Bold independent move for Sunraysia and Millewa leagues

INDEPENDENCE is a great thing and the local football and netball fraternity in this region is benefitting from the SFNL and MFL’s decision to reject joining AFL Victoria’s Regional Adminstration Centre (RAC).

For years there has been a strong push from head office and the AFL Sunraysia Commission to become part of the RAC.

But the current boards of both leagues and their predecessors have overwhelmingly rejected the offer, preferring to go it alone and control their own destiny.

That decision in the current environment could prove defining for football and netball in this region as plans continue for a possible start date to the season.

Up until this point, both leagues have remained pretty tight-lipped, preferring to work behind the scenes with club presidents to formulate a plan moving forward.

• Sunraysia Football Netball League says ‘no fans, no play’

Had the SFNL and MFL not retained their independence and become part of the RAC, they would be taking their direction from AFL Victoria.

Sunraysia is unique and what works in other parts of the state doesn’t necessarily work for our local competitions.

You only have to look at what has happened in Gippsland to realise the RAC has not achieved what it was intended to do.

In theory, the concept has great merit, but for whatever reason, it has not been successful and left many leagues who have joined it financially disadvantaged and also incumbent to AFL Victoria and their decision-making.

But never more so than now has the SFNL and MFL’s independence been more prevalent as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

• SFNL pulls out of ‘hijacked’ Sunraysia strategic plan

Big decisions will need to be made in the coming weeks if the government decides to relax social distancing laws, allowing community sport to restart.

AFL Victoria has already indicated it is hoping football competitions will be back up and running sometime in June if on May 11 the State Government downgrades its social distancing laws.

For many people that is great news, but while we all want football and netball back, it may not be as practical or viable as that with AFL Victoria indicating matches may initially have to go ahead with no spectators.

Playing in front of no crowds will mean club’s will be financially ravaged and the long-term effects could be disastrous, which is why the SFNL board has made it very clear that unless there are no restrictions on the number of people who can attend games they will not go ahead with the season.

• Irymple president: Footy and netball a ‘social right’

This is a sensible and practical approach and while not everyone will agree with it, it has been done in consultation with all the clubs and vested parties.

The SFNL is aware players are desperate to get back out on the field, but community football and netball is much more than just about the players, it’s about the members, the volunteers and everyone else who is involved at each club.

How do you tell a former player or lifelong supporter of a club they’re not allow to watch their team on a Saturday afternoon.

It’s these people who make country footy and netball clubs what they are and while I’m desperate for the season to start, I think the decision the SFNL have made not to proceed unless their is no restrictions on the number of people who can attend is a very sensible and practical one.

As much as I hate to say it, maybe we just need to draw a line in the sand and start working towards 2021. It’s not what anyone wants to hear, but it is probably the most practical and sensible approach given the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic.