General News
10 November, 2023
'Confidential' bid with commission
By CHRIS EARL MYSTERY surrounds Bendigo Football League accepting an under 18 side yet to play a game into its 2024 competition. League chair Carol McKinistry on Tuesday said no statement would be made on the move Loddon Valley club Maiden Gully...
By CHRIS EARL
MYSTERY surrounds Bendigo Football League accepting an under 18 side yet to play a game into its 2024 competition.
League chair Carol McKinistry on Tuesday said no statement would be made on the move Loddon Valley club Maiden Gully.
“There are quite a few sensitivities and we’re not in a position to comment. Our approach is always to give them confidentiality,” she said from Brisbane Airport after returning from overseas.
Paperwork for Maiden Gully to be part of the Bendigo competition was lodged with AFL Central Victoria by the October 31 club movement deadline.
Lodgement came days after Bendigo league general manager Cameron Tomlins was appointed AFL Central Victoria interim region manager following the resignation of Craig Armstead.
Tomlins said: “I am not in a position at this moment to comment on any matters possibly requiring AFL Central Victoria commission consideration.”
The Loddon Herald has been told an appeal against Bendigo’s decision was lodged by Loddon Valley last week.
While the Eagles application is only for an under 18 side, there has been speculation that the Loddon Valley league club may make a push to take all football and netball sides into the major Bendigo league within five years.
The Eagles had announced their Bendigo junior move only for the online post to be removed within three hours.
Like the Bendigo league, Maiden Gully has since been silent on plans for 2024.
Maiden Gully has stood out of local under 18 football - Loddon Valley and then the short-lived AFL Central Victoria competition this year - for two seasons but cited junior pathways for an unsuccessful second attempt at membership of the Heathcote league.
It has appointed Josh Worsley as 2024 under 18 coach with Ryan Spokes as assistant. The club has an information day on Sunday.
It is understood neither Maiden Gully nor the Bendigo league has had discussions with Loddon Valley.
McKinistry said Bendigo would have its annual strategic plan review this month and that there had been talks “in the past few years” with clubs interested in joining the Bendigo league.
She said there was regular informal dialogue with major league networks.
McKinistry was critical of AFL Central Victoria in August when league officials, including Bendigo and Loddon Valley, were excluded from a think tank discussing future structure of football in the region.
Bendigo league runs four senior grades of netball but only a 17 and under competition compared with three junior levels in Loddon Valley.
Any wait in AFL Central Victoria adjudicating the Loddon Valley appeal may delay preparation of the local league’s 2024 draw.
Meanwhile, clubs across the region are preparing for their first training runs over the next fortnight.