AFLNEB 2016-2018 Regional Review

Corowa Cluster
Final Report
Thursday, 7 September 2017
AFL North East Border 2016-2018 Regional Review Report
The 2016-2018 AFL North East Border Region Review was commissioned to establish qualitative and
quantitative data to form the basis on which recommendations for the optimal structure of football
competitions, management and governance in Region beyond season 2016.

AFLNEBs Review Project Team has managed the review process, specifically concerning itself with
the key strategic areas identified and ensuring they are not considered in isolation and that
subsequent recommendations have a direct relationship with the project scope statement.

Key strategic areas collectively form the AFLNEB 2016-2018 Regional Review and are considered as
individual projects and conducted concurrently. The Corowa Cluster was identified as a priority
project.

The Review collects and analyses data, conducts interviews and consultation meetings with relevant
stakeholders identified within the Review Project Plan document and subsequently, the Review Panel
formalises recommendations for the consideration and adoption of the AFLNEB Commission.

Following the completion of a consultation process and analysis of the data obtained, preliminary
recommendations are established and presented to the AFLNEB Commission and the various
stakeholders for feedback.

The Final Recommendations relevant to the Corowa Cluster have been presented and adopted by the
AFL North East Border Commission.

The Commission acknowledges that assessing and ultimately implementing Recommendations within
the Region cannot be completed in isolation and a Regional view is necessary for a comprehensive
understanding of the potential consequences of any actions and that a sequential approach to
implementing recommendations which are integral to the long-term future direction of the game in
the Region is necessary.

As established in the AFLNEB 2016-2018 Regional Review Project Plan dated July 22nd, 2016,
Recommendations approved and adopted by the AFLNEB Commission shall be implemented in
accordance within the timeframes identified with adherence to Rules and Regulations of AFL Victoria
Country and AFL North East Border, specifically Rule 4.7 AFL Victoria Country Reviews Implementations
and Appeal.

Definition:
Corowa Cluster
Corowa Rutherglen FNC, Corowa Rutherglen Junior FC, Wahgunyah FNC, Rutherglen FNC, CDHBU
FNC (AFLNSW) and included by extension through the Review Billabong Crows FNC (AFLNSW)
Corowa Cluster Final Report - Introduction
The Review process has identified that to sustain a vibrant and viable football culture in the Corowa
Cluster, all football bodies must work collaboratively to manage and implement reforms.

In establishing recommendations, AFLNEB expects positive but realistic outcomes for all stakeholders
and acknowledge that limitations do exist however, it is universally agreed that reform is required
and continual change in the Cluster area is inevitable.

Outcomes in the Corowa Cluster must be owned by the broader Corowa community who have
acknowledged the necessity and inevitability of reform and that emotional responses to
Recommendations can be expected. Communities who have a direct or indirect interest in the
sustainability of football in the Corowa district, must also appreciate the inevitability that
rationalisation of teams is necessary.

It is the opinion of the Review that the Community has determined it wants an OMFNL Club in the Corowa area
and it has the capacity to support its sustainability, however, to achieve immediate and longer term
outcomes, a more relevant model for football is necessary. It is also a necessity that structurally, the Corowa
Rutherglen FNC continues to evolve into a leading Community club where players and people can aspire.

The Review Recommendations identify structural reform of football and whilst considerate of
Netball, the potential of reduced Netball opportunities now or into the future, cannot obstruct the
implementation of strategies necessary to sustain football.

The Corowa Cluster Reviews Final Recommendations are considerate of relevant football and
community data, an acceptance of that data being a true reflection of the club and football
environment, the Preliminary Reports and subsequent consultation and the engagement with clubs
and leagues. Significantly, the Review has acknowledged the role of the games Governing Bodies to
manage football in the Region and to consolidate philosophies and regulations across the AFL North
East Border and AFL NSW jurisdictions for the betterment of the game.

During the Review, the scope expanded to include the Billabong Crows FNC who are also presented
with ongoing participation challenges. It has been acknowledged by the Review that the BBC FNC
have confirmed their intention for 2018 however, they are now to be considered as an interested
Corowa Cluster Club and should continue to engage with the Hume FL, AFLNSW and AFL North East
Border as further monitoring and planning for football is necessary.

The Review Recommendations have been endorsed by the AFL North East Border Commission and
AFLNSW with an acknowledge of the intent and application of AFL Victoria Regulation 4.7 AFL
Victoria Country Reviews Implementations and Appeal and are now presented for the betterment
of football in the Corowa area.

AFL North East Border will continue to facilitate further discussions both individually and collectively
with clubs and leagues in the Corowa Cluster for the consideration, adoption and establishment of a
Recommendations implementation schedule.
Final Review Recommendations
The Review recognised that the Community must appreciate the state of the game and accept
ownership of the outcomes, working collaboratively with the codes Governing Bodies to establish a
future model for football in the Corowa Cluster area.

The Review concludes that the current football environment in the Corowa Cluster is not sustainable,
that reform is both necessary and inevitable and that not all stakeholders can expect to maintain
their current structure, a position universally accepted by the relevant stakeholder clubs and leagues.

Despite agreements and an acceptance of the necessity to introduce reforms amongst key
stakeholders, emotional responses can be expected and will influence the acceptance of proposals
presented.

Corowa Cluster - Final Recommendations

1) Whilst Community and Club ownership of the Recommendations and their implementation is
necessary, in the absence of the implementation of meaningful reform, the AFLNEB Commission
reserves the right to review progress and at any time prior to the 2018 season, ensure appropriate
Corowa Cluster reform, at which point, outcomes for any clubs may be significantly altered.

Rationale:
- The Cluster Communities and Clubs recognise the game is in decline and that reforms are
necessary and inevitable
- The successful implementation of the recommendations requires local ownership
- Emotional responses may influence the capacity of the community and clubs to embrace the
Recommendations, acknowledge the collectively logic applied and assume ownership
- Governing Bodies ultimately have jurisdiction and a responsibility to govern and manage
- The anticipated consequences on the game of AFL in the cluster area caused by taking no
action is high risk, unmanageable and irresponsible
- AFL Victoria Rule 4.7 provides the Commission ultimate decision making

2) That no additional teams be permitted or re-established at any club in the Corowa Cluster in 2018
- No Cluster Club shall field any team in 2018 which were not fielded in 2017

Rationale:
- Participation data shows that the Cluster cannot adequately support the existing number of
senior or junior teams in 2017 and;
- Any new teams would further compound the issues identified and would detrimentally
impact on the Cluster and the broader Region
- The proposition of re-establishing teams is detrimental to the consolidation of existing teams
- A rationalisation of teams and consolidation of participation opportunities is required to best
ensure sustainability in the Corowa Cluster

3) Prior to season 2018, AFLNEB and AFLNSW adopt a consistent Junior Policy for Minimum Age Players
and Over Age Players in any age division
- Before a Player participates in an age division outside of 3 years, the players parent must sign
a consent form and lodge with their Governing Body
- Minimum Age to Register and Play at any club, must be 10 years of age by January 1st

Rationale:
- Football in the cluster area cannot be adequately governed with conflicting management
regulations and philosophies
- Player development philosophies, whilst subjective, must be consistent across the
jurisdictions and not be influenced or confused with meeting team number requirements
 - Playing Up or Down a Level permissions should not determine if a team has adequate
numbers to constitute a team

4) Ensuring an Ovens & Murray FNL Club presence, that a rationalisation of teams in the Corowa Cluster for
2018 be initiated whilst ensuring a direct pathway from juniors to seniors.

Rationale:
- The Review established that the Community acknowledges that rationalisation is both
required and necessary
- The Review established that the Community wants and needs an OMFNL Club in the Corowa
area and it has the capacity to support its sustainability pending rationalisation of teams
- The Cluster couldnt adequately support existing senior or junior teams in 2017
- The Cluster cannot support any new or re-established junior teams in 2018
o CDHBU had no Under 17s in 2017 and below minimum numbers in Under 14s
o Corowa Rutherglen JFC had below minimum numbers in Under 14s
o Corowa Rutherglen FNC Reserves forfeited 3 games
o Participation forecasts do not support growth
- A Regional preference is to minimises the reliance on permits and special consideration
concessions for the Corowa Cluster Clubs.

5) Relevant to the rationalisation of teams, a collaborative Major-District League, Club and Player
Interchange Agreement be implemented for the interchange of players between specific Seniors teams

Rationale:
- Implementing Review Recommendations necessitate strategies not currently provided for
requiring localised strategies
- Interchange Agreements provide transparency and fairness to all clubs in all leagues and an
operating framework for the management of player movements
- The framework must address PPS and APP considerations

6) That following the release of the Recommendations, a Corowa Cluster Focus Group be established to
assess, monitor, review and implement shared Strategies

Rationale:
- Participation forecasts and scenarios in the Corowa Cluster ensures ongoing challenges for
football in the area
- Corowa Cluster participation has been in decline and requires both local knowledge and
governance resources to address for short, medium and longer term outcomes
- Player development philosophies, whilst subjective, must be consistent across the
jurisdictions and not be influenced or confused with team number requirements
- Shared strategies acknowledge the trends, challenges and opportunities for the game
- The reform objectives, intent and purposes are to:
achieve team numbers with zero special considerations concessions and;
significantly reduce the reliance on permit players

7) That implementation of reforms and new proposals from clubs, leagues or the Focus Group which are not
specified in these recommendations require AFLNEB Commission endorsement for season 2018 and
beyond

Rationale:
- The Commission must consider any proposals impacts on the broader Region
- The Commission has an independent decision making responsibility
- The Commission is the Regions governing body responsible for significant structural decisions
- Alternate proposal can be expected as an emotional reaction to reform recommendations
Executive Summary
From the analysis conducted, the Corowa Cluster area is facing an immediate challenge which, if not
managed, will see the clubs and the game to be continually challenged. The AFLNEB Review Panel
has recommended that managed reform in the Corowa Cluster is required to ensure the game not
only survives but prospers and that it requires a collaborative approach with local ownership.

This requires rationalisation of football teams for the betterment of the game based on existing and
projected participation forecasts.

The priority for the health of the game in the Corowa Cluster is an immediate investment in a shared
Junior Football Models as opposed to the brand of any individual club. Whilst it is acknowledged that
the historical match day format is preferred at all levels, in the Corowa Cluster the game is in decline;
the provision of a vibrant football environment for the betterment of the broader Corowa
community and of future participation is to be of the highest priority and has driven decision making.

The Review concludes that the Corowa Cluster cannot support the current senior and junior team
numbers and certainly cannot entertain the proposition of additional teams at any club. The Cluster
Communities and Clubs recognise the game is in decline and that reforms are necessary and
inevitable and that the successful implementation of the recommendations requires local ownership

Emotional responses are expected and may influence the capacity of the community and clubs to
embrace the Recommendations and assume ownership.

It is vital that a collaborative approach is achieved and whilst Community ownership is necessary, in
the absence of the implementation of meaningful reform, the AFLNEB Commission reserves the right to
review progress and at any time prior to the 2018 season, ensure appropriate Corowa Cluster reform, at
which point, outcomes for any clubs may be significantly altered.