The Western Region Football League will return to a ten-team Division One competition in season 2016 after the league’s Board confirmed that there would be no relegation from the top tier at the conclusion of 2015.
The decision comes after the demotion of 2014 Division Two premiers Parkside, who were relegated to Division Three due to a lack of playing numbers at the start of the season.
While the Board is committed to upholding automatic promotion and relegation to all senior competition levels, the league’s By-Laws outline that relegation and promotion will be upheld unless there is sound reasons for any variation.
The exceptional circumstances of Parkside’s demotion earlier this season resulted in only a nine-team Division One competition, with each team having two bye rounds.
WRFL General Manager Football Operations Dave Newton said that the verdict will ensure that all teams in the top grade of senior competition will play every week.
“The main reason for the resolution was to restore the Division One competition to a full complement of ten-clubs in accordance with our By-Law 2.1.1,” he said.
“While the feedback from our clubs in regards to the bye hasn’t been negative, it was always our intention to revert back to a ten-team competition structure, where everyone will play each other twice.”
Regular promotion and relegation will apply for clubs in Division Two and Three following the 2015 finals series, with the premiers of the Division Two competition promoted to Division One in 2016.
The decision also ensures that there will be no relegation of the last placed club from Division One.
“Now that the decision has been made, it has provided certainty for clubs in the lower portion of the Division One ladder and those in contention for the Division Two and Division Three premiership to plan accordingly for the future,” Newton said.
Last Modified on 10/06/2015 15:33