By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE ELLINBANK and District Football League has made the extraordinary decision to revoke the membership of two clubs – including powerhouse, and reigning grand finalist Bunyip – unless they field sides in each division in the 2014 season.
It’s essentially an ultimatum – you’re either ‘all in’… or you’re out.
According to secretary Ken Moore, the league’s board of management made the move on the basis that both the Bulldogs and Neerim Neerim South, “did not intend to field sides in each of the five tiers of our league in 2014”.
Moore said the decision was regarded as “a pro-active action” to ensure the EDFL remained a viable competition across all grades.
“The board is adamant a strong under-age competition is the foundation of a sustainable league,” he said.
“The board unequivocally agreed that all clubs have an obligation to the long-term wellbeing of the competition over their short-term needs.
“The board’s view is that any club that moves a team into another association is prejudicial to the interests of our league.”
Moore acknowledged that the board’s decision was triggered by Bunyip, which withdrew its fifths – or under-13s – in 2013 without consultation or authorisation from the EDFL.
This extraordinary step comes as the AFL Gippsland commission knocked back a request from the EDFL to change its junior structure to include under-10s, under-12s, under-14s and under-16s and remove the under-13s and under-15.5s.
At the EDFL’s September delegates meeting, its 15 member clubs voted 12-3 to change the junior age groups to the new structure.
The league argued in its proposal to the Gippsland commission that the new structure would give youngsters at an earlier age the opportunity to play the game.
“The advent of an under-10 and under-12 competition would ensure kids in our area do not miss out on a game of football,” the EDFL’s proposal stated.
“Additionally, the availability of a smooth transition from under-12s to under-14s will appeal to parents and guardians who will profit from the knowledge that there is a structure in place within the one league and at two-year advancements for their children.
“If we are slow to enact this change it will likely see nine clubs, who have expressed their desire to field teams in our league, go elsewhere at this age level. West Division teams Nar Nar Goon and Kooweerup have already lodged a request to join the SEJFL. Catani is also likely to go the same way in 2014, while Lang Lang and Nyora need a competition on their doorstep to play in. Longwarry, a growing town; Neerim Neerim South, who have good numbers; Warragul Industrials and Nilma Darnum have all expressed a desire to field a team at these age levels in 2012. The loss of these teams will affect sponsorship and the availability of parents to support and assist the league in many capacities.”
The EDFL is due to hold a board meeting tonight (Wednesday).
For more on this story – including a wrap-up of the meeting and responses from the other parties involved – keep an eye on next week’s Gazette.
