By Marcus Uhe
Discussions are underway at the Outer East Football and Netball League board level in relation to conducting a complete review of competition structures and other associated matters for season 2024 and beyond.
It comes after the Yea Tigers threw a late curveball at adminstrators, after they were forced to withdraw from Division Two in the senior men’s 2023 football season last week due to having insufficient player numbers.
“The Yea Football Netball Club would like to publicly announce, that depsite our best efforts this year to attract football players and rebuild our playing group, we have had little luck,” the club said in a statement last week.
“As a result we were unable to field or submit any football teams to the OEFNL for the upcoming 2023 season.”
The Tigers will be replaced by Yarra Glen, who requested a move down from Division One for both their senior football and netball programs.
Yarra Glen President Vincent Erickson said the request was made on the back of numbers for football “severely struggling”, and that the proposal to move divisions was supported at club committee level, following consultation with football and netball playing groups.
“After meeting with the footballers last Tuesday 16 March and a poll of them over the weekend, it was clear that the football side of the club would much prefer to play in Division Two,” Erickson said on Wednesday 22 March.
“Our netballers also held a poll and discussions, with the main consensus there being that they were happy to go down to Division Two if it meant our football could survive.
“Before our meeting last night, we received correspondence from the league that due to Yea’s decision not to field any football sides for 2023, that there would be a spot for us in Division Two.
“At our (committee) meeting, both the football manager and netball manager presented the results and overall findings among the respective playing groups to the committee and with a vote, the committee unanimously voted 13-0 in favour of applying to go down to Division Two.”
Division One clubs will now have a bye in the 2023 season due to the odd number of teams as the fixture undergoes an alteration ahead of round one on 15 April.
Division One will now field seven teams, while Pivision two and Premier will remain at six and nine, respectively.
Yea’s senior netball team will compete in Division One, filling the vacancy created 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,” Outer East Football Netball Chief Executive Brett Connell said.
“Other fixturing options will also be considered to assist with the extra travel for both existing Division One clubs and Yea.
“These will also be confirmed following consultation with all Division One clubs.”
Further details of the competition review will be forthcoming once finalised, Connell said.
“In closing, while disappointed we must advise of these changes, we firmly believe that this option will minimise the impact structurally on both Division One and Division Two, with a focus overall on the long-term club sustainability of clubs across both divisions.
“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 the field with senior football teams in 2024.”
While Yea’s senior football season will not go ahead in 2023, the club called on the community to rally behind their netball and junior football programs, who need the support “now more than ever.”
“It is imperative that we keep this family football netball club running for years to come, so our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to experience the same community spirit and divine sportsmanship that we all have as young people and adults,” the club said in a statement.
“We are now reaching out to the community and asking for help in any way possible, whether it be watching our teams play, volunteering on game days, purchasing a membership/merchandise or attending a social function.
“Without the support of local communities, small town football clubs such as the Yea Football Netball Club struggle to thrive and every little bit really does help.”
