2014-15 North West Structural Review FINAL RECOMMENDATION
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2014-15 North West Structural Review FINAL RECOMMENDATION REPORT Prepared by: AFL Central Victoria AFL Central Murray AFL Wimmera Mallee Created: June 2015 Version: A Table of Contents Project Glossary……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6 Key General Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Overview of Stakeholder Feedback……………………………………………………………………………….10 Governing Panel Overview……………………………………………………………………………………………10 Final Recommendations Immediate-2016 ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 General - Immediate……………………………………………………………………………………………13 Future Recommendations (Implemented on or before the 2018 Season)………… 15 Commission Priorities………………………………………………………………………………………… 16 Appendices 1. Overage Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17 2. Equalisation Policy………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 3. AFL Junior Football Match Guide………………………………………………………………... 20 4. Club Minimum Standards Criteria………………………………………………………………. 21 2 NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW| Final Recommendation Report Project Glossary AFL Central Victoria - AFL CV AFL Central Murray - AFL CM AFL Wimmera Mallee - AFL WM AFL Victoria - AFLV Mallee Football League - MFL Horsham District Football & Netball League - HDF&NL Golden Rivers Football League - GRFL Central Murray Football & Netball League - CMF&NL Wimmera Football League - WFL North Central Football League - NCFL Sunraysia Football & Netball league - SF&NL Millewa FL - MillFL Umpiring Associations as appropriate Final Recommendation Report | NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW 3 Introduction The North West Structural Review Panel (the Panel) advises that it has concluded the 2014/15 North West Structural Review. Consultation with the Clubs and Leagues was extensive with open and honest discussions forming the basis of the preliminary recommendations presented previously. The Panel has now established final recommendations that follow later in this document. PROJECT SCOPE STATEMENT: The 2014-15 NWSR is commissioned to establish qualitative and quantitative data to form the basis on which recommendations for the optimal structure of football competitions in North Western Victoria for season 2016 and beyond. A Review Panel, appointed by AFL Central Victoria, AFL Central Murray & AFL Wimmera Mallee Management, will manage the review with scope that shall extend to interviews, consultation and subsequent recommendations with all stakeholders referred to within this document. AFL Sunraysia will be consulted and approval sought for any recommendations concerning their region. Following the completion of the consultations and analysis of the data obtained, preliminary recommendations will be established and presented to the various stakeholders for feedback. Final recommendations will then be established for the consideration by each Governing body’s board/Commission. Recommendations approved by each Board/Commission shall be expected to be implemented for season 2016 with adherence to each body’s Rules and Regulations. Time Line Draft Report 30th April 2015 Stakeholder feedback 29th May 2015 Final Report 30th June 2015 PROJECT BACKGROUND and RATIONALE: The structure of community football competitions in the North West of Victoria has been the subject of general discussion for a number of years. The short term viability of clubs is at risk under the current structure. At present there is a great deal of perceived uncertainty within the footballing community in the North West of Victoria, with the majority of this centered on the Mallee Football League. Additional to this uncertainty is the current environment of clubs wishing to move Leagues for the 2015 season in an unmanaged random manner. The three named Commissions therefore have identified the review process to best manage short to longer term structures to achieve the objectives. 4 NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW| Final Recommendation Report PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND DELIVERABLES: To provide a coordinated approach in reviewing all competition structures of Community Football in the North West of Victoria to ascertain the best longer term competition structures that best serve football and the sustainability of clubs and leagues into the future. This project shall provide the three Commissions with qualitative and quantitative statistical data, informed local knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing football in this area to guide the establishment of appropriate recommendations. The following areas will be discussed with each organisation: Database Statistics (football and communities) Competition Structure League Structure/Management Financial (organisations will asked to bring a copy of their audited financials for both 2013 and 2014) Junior Structure Umpires Facilities Volunteers Travel Other General Comments or Suggestions to achieve the optimal structure The Panel initially conducted an online survey to gain preliminary data from clubs which, in turn, directed the consultation process. 82% of clubs completed this survey. The Panel has conducted 67 interviews with clubs, groups and associations involved throughout February and March across the review catchment region within the North West of Victoria. The review covers approximately 30% of the state of Victoria plus 9 affiliated clubs in NSW. The Panel wish to state that opportunity from key personnel from all stakeholders has been offered and in the main taken up by the vast majority. This included every club within the review catchment area. Final Recommendation Report | NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW 5 Overview The preliminary recommendations have taken into consideration the following factors 1. All suggestions/options put forward during the initial survey or interview process a. Including widespread acknowledgement of a i. Need for change for the longer term benefit of football across the region ii. Need to address the inequitable current environment iii. Need to protect the value of Clubs to Communities 2. Demographic statistics of the area, both at club and league level and of the communities within the review area. 3. Participation numbers, trends and penetration for AFL in the region 4. Need for a longer term solution to provide optimal and sustainable junior and senior participation and development in our sport. 5. The need to maintain optimal number of clubs within the region to ensure travel & distance does not become a bigger obstacle on participation 6. Need for an area wide structure to deliver a fluent pathway from Auskick to Senior Football that: a. Provides a high level local quality ‘ football league option within reach of all communities b. Provides a range of competitions to cater for players of a range of talent c. Allows netball to continue to flourish alongside our sport 6 NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW| Final Recommendation Report Key General Findings STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION Overall clubs constantly need to increase resources to either be competitive or just field teams each week. Club feedback indicates such an increase is unsustainable in the short to medium term. Individual resource areas are: 1. Junior Player Number Shortages: under the current Leagues Junior structures, up to 50% of clubs are unable to adequately field the required players within the 2 and/or 3 year age groupings. This shortage results in the requirement of junior players to fill in at a higher age group therefore playing multiple games on the one day or playing “out of their age” expectation as depicted by the AFL’s “Junior Football, This is our game Match Guide”. Many clubs across the region no longer field teams within certain age levels, this trend is increasing which further places the entire club at risk. 2. Senior Player Number Shortages: similar issues to junior, however clubs have the capacity (in most cases) to recruit senior players into their clubs to fill this void. This recruitment has changed over time with clubs continually seeking players from increased distance to maintain their club senior numbers. Some more remote clubs recruitment is stalling regardless of wages & conditions offered, they are simply unable to spend their budgeted player payment allocation. We are still seeing many men aged in the 40’s and in some cases 50’s making up the numbers in reserves. 3. Increased Player Payments: in business terms it is a sellers’ market. Clubs are telling us that this escalation in player payments is unsustainable. 4. Increased cost of doing business: Clubs are continually seeking to raise additional income to combat increased costs, which places an ever increasing financial burden on clubs. 5. Inequitable Playing Field: a. Distribution of players both Senior & Junior b. No or poorly designed equalisation measures (apart from CMFNL & SFL Points System) c. Distance from opponents incurring additional travel d. Distance from major recruiting grounds e. Ability to raise finances f. Ability and/or willingness to pay players g. Facilities 6. Volunteer Burnout: many club representatives said it is all getting too hard and we’re getting tired. 7. Generally netball numbers are strong and participation numbers fit the current structure, many leagues have included additional competitions within their structure over the past few years. Final Recommendation Report | NORTH WEST STRUCTURAL REVIEW 7 DATA ANALYSIS: 8. Demographic data, trends and forecasts all point to the same scenario that population across the review catchment will remain