The Camden Haven area, located between Port Macquarie and Taree, is a high growth residential area and has had a junior AFL club playing in the MNC junior competition for 7 years. The junior club has had some success making a number of Grand Finals and winning a few premierships.

The Bombers have had a number of players graduate from junior footy and go onto play Under 18's and senior footy for the Port Macquarie Magpies. With quite a few more players finishing their time with the MNC juniors last year, the Camden Haven committee forwarded the proposal to the Board to join the Under 18 competition. The board acknowledges the role of the Port Macquarie club in the development of AFL in the Mid North Coast which has assisted Camden Haven to reach this position.

Although the Board acknowledges that the timing of the proposal and short lead time into the season may create some challenges, it will work hand in hand with the Senior Administration Committee and all clubs to ensure a successful integration of the Camden Haven team.

Competition Operations Mangaer Matt Crawley will be working hard to get the senior and reserve grade draws out ASAP. The Under 18's draw may take slightly more time, not because of the Bombers but as the Nambucca Lions have not committed 100% to having an Under 18's team and Grafton are also trying to organise a team for this competition  and if all this were to come off, it would leave the AFLNC with the strongest base for growth in many years.

As the MNC and NC junior competitions continue to develop and grow, the natural progression is for the AFLNC senior competition to expand as well. In order to do this existing clubs will need to be a little flexible and understanding with draws and other issues, for the betterment of all involved in our great game in the long term.

The Senior Administration Committee and AFL North Coast Board understands the importance of clubs having all players available at the one venue and this will remain a priority when doing the fixture.　 Having said this, depending on what teams we end up with in the Under 18’s draw in the 2012 season, there is likely to be a couple of occasions for each club where this will not be possible and the Under 18 game will have to be played either at a different venue or a different time, i.e. not at 11am on Saturday morning. 　

The Senior Administration Committee will be conducting a Club Delegates meeting in the near future to discuss the season ahead.