Kyneton Football Netball Club will hold public meeting this week after the AFL Central Vic Commission floated the possibility of a promotion and relegation system with a second division of the Bendigo Football Netball League next season.
Kyneton’s committee has labelled what the commission has put forward as “surprising announcements regarding the change in the BFNL in 2024”.
“We are passionate about our community club and we may have some big decisions to make with the help of our supporters,” the Tigers’ committee stated last week.
“We will assess all the information from the league and develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the potential next steps for the future to ensure the sustainability and longevity of our great club.”
Club president Hayden Evans said the club would hold an Open Information Session at 5.30pm this Friday, August 18, at the football clubrooms and community members were invited along.
“Join us to discuss the recent announcement about football and netball in central Victoria and what it will mean for Kyneton in 2024 and beyond,” Evans said.
COMMISSION SAYS …
The AFL Central Vic Commission says it is interested in obtaining club input on the concept of a new senior football and netball competition.
This follows a meeting on August 6, and subsequent discussions with clubs.
The new competition is being considered to support clubs “who feel that the league they are currently competing in is not aligned to their short and long term goals”.
The commission stated that while clearly at very early stages of development, a new competition would include senior, reserves and thirds football teams and both senior and junior netball teams.
One possible operating model would be a new stand alone competition, perhaps being known as the Central Vic Football League.
Another model could be a second division of the Bendigo Football Netball League, with a promotion and relegation system operating.
The commission stated the Bendigo, Heathcote and Loddon Valley leagues would all continue to operate.
Consistent with the feedback received on August 6, AFL Central Vic would approach clubs currently competing in competitions outside our region, enquiring if there is any interest in participating in a new competition.
Clubs with any questions, or interest in being part of a new league if it is created, are asked to contact AFL Central Vic region manager Craig Armistead.
BFNL BOARD ‘DISAPPOINTED’
The importance of football and netball enthusiasts attending this Friday evening’s meeting at the Kyneton Showgrounds cannot be over emphasized, in light of a media statement issued by the Bendigo Football Netball League following its board meeting earlier this week.
The BFNL board was highly critical of the AFL Central Victoria Commission’s recent actions.
It is “disappointed at the lack of communication, consultation and engagement with relevant leagues.”
BFNL board chair, Professor Carol McKinstry, said the league did not support or understand what a second division of the BFNL competition would entail … but was keen to find out more on what was being proposed.
The BFNL said it was also disappointed at the apparent lack of acknowledgement towards netball in the limited communication (by the commission) as the BFNL regards netball as having equal importance to football.
“Furthermore, we are concerned that three of our affiliated clubs have been identified publicly and have been directly targeted regarding interest in a possible new league,” McKinstry said.
Sources believe Kyneton, Castlemaine and Maryborough are the three clubs referred to.
“All 10 clubs that are affiliated with the BFNL are highly valued by the league and we have provided support in various forms over a long period where possible,” McKinstry said.
“The clubs involved in these meetings are run by volunteers and having these discussions while preparing for finals and planning for the 2024 season is an unnecessary burden.
“We would urge the AFLCV Commission to meet with the relevant leagues and develop a process with agreed principles to guide collaborative future planning.”
Interested people who cannot attending the 5.30pm meeting this Friday at the Showgrounds are urged to put their views in writing in advance, to help the Tigers in their considerations.
