Women’s footy club denied entry into country league after AFL Victoria rejection
A country women’s footy club is assessing its legal options after AFL Victoria blocked its move to a new league, despite unanimous support.
Breakaway football club Kyneton Women’s is assessing its legal options after AFL Victoria denied its entry to a new league.
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles, which broke away from Kyneton last year, had been accepted into the Central Victoria Football League – a women’s only competition based in Bendigo.
The CVFL had unanimously approved Kyneton Women’s application but AFL Victoria stepped in after an appeal by the neighbouring Riddell District league.
After being forced into a last-minute merger with Gisborne for 2025, which won the Essendon District Division 2 Women’s premiership undefeated, the club faces another year without a home.
The Eagles plan to take AFL Victoria to VCAT in a bid to have the decision overturned and allow the club to play football.
Kyneton Women’s president Natalie Korinfsky said the decision made no sense.
“It’s incredibly disappointing … we believe we’ve met all the criteria as Central Victoria Football League accepted our team unanimously and to find out another league can stop us playing seems ridiculous at this point,” Korinfsky said.
“The AFL talks about growing women’s and girls pathways, especially regionally, and this decision seems to go against all that logic.
“There’s a feeling they’re trying to force us back into the Kyneton Football Netball Club.
“After a review with AFL Victoria nothing has changed at that club – the club doesn’t have a president, a vice-president or a secretary right now – so if they haven’t addressed any of the issues why do we have to go back.”
In making its decision AFL Victoria assessed six criteria it believed disqualified Kyneton Women’s from taking the field.
The appeal panel decided the club’s sustainability, participation impact and facility did not meet the thresholds required for approval.
The factors considered where:
Insufficient evidence of need and long-term sustainability – the evidence presented did not provide a long-term sustainable outlook for a second football club within Kyneton and the surrounding region.
Impacts on existing clubs and pathways – potential adverse impacts to established junior development pathways at existing clubs in the region that currently offer female football programs and evidence that a majority of prospective KWFC players are currently registered and participating at existing clubs in nearby competitions.
Lack of demonstrated participation growth – the proposed club did not show sufficient evidence of generating new participants.
Uncertainty surrounding facility access and capacity – the proposal did not satisfy the Panel that adequate and secured facilities had been arranged.
Naming confusion and brand ambiguity – the Board identified significant risks arising from the proposed club name, which closely resembled that of an existing local club.
Consideration of historical and contextual factors – geographically, Kyneton sits outside the Central Victoria region, and the CVFL therefore had limited oversight of the broader implications of accepting a new club from outside its league’s catchment.
Korinfsky said the club was well founded and several factors were simply false.
“It’s not our concern whether there’s two teams (in Kyneton), we’ve provided everything to show we’re a sustainable club on our own,” she said.
“If we’re financially sustainable, we’ve got long-term sponsors, we’ve got commitment from Macedon Ranges Shire Council for grounds, we’ve got a full team ready to go, coaches, trainers, members, why aren’t we allowed to play.
“We made a commitment to Central Vic that we wouldn’t enter a junior team unless it was on top of what is already there – we wouldn’t go ahead if it would affect any junior club in the region, only if we felt there was a need that wasn’t being filled.
“(Lack of participation growth) just isn’t true, we’ve had plenty come forward to join our pre-season training, we’ve had another six players already join.
“We’re trying not to give them false hope, we’ve let them know that AFL Victoria has upheld the appeal, so we’re transparent but we’ve still got new players wanting to join.
“Why should we be denied access to play in the region, why is the RDFNL allowed to dictate where we play. It’s the tail wagging the dog
“Historically, Kyneton played in that league before going to the RDFNL so why can’t we play in it again.”
Kyneton participated in the CVFL in 2022, finishing outside the top-four on percentage, before joining the RDFNL and winning the league’s inaugural premiership.
Korinfsky said Macedon Ranges Shire Council had provided three home ground option for 2026; Kyneton Showgrounds No.2 oval, Tylden Oval and a reserve in Woodend.
Kyneton Women’s had been knocked back by the Essendon District league due to geographical reasons and the Ballarat league before being accepted into the CVFL.
Despite accepting Kyneton Women’s application unanimously, the league said in a statement it accepted AFL Victoria’s decision.
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“In October, the CVFL Advisory Committee unanimously supported Kyneton Women’s Football Club’s application for affiliation and, as required under AFL Victoria Community Affiliate Regulations, subsequently submitted to AFL Victoria,” the statement read.
“Following an objection, the AFL Victoria Appeal Panel has determined not to approve the application for the 2026 season.
“The league respects the outcome of the process and the role of AFL Victoria in administering community football governance.”
Riddell District league declined to comment on the matter.
“A NEW CHAPTER”: TIGERS VOW TO REBUILD AFTER SPLIT
The rebuild is on.
Nine months after Kyneton went from a Riddell District Women’s powerhouse to nothing, the Tigers are looking to return to the field in 2026.
In February, the club’s women’s team walked out in an acrimonious split, rebranding itself Kyneton Eagles.
It was forced to join forces with Gisborne in the Essendon District league after being turned away by leagues.
The Tigers announced Lisa Borg would return to the club as senior women’s coach in July.
Borg played junior football at Kyneton and was one of the key players behind the founding of the club’s women’s team in 2015, serving as player and coach.
The club has since confirmed several signings but more players are needed.
Kyneton began it’s pre-season in November and numbers have been encouraging.
Tigers football manager David Nolte said Borg, women’s manager Glen Harris and the club were working hard to revive the women’s team.
“We had a few down there and Lisa is working hard in the background to get more,” Nolte said.
“We’re training on Wednesday night and we’ve got a few on the book, albeit not a full side that the minute.
“Our youth girls have got quite good numbers though, so that’s a good result.
“That’s where Lisa’s focus is, just to see what the interest out there is.
“Perhaps once school holidays go back (next year) we’ll start seeing better numbers.”
Following the creation of the RDFNL Women’s competition, the Tigers reached back-to-back grand finals, winning the premiership in 2023.
After the controversial start to the year, Kyneton hopes it can begin a new chapter.
Nolte said the club’s changerooms and facilities had undergone renovations and would be ready for the 2026 season.
“Everything in the background is ready to go, the club has been working hard for the past 12 months,” he said.
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“We’re doing everything in our power, we’re pretty eager to return to the field.
“Everything has been done up and converted, all the changerooms for the women’s – and men’s – footy and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Gisborne-Kyneton amalgamation won the EDFL Division 2 Women’s premiership undefeated this season.
However, the Eagles, again looking to play as a standalone club in 2026 have been knocked back by the Riddell District league for admission in 2026.
Originally published as Women’s footy club denied entry into country league after AFL Victoria rejection
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