AFTER protracted negotiations, the Black Diamond AFL (BDAFL), AFL NSW/ACT and AFL Hunter Coast have finally “approved in principle” a new governance model that will align both seniors and juniors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Currently, the Black Diamond AFL ran senior football in the region, with AFL Hunter Coast supervising junior football.
However, under the new model a single seven-man Board made up of AFL NSW/ACT representatives and members, elected by both the senior and junior clubs, will govern football in the region, including Muswellbrook and Singleton.
It will see much-needed increase in resourcing with a community football manager role overseeing implementation of competition strategy, junior/senior alignment, club development, club education, league commercials, umpiring and football operations.
In addition to this new position, both operations roles will increase from part-time to full-time, while a part-time media support person will also be engaged.
The current AFL NSW/ACT umpiring and development staff will also remain.
It is also expected that this new model will provide clubs with much needed Affiliation Fee relief.
The league will utilise AFL branding, and have regional naming, which will apply to both junior and senior competitions.
For the avoidance of doubt, this relates to the name and logo of the league entity only, with Black Diamond to remain in the name of senior competitions.
The next steps include members of both the Black Diamond AFL and AFL Hunter Coast voting to accept the proposal following which the new league will be established.
BDAFL president Wal Bembic was pleased with the outcome.
“The Black Diamond AFL have always stated that a single governance model is important for the continued development of AFL in this region,” he said.
“In saying that however, the Black Diamond AFL is very strong and independent in its own right and the Board had a responsibility to its members to ensure that any new model would not negatively affect them or the competitions.
“I would also like to thank the AFL NSW/ACT and AFL Hunter Coast on the manner in which the negotiations were handled and look forward to the start of the new league and, more importantly, being able to focus again on the 2018 football season.”
