By David Nagel
The future of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) is looking bright after its member clubs voted unanimously to form their own entity and become an incorporated association on Thursday night.
Until now, the clubs – Bunyip, Cora Lynn, Dalyston, Garfield, Inverloch-Kongwak, Kilcunda-Bass, Kooweerup, Korumburra-Bena, Nar Nar Goon, Phillip Island, Tooradin-Dalmore and Warragul Industrials – were an entity as part of AFL Gippsland.
Thursday night’s meeting saw 18 presidents – those of the 12 football clubs and six independent netball clubs – become directors of the league, giving them the ability to have more say in the future direction of the WGFNC moving forward.
The first decisions made by the new directors were to appoint AFL Gippsland to govern and administer the WGFNC, while league Operations Manager Brandon Milburn will continue in his current role but under the new title of secretary.
From an operational point of view nothing much changes, but the clubs now have more power in making decisions that impact the financial security and competition structure in the future.
AFL Gippsland Region Manager Nic Fogarty said there were exciting times ahead after a great result had been reached after a lengthy process.
“It’s a great result on the back of two years of hard work with all clubs to work through the process and get to this unanimous outcome,” Fogarty said.
“All clubs have now positioned themselves to take the WGFNC to the next level.”
Milburn was also thrilled to be involved in one of the most progressive football and netball leagues in the region.
“I am excited to continue working with all clubs and growing the WGFNC brand in the hope and expectation the football and netball becomes the most attractive in Gippsland,” Milburn said.
“With the 2022 season planning already underway, the competition and clubs look forward to making some exciting announcements in the coming weeks.”
