Three meetings in the next week will determine whether the Bellarine Football Netball League will expand beyond its current 10-team competition for the 2025 season.
Following the AFL Barwon Commission’s meeting on Tuesday to finalise its review of the applications from the Surf Coast Suns and a so-called mystery 12th club, meetings have been scheduled with both clubs and all BFNL teams.
Region General Manager Ed Wilson confirmed that discussions with the applicants will be held before the meeting with current member clubs, scheduled for next Wednesday.
“Their viewpoint, (and) their perspectives are very important as part of this process,” he said.
“If a new club was to come into the league, that admission, we certainly want to be welcomed and supported by other clubs.
“There’s definitely a piece where their consultation and their involvement is very important.
“We want to be able to go into the meeting with the Bellarine clubs with a complete picture.”
Wilson admits that “this process has taken longer than first anticipated.” Still, he says the Commission is focused on getting the process right to ensure that any additions to BFNL are viable from the beginning.
While the entry of a new club or clubs has been earmarked for as soon as 2025, he says AFL Barwon is happy to wait an extra 12 months.
“The Commission is of the full belief that a club shouldn’t be rushed into the Bellarine League for the matter of 12 earlier months.
“If it means a club waiting 12 months to make sure it’s well set and it’s well prepared for the betterment of the league, then yes.
“But, at the same time, using Surf Coast as an example – and this is well-known publicly – they’ve been turning away top-agers for 19 and under netball for some time now.
“Any delay, as such, then needs to have a pathway forward as to how we try and keep those players at the club.
“It’s very much a balancing act.”
Wilson confirmed the “12th” club is from the AFL Barwon region, which covers the Colac and District Football Netball League.
However, he stopped short of confirming it wasn’t a GDFNL club.
That’s despite league president Neville Whitley telling K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast he had contacted all 12 clubs, who told him they weren’t looking at a move.
Wilson says the interested club wants to know if their application is viable before telling their current league.
“We understand a significant number of people in the community who want to know what club it is, and rightly so,” he said.
“But, we can assure you that no decisions will be made without consultation with the Bellarine clubs as to the 12th club.
“And, at the same time, respecting the process this club is a part of, and wanting to have their application reviewed.
“Then, for them to have the opportunity to inform their league board accordingly.”
Wilson also put to bed rumours circulating in local football circles there is no 12th club.
“I can appreciate that perspective from the community considering the confidential nature at this time,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to sharing more information as soon as we can, in line with us respecting the request of the club at this time.
“I 100 per cent appreciate that perception from the community from some that ‘is there a 12th application?’
“I can certainly guarantee and assure you there is.”
X: @krockfootball
