New era dawns

Divisional football will take place under the AFL South East banner in 2018. 168493 Picture: ROB CAREW

By David Nagel

Clubs from the Nepean, Peninsula and South East Football Netball Leagues will compete in division football in 2018 after AFL South East released its draft recommendations from its Senior Football Competition Review.
The composition of the divisional structure is still to be decided, with all 31 clubs under the AFLSE banner and subsequent stakeholders having two options to consider.
The review panel, consisting of AFL South East Region General Manager John Anderson, Netball Victoria Representative Jen Camilleri, Independent Paul Milo and AFLSE Football Development Managers Jack Henty and Cam Roberts presented the following options to the AFL South East Commission.
1. Full Divisional Structure – Initially three divisions, with Premier Division comprising a minimum of 10 teams with the lower divisions one and two comprising the balance of the teams.
2. Partial Divisional Structure – Initially three divisions, with a Premier Division supported by two lower divisions of equal standing, geographically structured into Northern and Southern from the balance of the teams.
A full divisional structure would see promotion and relegation between all three divisions, while a partial structure has initially been designed for two teams to be relegated from the Premier Division and be replaced by the premiers from both the Northern and Southern Divisions.
Regardless of whether a full or partial divisional structure is in place for 2018, all 31 clubs will be assessed for their suitability for the top division by using the following criteria:
– On field club performance over the past three years. Both football and netball will be considered allowing a whole of club assessment to take place.
– Playing depth in both football and netball.
– Financial sustainability. Ability of the club to compete in the top league from a financial point of view. Club financials for past two years to be requested.
– Quality of boys and girl’s juniors and junior pathway.
– Must have Under 19s football.
– Facilities, including capacity for crowds, netball, all-ability access, females (including future development plans).
– Netball – fill all senior grades.
– The review panel suggests the Commission consider a weighted score based on the criteria to determine the standing of a club and their capacity to compete.
AFLSE is now calling for industry feedback into the discussion paper, compiled after the undertaking of individual consultation meetings with all senior clubs in the AFL South East region.
Review panel chair John Anderson said that he was very pleased with the way the individual club consultations were conducted.
“Clubs were open, honest and respectful during the process,” he said.
“The discussion paper has been prepared to incorporate much of the feedback received and recorded during the consultation phase. It was encouraging to hear from a number of clubs during the consultation phase that the Commission should act in the best interests of football in the region.”
“As a Region Commission we have a responsibility to grow and develop the game and it is imperative that any competition structure has the scope to achieve that.”
Anderson said the Commission believes the two options are fair and will provide much needed divisional competition between clubs.
“The options not only address the concerns raised by the majority of clubs but they also strike a balance with the competing issues specific to some clubs. It is critical that local footy evolves to meet the challenges facing our region – this direction preserves our history and sets up our future. Of prime importance is the ability of our league to attract new clubs to participate in the competition,” he said.
All clubs were asked about the impact on netball during the consultation and a section of the paper has been devoted to issues facing local netball.
An almost unanimous view was that whatever happened with the football review, ie – whether leagues remained separate or a divisional structure eventuated, netball should follow the football so that the home game experience combines football and netball at the same time.
Despite that common ground, there were some areas that were raised during the consultation phase that need to be addressed depending on the outcome of the football review.
The structural difference between the three leagues as they currently stand and the availability of venues to cater for both junior and senior netball as part of the home and away experience are the top agenda items that need addressing.
In accordance with the Review’s Terms of Reference, clubs and other stakeholders have four weeks to respond to the options outlined in the paper. The review panel will consider the feedback before making a final recommendation to the Region Commission. Closing date for responses is Monday 3 July 2017.
Of the two options proposed, it would appear that the full divisional structure would have the support to be the preferred choice for clubs in 2018.
The majority of Peninsula and SEFNL clubs favoured this structure while Nepean clubs such as Sorrento, Rye, Rosebud and Dromana, were strong on maintaining a geographical structure.
The full divisional structure would also allay AFL South East’s original concerns that isolating leagues into geographical concentration had the potential to impact on club sustainability, competitive balance and new club entry.
And club feedback suggested a desire to have competitive competitions outweighed the need for a geographical structure.
The question for stakeholders responding to this paper will be: Is this option best for the growth of football in the region, compared to a club’s specific view, which may centre around more travel time or the loss of a local derby?
Further discussions to come from the paper include AFL South East’s desire to conduct independent reviews into junior and women’s football and will align an umpiring strategy within its final recommendations.