AFLNEB 2016-2018 Regional Review

Corowa Cluster
Preliminary Report Executive Summary
Thursday, 25 May 2017
AFL North East Border 2016-2018 Regional Review
Preliminary Report Executive Summary

A full summary of the Consultation meetings including responses and information collected is published in
the AFLNEB 2016-2018 Regional Review Preliminary Report.

Introduction
The Review process has identified that a level of managed intervention and reform is required to sustain
vibrant and viable football options in the Corowa Cluster. In establishing an agreed pathway to the most
appropriate reform, AFLNEB seeks positive but realistic outcomes for all stakeholders and acknowledge that
limitations exist which must be appreciated through the process.

Managed intervention must be owned by the Corowa communities as a sustainable community football
model will necessitate reform and will have consequences which whilst expected, will evoke emotional
responses. Community sectors who have a direct or indirect interest in the sustainability of football in the
Corowa district, must accept a responsibility in the future direction.

The reference to community includes Club Committees, Members, Supporters, Playing and Coaching
groups but also extends to Local Councils, the Business and Farming Communities and Schools, all whom
have a direct responsibility in the future of football (and netball) and are to be supported through the
process by AFLNEB, AFLNSW and relevant Leagues.

The associated risks of allowing natural attrition to regulate reform as opposed to managed intervention
may result in the demise of an Ovens & Murray club by 2018, which whilst not a preferred option, is realistic
and establishes the level of urgency .

It is the opinion of the Review that the Community must determine if it wants an OMFNL Club in the Corowa
area, its capacity to support and then accept a role in ensuring its sustainability.

The presence of a competitive OMFNL Club in the Corowa area is preferred; however, the Community must
realistically determine if it has the capacity to own and sustain a competitive OMFNL Club as regardless of
other proposed reforms, the sustainability of an OMFNL club cannot be guaranteed. In its determinations,
the community needs to identify its purpose or cultural requirements and align with those of a league(s).

In presenting the observations from the Review, a level of reform is suggested which will have limitations
and necessitate an acknowledgement that an ideal model for all interested stakeholders isnt realistic with a
high level of compromise and collaboration required. Structural reform of football must be considerate of
Netball, however reduced Netball opportunities should not obstruct progress where deemed necessary to
sustain football.

Preliminary Observations
The Preliminary Observations are offered to direct the Corowa community into a course of action for the
establishment of a viable model for football in the Corowa area.

1) That the broader communities of Corowa need to accept greater ownership of the outcomes for football
and work in a collaborative manner for the best interests of the game

2) That whilst the presence of a competitive OMFNL club is the preferred option for football in the Corowa
Cluster area with Seniors, Reserves and Under 18s, it must be realistically determined by the Community
if it has the capacity to support and sustain
3) That the number of Teams in the Corowa Cluster is unsustainable with existing and projected
participation levels failing in a declining regional population and that a rationalisation of clubs and teams
in the Corowa Cluster is required to sustain vibrant participation and competitive teams.

4) That in the processes of club rationalisation, consideration must be given to the reduced Netball
opportunities in a Football Netball environment, however should not obstruct the process of
rationalisation where deemed necessary to sustain football

5) That a Regional approach is necessary and other leagues may be required to work collaboratively with
AFLNEB regarding game day formats and match scheduling.

6) That a collaborative approach to the management and delivery of junior football in the Corowa area is
necessary to maximise the available and projected player pool and ensure high retention through the
transition phases

Immediate Recommended Options, Action Plan and Support Avenues

Option 1
The Community accept ownership of the outcomes and work collaboratively to establish a future direction
and model for football in Corowa
The preferred option requiring local knowledge and collaboration amongst community groups
The outcomes would be managed with a vision and an agreed, sustainable model for football in the
Corowa area which meets community demands
A collaborative approach to solutions is necessary for football
A collaborative approach shares available resources and will maximise the opportunities to develop
and implement a sustainable model
Action Plan
Identify and engage with key influencers in the Community to be lead agents for reform
Consolidate facts on the Corowa football scenario
Engage with the community and present scenario at Community Forums
Establish a plan to rationalise teams and clubs in the Corowa Cluster which meets the community
cultural needs for football
Support Avenues - AFLNEB
To establish a collaborative group representing the community
Facilitation of discussions and plans
Exhaust options to integrate schedules of neighbouring leagues
Facilitate a managed process for the rationalisation of teams and clubs
Liaison with Netball Victoria and other bodies as maybe required

Option 2
The Community allow natural attrition to determine the football model in Corowa
Not the preferred option
The outcome would have no guarantees of being sustainable or that further managed intervention
wouldnt be required to meet community needs
Unforeseen consequences may further compound the challenges faced by football
Action Plan
No action required

Support Avenues - AFLNEB

No direct support is offered to allow natural attrition as its not a preferred option.
However, the consequences of natural attrition may require a range of support mechanisms for
clubs which would be considered a negative investment of resources
Support be provided to implement managed intervention as a positive investment of resources
Summary
From the analysis of the data reports collated and individual club consultations conducted, the Corowa
Cluster area is facing an immediate challenge which, if not managed, could see the clubs fail as soon as 2018.
The AFLNEB Review Panel has concluded that a level of managed intervention in the Corowa area is required
to ensure the game not only survives but prospers.

The major consideration when considering the type of reform is the health of the game in the Corowa area
as opposed to the brand of any individual club. Whilst history and tradition are important considerations, the
need to have a vibrant football environment for the betterment of the broader Corowa community and
future participation is the highest priority and should drive the direction to be taken.

A key theme of the consultations was that ultimately, the broader Corowa Community needs to assume
ownership of the outcomes. A difference of opinion was evident amongst some individual clubs and
individuals within clubs as to the direction to be taken which the community must realistically determine if it
has the capacity to achieve.

The Review panel has presented its conclusions which are evidenced based and interpretative of the
consultations conducted. The next phase of the Review will be to seek feedback on the Report as presented
and conduct further consultations with key decision makers within the clubs which shall be expanded to
include Billabong Crows and the broader communities.

We reiterate that a collaborative approach is required amongst all football bodies who are party to the
Corowa Cluster. For any reform to be implemented, a level of appreciation of the circumstances and a best
interest approach is required. Not responding to the current scenario and allowing natural attrition to
effect reform as opposed to managed intervention will be at the demise of football in Corowa which shall
have impacts across the region.