EDFL, EDNA eye merge for 2022

The Ellinbank and District Football League and Ellinbank and District Netball Association have opened talks on amalgamating for season 2022.

Meeting for the first time to discuss the proposal, both sides talked about the positives and negatives surrounding the decision, with both agreeing there would be more positives to come out of the move.

During the meeting, it was established that a working group would be created consisting of members from both the EDFL and EDNA, as well as three independent people. They will develop process and consult with the league, association and clubs, with a new constitution to be created.

EDFL Football operations manager Ken Moore said there is still a long way to go but was encouraged that the two leagues were able to sit down and discuss the matter.

“Everything does need to be researched and there is a lot of work to go into it, but we found that the positives for both sides outweighed the negatives and it would make us a stronger entity.

“To amalgamate after all these years, it is a really big thing,” he said.

While the move is still in its infancy, EDNA president Karen Porter said when COVID hit it gave the two sides an opportunity to finally sit down together.

“It’s been talked about a lot, but nothing had ever eventuated. With no football or netball, it freed up some time and we were able to get together and discuss it properly,” she said.

Both the EDFL and EDNA will work closely together to find a balance in which both sides benefit from the merge.

“The main thing is looking after the athletes and the pathways there. We want to keep that country feel as well, we have a nice community spirit here,” Ms Porter said.

October 2021 is a target date for the working group to present their process, with the aim that season 2022 will be the first one with two together.

The EDFL and EDNA are both set to kick off their 2021 seasons on April 10.