AFL Yarra Ranges Review

FUTURE DIRECTION OF FOOTBALL & NETBALL DOCUMENT RELEASED

 

The AFL Yarra Ranges Commission has handed down its final report of the Football and Netball Future Directions Review.

 

The review, which began in June 2017, is consistent with the Commission’s strategic direction of managing the future of football in the region.

 

The review had clear aims to identify the best long-term structure of football and netball in the AFL Yarra Ranges region. The principle areas of the AFL Yarra Ranges Review were as follows:

 

• League Structure Senior. (Divisional Options)
• Northern and Southern Region Structure.
• Junior Structure- Male and Female.

 

Other key considerations of this review were:

 

• To provide competition structures that allow for entry levels for new clubs and provide optimum competitive balance for existing clubs.
• The structure of umpiring, netball, female football, facilities, and volunteers.
• Talent and representative programs.

 

A key focus was examining the sustainability and viability of the current competitions in the AFL Yarra Ranges Commission. This review provides recommendations of for the future of all competitions in the region, focusing specifically on long term sustainability.

AFL Yarra Ranges Chairman Tony Mitchell acknowledged the amount of hours, meetings and overall work which has gone into this project.

 

“This has been a major undertaking of the Commission over the past 12 months” he said.

 

“The project commenced with a survey of all stakeholders last year which provided some valuable insights and data to set the ball rolling and provide some initial discussions.”

 

“There has been a real focus on discussions with clubs driving this project and the direction and the approach that was taken.”

 

“The introduction of seven new clubs is exciting for the region and provides three senior divisions in 2019 7 beyond”

 

From 2019 the Commission will be known as AFL Outer East, with the senior competitions known as Outer East Football Netball and the Juniors known as Outer East Juniors.

 

“The change to AFL Outer East is designed to reflect the broad region the commission now covers and the various councils, including Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Casey and Murrindindi.” Mitchell said.

 

This project will drive the direction of football in our region long term and sets clear, aspirational targets of progression moving forward according to Mr Mitchell.

 

“As well as the recommendations a key outcome from this project is identifying key areas the Commission must address in the future. The structure in the North of the region and the long-term sustainability of our clubs and the best interests of the game is vital moving forward.  These are conversations that need to continue to evolve into the future.”

 

Mitchell believes this project is crucial in setting the direction of all competitions in both Men’s, boys, women’s and girls football

 

“2019 will see us develop our strategic plan for 2019-2023. The future directions of football document will drive where we are as a region will strive to be by 2023. The foundations of this have been set, however there is much to do in ensuring that the changes implemented are successful and facilitate providing club sustainability, competition stability and overall growth within our region”

 

“It is crucial we continue to engage with our stakeholders in this process and ensure that the voices of our clubs are heard, we might not always agree, however we do listen to concerns and options we may have missed”

 

Mitchell also thanked the review committee for their contribution in delivering what is a comprehensive plan for football and Netball in the region

 

“Region General Manager Aaron Bailey and the review committee should be commended on what they have delivered here. This has been a significant undertaking, with over 40 meetings with clubs and key stakeholders required during the process.

 

 

Files:AFL_Outer_East_Future_Direction_of_Football_Recommendations.pdf4.5 M