League won’t play ball

 

July 7 2010

Shepparton News

Goulburn North East Football Association president Frank Trimboli said he would not sanction Cobram's proposed meeting between clubs and the league.

The meeting - to be held Monday night in Shepparton - is intended by Cobram to spark debate over problems clubs may have with the current administration.

Cobram president Roy Boncaldo said no agenda had been set, but The News could confirm the meeting would propose - among other matters - monthly meetings between clubs and the league, shortening the tenure of GNEFA board members to 12 months, reducing the amount of byes in the schedule and would contain a general discussion about the running of the league.

"We're not doing anything behind the league's back or anything like that," Boncaldo said.

"It's all out in the open, we've got nothing to hide, there are just a few points we want to put across to the league.

"We're hoping the league will come along with the rest of the clubs, so we can have discussion and see what everyone has to say about how the league is run."

Boncaldo denied the meeting was in any related the current ineligible player saga that has engulfed the competition in recent weeks.

He also denied the meeting would seek to remove any member of the current of administration.

"There are clubs out there that we know are complaining and this is their chance to all get together to have their say. Anything could happen, but we are not holding this meeting to make anybody step down and we're not even going to bring that up," he said.

But Trimboli will not attend nor endorse the meeting, saying the league has already organised a club delegates meeting later this month.

His main concern is with clubs trying to assert undue influence over the administration.

"You've got a board there; we've been democratically elected, so leave us to run it (the competition)," he said.

"We've got a twoyear term to run, so that's it. If things don't go their (a club or clubs) way they sulk and want to start overseeing everything we do and that's not right.

"Our AGM (Annual General Meeting) is in November and all positions will become vacant and they can elect a new board, simple as that.

"Let's utilise the process and not interfere now, especially that the season's nearly over.

"I've got no problem with standing down and letting someone else take over, not a problem whatsoever and I don't think the other board members do either."

Trimboli yesterday sent the clubs an email detailing the league's stance on each item listed on Cobram's agenda for Monday's meeting. He also highlighted multiple recent achievements of the administration.

"The other associations in the region are having problems but when they look at us, they feel we're running a great competition," he said,

"So I think the clubs take for granted what they've got and what we've delivered over the years."