The football and netball landscape in the region is on the verge of another major shake-up following reports Picola District Football Netball League may not be affiliated with governing body AFL Victoria for the 2023 season.
The two organisations are at loggerheads over details in the next affiliation agreement which must be signed off and agreed on before tomorrow’s deadline.
The Picola District league and AFL Victoria have been in discussion to try and find a resolution before the deadline.
The league said it was concerned with some of the stipulations in the affiliation agreement.
If an agreement cannot be reached, it will be the second time in five years Picola District league will have lost affiliation status with AFL Victoria.
AFL Goulburn Murray region manager Shaun Connell said the governing body hoped the Picola District league would come around before the deadline.
“The affiliation agreement was up for renewal ... we presented the final affiliation agreement to the Picola league for them to consider and we’re awaiting their answer by Friday’s deadline,” he said.
“There was an indication that the league wouldn’t agree to some of the areas in the new agreement. We’re comfortable that the clubs wish to remain affiliated and now we wait for the league’s decision.
“We want the Picola league to be affiliated and we want the entire league to stay as a collective and we’re hoping that can achieved.”
League operations manager Shane Railton stressed the league wished to be affiliated with the governing body, however, more dialogue had to be had between the two entities.
“Our position is that we do not want to step back from our affiliation with AFL Victoria,” Railton said.
“They (AFL Victoria) have some non-negotiables in the affiliation agreement and those relate to the salary cap and points system ... we’re going to try our best to get an outcome.
“We will continue to explore all opportunities, we won’t close the door on affiliation. If AFL Victoria shuts the door then we’ll work through whatever process we have to.”
If the league does not agree to the new affiliation contract by close of business on Friday, then Connell said the next step would be to discuss the outcome with the league’s clubs.
“That will be in the hands of the clubs if the league wishes to not agree. We’ll be guided by the clubs,” Connell said.
However, the current situation has already impacted one Picola District league club.
Tocumwal was provisionally suspended from the league in October and has been shut off from being involved in any official league meetings — the most recent being a Monday night meeting between the league and its member clubs.
The Bloods were issued a suspension by the league following a meeting with their fellow member clubs about the threat of non-affiliation with AFL Victoria.
The league’s administration was not invited to the meeting, which was initiated by Tocumwal, but was notified that the meeting would take place.
Tocumwal president Matthew Petersen said the club wanted to remain in an affiliated league.
“We are just trying to do what’s best for our club, our players, our volunteers and for our fellow clubs as well,” Petersen said.
“We want to play in a league that is affiliated with AFL Victoria, we feel that’s the best way forward for our club and that it’s important for not just Tocumwal, but for other clubs too.
“The other thing is due to this suspension, we effectively have no voice within the league which is problematic in itself.
“All of this political divide burns out our volunteers, our players and our supporters.”
Despite being on the outer at league level, Petersen said the club enjoyed being a member club of the Picola District league and that discussions between the club and league were ongoing.
He expected the suspension to end “in a short time”.
“From our perspective we very much enjoy playing in the Picola league,” Petersen said.
“The situation (between us) is amicable, but it’s very disappointing that it’s continued for this long. I am confident that it will be resolved by the end of the year and not flow into 2023.”