Alteration to the 2023 Division 1 & 2 Competition Structures

Outer East Football Netball wish to provide the following update on the competition structures for Division One and Division Two for season 2023

 

Throughout the preseason, the Yea FNC and Outer East Football & Netball have been working together to explore all options for the Yea FNC to field senior football teams in 2023.

Despite their best-efforts, Yea FNC have advised Outer East Football & Netball that they will not be fielding senior men’s football teams in 2023.

 

More recently, discussions have been held with Yarra Glen FNC in relation to their position in a senior football sense, as they had been experiencing low numbers of footballers on the back of the September 2022 floods, rendering their off-field club facilities unusable for the majority of the first half of the season.

Due to this fact Yarra Glen FNC requested a move from Division 1 to Division 2 for season 2023. This move will involve both senior football and netball programs.

The Yarra Glen FNC’s request has been approved by the Outer East Football & Netball Board and Yarra Glen FNC will fill the position Yea FNC occupied in the Division 2 fixture for the 2023 season.

 

The transfer of Yarra Glen FNC from Division 1 to Division 2 for the 2023 season now leaves a bye in Division 1.

From a football perspective this means, Yarra Glen FNC will replace Yea FNC in the Division 2 fixture. In Division 1, a slight fixture change will need to occur to fill the place of Yarra Glen in the Football fixture. This alteration will be confirmed once we have consulted all the Division 1 clubs.

 

From a netball perspective this means Yarra Glen will now field 5 grades of netball in 2023 being A, B, C, D along with 17&U in Division Two. Yea’s Netball teams will play in Division 1, filling the fixture slot left by Yarra Glen. This allows all their Netball teams to remain together on a Saturday, which is important in keeping the club moving forward toward 2024 and beyond. Other fixturing options will also be considered to assist with the extra travel for both existing Division 1 clubs and Yea. These will also be confirmed following consultation with all Division 1 clubs.

 

The Outer East Football & Netball Board, in considering the Yarra Glen FNC application and the Yea FNC advice, have begun discussions in relation to conducting a complete review of our competition structures and other associated matters for season 2024 and beyond.

Further details of the review will be forthcoming once finalised.

 

Outer East Football & Netball have committed to support Yea FNC and will work closely with the club to put in place plans to return to field with senior football teams in 2024.

 

In closing while disappointed we must advise of these changes, we firmly believe that this option will minimise the impact structurally on both Division 1 and Division 2, with a focus overall on the long-term club sustainability of clubs across both divisions.

 

Regards,

Brett Connell

Outer East Football & Netball

Chief Executive Officer