AFL Gippsland Region Commission is set to launch a major review into senior football league structures in Gippsland.
The review will incorporate the region’s five senior competitions: Gippsland League, Alberton and North Gippsland football netball leagues and Mid Gippsland and Ellinbank and District football leagues.
A review committee is being formed, featuring representatives from AFL Gippsland and AFL Victoria and up to four independent members from across the region.
The aim of the review is to provide balanced competitions in Gippsland, promoting the sustainability of clubs and increase participation.
Population changes and the geographical challenges of the region will also be considered as part of the review.
The impact on junior football, umpiring and netball will also be taken into account, with AFL Gippsland seeking a person with netball experience in the region to assist in the review process.
All clubs, leagues and associations in Gippsland will have the opportunity to have an input into the review through meetings, surveys and other forms of consultation. The decision to review senior football league structures comes on the back of AFL Gippsland’s successful review of junior football in West Gippsland last year, which led to the re-structure of the Warragul and District Junior Football League and Ellinbank and District Football League junior competitions.
AFL Gippsland Region Commission chair Brian Quigley said while the review was a significant undertaking, it was extremely important for the future of football in the region.
“What has been made clear to us through our extensive consultation with leagues and clubs over the past 12 months, is there are major issues in football in our region that need to be addressed,” Quigley said.
“We know some clubs are doing it tough at the moment and we need to look at the competitive balance of leagues where some areas are growing faster than others and some clubs have greater access to on-field and off-field resources.”
Quigley said the review would not necessarily result in wholesale changes to current league structures, but the football community should be prepared for any changes the process recommends.
“Our first and foremost obligation is to protect clubs and if that means re-structuring leagues, then that is what we will do,” Quigley said.
The review process will begin during the 2015 season and likely continue into season 2016, with changes to be implemented in 2017.
A project plan and terms of reference for the review committee are currently being developed.
Clubs and leagues will be able to access this information following the first review committee meeting, slated for March, 2015.
