North Shore is adamant it will be at the start line next month but its position in the 2025 GFNL football season is far from guaranteed.
The local governing body has broken its silence, releasing a statement late Friday indicating it is still assessing North Shore’s ability to meet minimum requirements for fielding teams.
AFL Barwon’s by-law states: “All Clubs must field teams in Senior & Reserve football grades, and all Netball grades from A Grade down.”
AFL Barwon acknowledged North Shore has received a netball exemption for several seasons, which is expected to remain in place, but have ruled out the Seagulls fielding only a senior football team.
After closely monitoring the number situation since December, AFL Barwon asked North Shore in writing on February 13 to meet three requests by February 28 to help the local governing body plan for this year’s competition.
These requirements included written confirmation of North Shore fielding senior and reserve grade teams, completing player registrations for at least 60 players, and contracting a “sufficient number of players” for its senior team.
It is understood the Seagulls had 29 players at training on Thursday night and registrations have improved.
“Whilst this assessment is still taking place and there has been an increase in registrations, there
remains some work to be done regarding North Shore’s ability to field senior and reserve football
teams in 2025,” the statement continued.
“AFL Barwon must take proactive steps to support all clubs and players.
“While every effort is being made by North Shore FNC in establishing a sustainable football program,
the ongoing uncertainty necessitates careful planning to protect the integrity of the competition and the interests of all participating clubs.”
Chair Michelle Gerdtz said AFL Barwon has been reluctant to provide ongoing commentary about North Shore’s position due to “the sensitive and confidential nature of the discussions”.
“Having said that, with sensationalist reports in recent days and overnight of ‘bombshells,’ ‘blindsiding,’ and ‘backflips’ by AFL Barwon, we felt we needed to set the record straight.
“We do have concerns about the ability of NSFNC to field both senior and reserves teams in the GFNL in 2025, and further information is still being provided.
“It was, and still is, our intention to continue discussions with the club to ascertain their list status with five weeks until the season opener.
“However, the club has preferred to let this play out in public, which has meant that maintaining confidentiality was beyond our control.”
North Shore has been contacted for comment.
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