Sport
Ardmona remains in recess, Kyabram District League concludes grand final brawl investigation
Ardmona Football Netball Club will spend a second straight season in recess after it confirmed on Thursday it would not return to Kyabram District League in 2023.
The club entered recess on the eve of the 2022 season, citing the impact COVID-19 had on volunteer and player numbers as the major reason behind the decision.
As part of its initial announcement in March, Ardmona committed to returning to the field and court in 2023, but missed the deadline set by the league to register its return for the upcoming season.
Taking to social media to break the news to its supporters, the club explained the reasons behind again sitting out in 2023.
“The committee is very appreciative to the few offers of help that we have received in the last few weeks, however we will be unable to form a committee with the few numbers we have,” the statement read.
“The committee has struggled to find willing volunteers to run the club as well as coaching staff and players.
“COVID-19 hurt the club deeply with the loss of momentum we had at the beginning of the 2020 season. Sponsorships had to be returned and restrictions impacted our coaching staff and players.
“Plans to improve our ground and equipment were lost with overheads still needing to be paid and no income coming in.”
Despite suffering another major blow, the club still remains committed to returning to the field, with attention now shifting to 2024 and beyond.
The Ardmona announcement capped a busy week for the league, which on Tuesday released its findings into the brawl that occurred following the 2022 grand final at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
Some seven weeks after the incident which marred Lancaster’s 10-point triumph over Murchison-Toolamba, the league announced its findings through a social media post on Tuesday afternoon.
The statement said all proceedings were now in the hands of the AFL Goulburn Murray Independent Tribunal — while police would also be getting involved.
“The KDL Executive Committee wishes to advise the League Investigation of the incident that marred the post-game celebrations at our 2022 KDL Grand Final has concluded,” the statement read.
“The investigation has resulted in several players and spectators being referred to the AFL Goulburn Murray Independent Tribunal.
“We are in the process of having those matters being heard by the tribunal with another incident being referred to the police.”
The league also took the opportunity to review its own practices and how it could provide a safer environment at finals matches in the future.
“The KDL Executive Committee have undertaken an internal review of our finals series operations and will work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure these outcomes are implemented prior to the commencement of the 2023 season,” the statement said.