THE AFL Wimmera-Mallee’s working party will hand down its findings from the future directions report looking at the viability of football and netball clubs in the region in the coming weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The commission met with all 20 clubs that make up the Wimmera and Horsham District leagues earlier in the year, discussing the concerns and issues clubs are faced with.
Issues such as volunteer workload, declining populations and player numbers and creating even competitions were some of the issues discussed.
Rupanyup Football Netball Club president Rodney Weidemann said the process of working with the commission was a positive one with constructive discussions surrounding the club’s future.
“It was good meeting with Bruce Petering (AFL Victoria regional manager) and there were plenty of positives for him to know what’s going on with all the clubs,” Mr Weidemann said.
“It’s good for them to know what we are going through.”
Mr Weidemann said he hoped the report would look at improving the junior systems in the leagues.
“I’m hoping to see a fair bit to do with the juniors in the report, I think that’s important for everyone,” he said.
“Junior numbers are important for all clubs and we want to see an even competition in the junior grades. Hopefully there is also some help to do with volunteers about lessening the burden on volunteers work wise.”
Jeparit-Rainbow Football Netball Club president Jason Hutson said his club were concerned about what their future looked like five years down the track.
“It’s different for each club but we are hoping to see an even competition,” he said.
“We were able to have our individual say with the commission, which was great. AFL Wimmera-Mallee is trying to do the best for the clubs and keep us all going.
“The biggest thing for us is what we look like in five years time. We are fairly strong at this stage but who knows what’s around the corner. Our junior football and netball numbers are a fairly big issue at the moment and it’s hard with our location.”
Mr Weidemann said declining population numbers had made it tough for clubs to find enough players.
“The whole population numbers is the issue and we need more people – there’s no perfect fix but the last thing we want is for clubs to be folding,” he said.