The AFL Goldfields Commission has recognized that across all of the AFL Goldfields affiliated competitions there is a significant variance in the number of junior club registrations, and in some cases this variance is increasing rapidly. This inequity does create difficulties for leagues in creating equitable fixtures, and creates an environment that is not beneficial for increasing participation or creating the best environment for player development. Further, there is a vast variation in current and future demographics in some areas of the region which is expected to increasingly impact on junior competitions.
As a result, the AFL Goldfields Junior Review has been commissioned to investigate the current structure and make recommendations for the optimal structure of the junior football competitions in the AFL Goldfields Region for season 2016 and beyond.
A Junior Review Working Party has been appointed by the AFL Goldfields Commission, and this Working Party will manage the review with scope that shall extend to interviews, consultation and subsequent recommendations with all stakeholders referred to within the Project Brief.
Following the completion of the consultations and analysis of the findings, preliminary recommendations will be established and presented to the various stakeholders for feedback.
Final recommendations will then be established for the consideration by the AFL Goldfields Commission, with any recommendations approved by the Commission expected to be implemented from the commencement of the 2016 season, noting that some recommendations may be flagged for a staged implementation. E.g for 2017 or subsequent years.
The Terms of Reference for this project have been agreed and do include:
- To provide the greatest opportunity to increase and maximize participation in the AFL Goldfields region, with strong player pathways between junior and senior clubs, Auskick Centres and schools.
- To provide the maximum opportunity for junior players to develop their skills and love for Australian Football, and to provide the maximum opportunity for players to develop and play at the highest level possible.
- To ensure that junior teams are fielded in competitions that are as strong and evenly matched as possible, and designed to promote competition equalization.
- That the competitions will be structured to consider the growth demands of local areas and which consider geographic and economic factors, both in the immediate future and in the medium to long term.
- To ensure sufficient stability in playing numbers of junior club teams to enable team spirit and continued support for football to be maintained.
- To ensure the review considers the future financial stability and viability of clubs and leagues, and that any recommendations does factor these considerations into the final recommendation/s.
- To prevent stronger junior clubs from dominating junior competitions at the expense and to the detriment of the weaker clubs from smaller communities.
- Provide clubs with an incentive to expend time, effort and resources in junior development of Australian Football.
- The structure of the various junior netball competitions will be considered as part of the scope of this project.
The AFL Goldfields Junior Review Working Party is meeting Friday 1st May to schedule dates for Club and League Interviews.
AFL Goldfields Regional General Manager Rod Ward said “We look forward to working with all Clubs and Leagues over the course of this Junior Review, and we trust that the input and the collective assistance of all stakeholders will help us achieve a positive outcome for junior football across the region”.
Last Modified on 20/04/2015 11:05