the best strategic interests of the game,” AFL Victoria said.

“It’s positive to see that the majority of leagues have already joined a RAC and are benefiting from a structure that helps build capacity, enhance structures, consolidate resources and promote the game of Australian football — and netball — across regional Victoria.”

KANGAROO FLAT (Bendigo)

Scott Mitchell, club president

“From what I’ve seen it’s not working seamlessly. There are some issues there, but they seem to be trying to get it right.

“They need to open themselves up a little bit more and listen to what the clubs are trying to say on issues.”

WIMMERA

Trevor Albrecht, league chief commissioner

“All I can say is it’s a really, really good (relationship with the commission). We don’t come across each other a huge amount but the last 12 months we have because we’ve been dealing with a review together.

“As a general relationship we work hand-in-hand really well. We see where they sit and what they handle, and we handle more personal stuff for the clubs and they handle the region and we’re happy with the way that’s going.”

MININERA & DISTRICT

John Box, league president

Declined to comment

HAMPDEN

John Ross, league president

“This is our second year in a RAC. To be honest it’s got merit, I can see where it’s heading, but I think there are two parts to it.

“They need more experience when they recruit for the positions and there needs to be more listening and more working together with clubs instead of coming in and making rules without any consultation.

“Communication has probably been lacking with leagues and clubs and if we could tighten that up a bit I think we could all work together pretty well.”

KOO WEE RUP (West Gippsland)

Gary King, club secretary and life member

“They’re introducing, which I’m not against, a corporate style of management in the regions across Victoria. However, never lose sight of the fact clubs are run by volunteer workers.

“Many clubs are disillusioned by the style of management that’s expected from volunteer workers.”

SWAN HILL (Central Murray)

Anthony Blohm, club president

“We’re probably in a fortunate position that our club doesn’t rely a lot on the RAC as far as needing to do anything for club business, but through the RAC’s frequent communications we’re up to speed with any changes or issues occurring in our league.

“I’m very positive about it in our part of the state with what the commission and RAC are doing to try to improve football for the sustainability of clubs.”

HUNTLY (Heathcote District)

Sam Walker, club president

“It’s working fine. They come out to a lot of the country clubs and they sit down with the committees and work through the operations of a club and what you can do to help and what they can do more of to help you.

“It is going to get a lot harder, I think, in the next couple of years and the commission is going to have to work hard to sort (it) out.

“Carol Cathcart, the region general manager, is great. She jumps on things straight away can always pick the phone up and give her a call, they’re always there to help.”

SHEPPARTON UNITED (Goulburn Valley)

Craig Blizzard, club president

“Really all they do is administer the league, most of the decisions are made by club delegates.

“They tick every box financially, and they’re very, very good with administration advice, probably too good … if they just send one email a week and put 10 things in it … in the end we’ve got a real life outside of football … but I don’t have a problem with them.”

Note: Shepparton United’s secretary Sharon O’Dwyer works for AFL Goulburn Murray in league operations.

TALLANGATTA & DISTRICT

Rex Gray, league president

“As a league we are happy with the way the North East Border is handling our affairs administration wise.

“They’ve got a tough job to try to do, and they’ve been great. They have the available information we need as a football operation if issues arise.”

EAST GIPPSLAND

Andrew Powell, league president

Declined to comment

RED HILL (Mornington Peninsula Nepean)

Graham Sherry, club president

“The concept (RAC and commissions) is commendable, but our administration sometimes fails to take into account the practical operational aspects of the clubs it administers.

“Our clubs were in favour of having the Division 1 grand final on a Saturday, the commission wanted it on Sunday and commission’s view prevailed against the view of clubs.

“Also there is no leadership in regards to the general consensus of the clubs to move towards the creation of a third division.”

ELLINBANK & DISTRICT

Roger Gwynne, league president

“I don’t think it’s going all that well. Our board think they (RAC and commission) are not transparent enough with the clubs and leagues they represent. There’s a review of country football again, this is about the third or fourth one I’ve been to.

“The AFL should leave country leagues alone and let them run their own leagues and clubs because we’re in a better position to know what our clubs can and cannot do.

“I can see (the RAC) working but not the way they went about it. I think they took on too much at one time where they should’ve progressed slowly.”

TRARALGON (Gippsland)

Andrew Livingstone, club president

“There is some good and bad I think … Certainly there is better administrative support for clubs which has taken a load off some of the aspects of what we need to do.

“On other hand the RAC seems to be getting bigger and bigger and there seems to be more and more we need to send in information-wise. Even though they help, it is almost like it is creating more work for the clubs as well. It’s a catch 22 almost.”