General News
4 August, 2023
BREAKING: New league concept now on table
BREAKING NEWS AFL Central Victoria has this afternoon floated a new competition in 2024 for clubs "who feel that the league they are currently competing in is not aligned to their short and long term goals". General manager Craig Armstead told clubs...
BREAKING NEWS
AFL Central Victoria has this afternoon floated a new competition in 2024 for clubs "who feel that the league they arecurrently competing in is not aligned to their short and long term goals".
General manager Craig Armstead told clubs in the Loddon Valley, Bendigo and Heathcote leagues of the plan for football and netball that had emerged since last Sunday's club summit.
He said: "Following our meeting last Sunday, and subsequent discussions with clubs, the AFL Central VictoriaCommission are interested in obtaining club input on the concept of a new senior football andnetball competition.
"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.
"While clearly at very early stages of development, a new competition would include senior, reservesand thirds football teams and both senior and junior netball teams - exact number of teams to be confirmed.
"One possible operating model would be a new stand-alone competition (e.g., Central Vic Football League) and another model could be a second division of the Bendigo Football Netball League with a
promotion and relegation system operating.
"The BFNL, HDFNL and LVFNL would all continue to operate. Consistent with the feedback received last Sunday, AFL Central Vic would approach clubs currently competing in competitions outside our
region to enquire of interest in participating in a new competition.
"The commission are considering introducing this new competition from the 2024 season."
AFL Central Victoria launched an under 18 competition this year but only Loddon Valley clubs Inglewood, Bridgewater, Marong, East Loddon Rams and the reborn Pyramid Hill have competed after AFL attempts for teams from other leagues or teams with their excess players fell over.
Implementation of the new under 18 competition was surrounded by frustration and annoyance of Loddon Valley clubs as they wait almost until the season's start for confirmation of a draw.
Marong and Maiden Gully have both moved to leave the Loddon Valley league for Heathcote in 2024, citing junior pathways as a reason for the league switch pitch.
EARLIER REPORThttps://www.loddonherald.com.au/sudden-summit-what-footy-clubs-think MORE IN YOUR LOCAL LODDON HERALD OUT ON THURSDAY