Nyora’s EDFL wish granted in review
Nyora have been granted their wish to remain in the Ellinbank District Football League after the Gippsland senior football leagues review committee’s final recommendations were formally accepted by the AFL Gippsland Region Commission.
Nyora Football Club president Peter Levey said the decision was a great result for the club.
“I’m just happy that they looked at our submission in a favourable manner,” he said. “It’s logical. “Our submission entertained the problems we were going to have if we were to go to Alberton and the fact it was looked at in a positive light is fantastic.”
The newly formed West Gippsland Football Netball Competition will feature nine clubs in its first season, with Inverloch-Kongwak replacing Korumburra-Bena in the final make-up, although the Giants are expected to appeal that decision.
The Giants have been slated to remain in the Alberton Football Netball League following the final recommendations, with the club keen on competing in the West Gippsland competition.
The Gazette understands the Giants were hopeful of attracting former players currently at Leongatha back to the club, with that scenario unlikely to eventuate should the club remain in the Alberton competition.
The review was initiated by AFL Gippsland in March last year and included an extensive research and consultation process.
AFL Gippsland region general manager Travis Switzer said the response to the new structure had been extremely positive.
“The vast majority of anecdotal evidence we have had so far has been about the potential of competitive balance across the region and there is a real buzz about the new league,” he said.
“Korumburra-Bena have made no secret of their desire to play in the West Gippsland competition but the Commission felt at this point in time the club was more suited to the Alberton Football Netball League.
“We have said from day one that we preferred league structures to be fluid in terms of their member clubs, so the door remains open for Korumburra-Bena to move west in future.”
Ten clubs provided submissions in response to the initial recommendations, but with so few changes the independent review committee felt it had been close to the mark.
“Because this review is very important to the future of football netball clubs in Gippsland the process has been very rigorous,” Switzer said.
“There is no doubt that some of the decisions made have been difficult but the commission has been determined to make decisions that are best for the entire region.
“In our early consultations Nyora showed some interest in changing leagues, but since the release of our draft recommendations it became clear a move to the Alberton League was not in the best interests of the club.”
The other notable submission came from Inverloch-Kongwak, which requested consideration for the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
“We looked at a range of possibilities but after further consultation and reviewing the data again swapping Korumburra-Bena and Inverloch-Kongwak was the commission’s decision,” Switzer said.
Clubs and leagues have until tomorrow to appeal against the recommendations.