By Nick Creely
It’s official: the Beaconsfield Football Club has joined the Eastern Football Netball League for season 2022, with the Eagles’ transfer across from the Outer East Football Netball League confirmed on Thursday.
After a strong majority vote at the league’s recent SGM, which saw the Eagles voted in by clubs with 87 per cent in favour of the move, AFL Victoria ticked off the massive transfer last week with the Eagles to becoming Eastern’s 47th senior club.
After a strong 2021 season, which saw the Eagles go through undefeated and clinch the minor premiership under master coach Mick Fogarty, the club will compete in Division One in 2022, making it a 10-team competition.
The Eagles have become the second club from Outer East after their great rivals, Berwick last season, to cross over to the Eastern Football Netball League as football across the region continues to seeing sweeping changes.
It has been confirmed that the Eagles will field senior women’s, senior men’s, reserves and under 19s, with the netball club to remain in Outer East, however the two clubs are working closely to ensure they maintain a strong and thriving relationship moving forward.
The Eagles have won 10 flags in their history, with the last coming in 2014 and are regarded as one of the most powerful destination clubs anywhere in the south-east with its facilities at Holm Park seen as a massive drawcard for talented male and female footballers.
Beaconsfield president Troy Robinson issued a statement last Wednesday explaining that the move for his club to the Eastern league was based on a range of factors.
“Over recent months the Beaconsfield Football Club has reviewed our strategic position within the current football competition of AFLOE,“ Robinson said.
“Our review included the number of times we have moved leagues, the level of competition and the competition balance between the Under 19s through to the seniors.
“We have reviewed the best possible solution to ensure we can commit to this obligation whilst ensuring our club becomes stronger, more resilient to the adapting changes and the ability to set pathways for the players to pursue.
“We now look forward to a long and healthy competition (in the Eastern Football Netball League).“
Robinson said there was still work to be done to ensure the Netball Club continues to work diligently and maintain a relationship with the Football Club into the future.
“(We) would also like to ensure that the long-term survival of the Beaconsfield Netball Club remains strong and competitive and supported by the Football Club as a result of these changes,“ Robinson said.
“A delegation from both the football club and netball club are working closely to ensure this is a high priority.“
