AFL Gippsland Region Commission has officially commenced its review into senior football league structures in Gippsland.
The highly-anticipated review announced last month will incorporate the region’s five senior competitions, as well as junior football, umpiring and netball leagues, clubs and associations.
The aim of the review is to provide balanced competitions in Gippsland that promote the sustainability of clubs and increase participation.
The commission hosted the first meeting on Monday, 13 April, when it formally introduced the final members of the nine-person committee.
AFL Gippsland region general manager Travis Switzer will chair the committee, which includes football development managers Rob Reid, Ryan Evans and Chelsea Caple and Netball Victoria eastern regional development manager Judi Buhagiar.
The committee was rounded out by four independent members, Heyfield farmer Graeme Anderson, former Baw Baw Shire councillor Tony Wolfe, Korumburra osteopath Mat Holmes and retired Gippsland police officer Col Riley.
AFL Gippsland Region Commission chair Brian Quigley praised the calibre of committee members.
“We are very fortunate to have people with the local knowledge, expertise and football, netball and umpiring experience put their hands up for such an important project,” Quigley said.
“This review is a huge undertaking and we thank all our committee members in advance for the work they will put into it.”
Riley’s journeyed football career included time at Wonthaggi Blues (juniors and seniors), Victoria Police, Mooroopna and Hazelwood/Churchill football clubs as a player, coaching stints at Gormandale, Dalyston and Kilcunda-Bass, and as chairman of selectors’ role at Korumburra-Bena.
Anderson played 271 games for Heyfield, served as club president for five years and spent time on the North Gippsland Football Netball League board.
Holmes has a long association as a player, administrator and umpire in South Gippsland, including a premiership medal as a player at Nyora and more than 350 games as an umpire.
Wolfe was a senior footballer at Morwell and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, Gippsland Community Leadership Program and Institute of Company Directors.
Quigley encouraged everyone in the Gippsland football and netball community to approach club officials, to ensure their voice is heard and taken into account.
More information, including the review project plan and terms of reference are now available on the AFL Gippsland website, www.aflgippsland.sportingpulse.net
