THE AFL is bunkering down for the financial fallout from COVID-19.
A sensible business decision given the uncertainty facing the industry across the board.
The restructure by CEO Gillon McLachlan saw a number of senior executives dumped and others promoted to new roles.
Former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was one of the winners, elevated to Head of AFL Victoria.
There is no questioning Scott’s football credentials, premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and senior AFL coach.
But this is a senior administrative role, leading a team of people in one of the most difficult times sporting organisations have seen.
Without being disrespectful, I have to ask what experience does he have running a multi-layered business? To me it’s just another knee-jerk reaction by an organisation which has lost its way.
AFL Victoria at the moment is an organisation lacking direction and an understanding of its role.
The “one glove fits all approach” taken by AFL Victoria does not work.
Every community football and netball league across the state has different needs.
AFL Victoria has ignored this important point and ploughed ahead with a model which is all encompassing, but does not consider the needs of each region.
You only have to look at Sunraysia to realise we are different to North-East Victoria and the Central Highlands. Our geographical location alone makes us unique and facing different challenges.
AFL Victoria has tried and failed to implement its Regional Administration Centre (RAC) model in this region, much to its frustration, but still continues to push the issue.
When is it going to get the message, the SFNL, MFL and their clubs, aren’t interested in going down the path other leagues have with the RAC, and for good reason.
It’s a flawed model and the only winner is AFL Victoria through the management fees it charges.
AFL Victoria it is quick to remind everyone it is a not-for-profit organisation and doesn’t stockpile cash for a rainy day, but not-for-profit or not, it is still a business and need to be operated profitably.
Not having a business model in place to manage through a downturn in revenue, is poor business practice and put simply, just plain bad management.
How can an organisation in an isolated area of Victoria like the SFNL, operating within communities devastated by drought and other economic challenges, and now COVID, still be sustainable and relevant?
We need to remind the AFL hierarchy that the game doesn’t exist without community football and netball, without strong community clubs and without volunteers.
Unfortunately for AFL Victoria, its best interests and what is best for country football, now seem on a collision course, with leagues starting to come together to question its decision-making.
Telling people how great you are and how much you contribute to the game, won’t cut it anymore with people in the bush.
Football and netball clubs in the country are sick of the spin and if AFL Victoria wants to continue to represent community football, it needs to get its act together.
At the moment, leadership is lacking, which begs the question as to why the Victorian Country Football League came over in the first place to AFL Victoria?
