2019 Competition Information

019 Competition Structure Information

The AFL Yarra Ranges has released to it’s clubs the below information on it’s proposed Senior competition’s for Season 2019. These will be formalised after the full review document is released on August 17th & feedback/recommendations from clubs have been received by late September 2018.

The AFL Yarra Ranges Commission meeting August 2 and have formally granted acceptance of affiliation applications from the following South East Football Netball Clubs to join the AFL Yarra Ranges Commission commencing from season 2019.

• Beaconsfield Football Club Inc
• Beaconsfield Netball Club Inc
• Berwick Football Club Inc
• Berwick Netball Club Inc
• Doveton Football Netball Club Inc
• Narre Warren Football Netball Club Inc
• Officer Football Club Inc
• ROC Netball Club Inc
• Pakenham Football Club Inc
• Pakenham Netball Club Inc

These applications have been ratified under AFL Victoria By-law 3.8 (ii)Transfer of Club into another Region Commission. The application for transfer has been sent to AFL South East and AFL Victoria for formal acceptance and consideration for transfer into our competition commencing season 2019.

The Commission is also pleased to confirm that they have accepted an application of Berwick Springs to join as a new entry level club in 2019. Berwick Springs will commence in our Under 19’s (Football) and Netball in 2019. This application has been ratified under AFL Victoria By-law 3.2 New Clubs.

Note: – Berwick Springs aim to have all levels of senior football and netball by season 2021.

COMMISSION NAME

The AFL Yarra Ranges commission, effective from 1 November 2018, we will be known as AFL Outer East.

This name reflects the broad area the commission now represents across the North East, Yarra Ranges and South East.

The Senior Football and Netball competition will be known as Outer East Football Netball

The Junior Football Competition will be confirmed with the junior clubs at an upcoming meeting, it will be recommended to our junior clubs that they also become Outer East Junior Football.

The restructure of our Senior competitions into three division will have no impact on our existing Junior Competitions, with core age groups to remain the same as is for season 2019.

UNDER AGE FOOTBALL & NETBALL

The AFL Yarra Ranges Commission wish to also confirm that commencing season 2019 we will be offering both Under 18 and 19 football options. In season 2019, the following structure will be implemented: –

• Two underage options will be offered Under 18 and 19.
• Clubs can nominate a team in either age group or both.
• Maintain current permit structure.
• Clubs will be provided the option of entering multiple teams at underage level.
• Preference will be given to alignment with seniors over grading of competitions.
• Alternative Fixturing will be utilised and encouraged (Friday/Saturday Night).

A detailed consultative process will be undertaken in 2019 designed to settle on a preferred underage football model for 2020 and beyond. Clubs, coaches, officials, parents and players will be consulted in developing recommendations for the 2020 season and beyond.

Netball in 2019 will also have a changing format to increase participation: –

• Appointment of a Netball Development Manager (part time).
• Introduction of underage netball in the 13,15 and 17 age groups.
• Provide divisional Netball in Junior Ranks for clubs with strong numbers.
• Build numbers in the under 17 age group.
• Development of Club based Net-Set-Go programs.
• Introduction of Underage representative Programs.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE 2019

 The commission can confirm its preferred structure for 2019. Final team placements will be confirmed prior to the conclusion of the division one finals series of 2018.Please note, that the final structure may change following the completion of the review process. A final five finals series will be retained under all future structures.

Season 2019 will have a minimum of 16-18 home away games, this will also be ratified prior to conclusion of division one finals series.

Proposed Division Entry Guidelines

• There is an option for one club being placed into Division 1 in 2019 from our existing Division 2 competition. Current ladder position in 2018, whilst favourably considered, will not be the only consideration in club promotion.
• Entry for either ninth team competitions would be by application only, addressing the below criteria as a minimum standard.
• Should a Club who qualifies for Premier Division successfully request to start in Division 1, their place would be offered to the next best placed club from their completion.
• A request to start down a division would need to be submitted via a formal application to the commission and required in writing signed by executive club officers prior to October 1^st, 2018.

Clubs that participate in the SEFNL or AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 Senior Grand Final will be automatically placed in Premier Division for 2019.

Some of the Key Selection Criteria’s for which clubs will be assessed for inclusion in Premier or Division 1 in the initial year (2019), include but are not limited to, are:

• On field overall club performance over the past 5 years.
• Both football and netball will be considered allowing a whole of club assessment to take place.
• Financial sustainability and payment performance.
• Ability of the club to compete in the higher division from a financial point of view.
• Club financial statements (audited) for past 2 years to be provided upon request.
• Quality and commitment towards both junior boy’s and girl’s football and development pathway.
• Must have under age football or a clear pathway to in 2019
• Facilities, including capacity for crowds, netball, all-ability access, females (including future development plans).
• Netball – fill all senior grades.
• Past compliance to SEFNL, Yarra Ranges and AFL Victoria’s rules & regulations.

• Note: – any divisional changes will be at the sole discretion of the commission.

Promotion and Relegation

• The preferred Promotion and Relegation criteria will be one club up and one club down
• In 2019, promotion from Division 2 will be by application or invitation only, subject to commission approval and assessment.
• By 2021, the aim is to have promotion and relegation across all divisions, with no qualifying parameters attached.
• In the initial stages of the implementation of the Outer East Football Netball competition, the commission may utilise different promotion and relegation strategies to find competitive balance. This may include strategies such as two up or down, no relegation or promotion only. A consultative process will always be undertaken under this potential consideration.

Salary Cap and Player Points 

The recommendation for 2019 is as follows:

1. Increase player point levels to match neighbouring competitions, EFL, NFL, AFL SE and AFL Gippsland
2. Utilise a tiered points system in each division to enhance competition equalisation
3. Set Salary Cap levels that consider neighbouring competitions, club sustainability and competitive balance
4. Undertake Player Point and Salary Cap Audits consistently across the season, with a minimum of two reviews per competition annually this is to ensure adherence and

Points will be increased to the following levels

Tiered points will be applied to clubs in any division by the commission where required to achieve competition balance. Factors in determining application of this will include, but not exclusively consider:

• Strong Junior Participation numbers
• Long term/on-going premiership success
• Extended periods of poor on field performance
• Sustained periods of salary cap spend higher than league average spend
• Note: – Top three clubs from SEFNL playing in Premier Division will be limited to 39 points for season 2019 and reviewed annually

The recommended Salary Cap limits for Season 2019 were developed following consultation from the clubs.

Salary Cap amounts are to be reviewed annually

• Club consultation is paramount in any changes to points or salary cap changes
• Premier Division Salary Caps should closely align to MPNFL and EFL Division 1 competitions
• Club average spend data should be utilised in all Salary cap assessments

Note: The 2019 Figures have taken neighbouring competition Salary Caps into account, with particular focus on where competitions are expected to be by 2020

Review- Future Direction of Football and Netball 

The full draft findings of the AFL Yarra Ranges Review will be released on August 17^th.

This document will provide the following: –

• Full details of the restructure for 2019
• Recommendations for Football and Netball at all levels

Clubs will have 28 days to respond to the review document and make recommendations of changes in writing. The final divisional structures for Season 2019 will be confirmed prior to September 28, 2018.

Should your club require any further information, we ask that enquiries be made directly Aaron via phone or email and MUST come from your club President.

Looking forward to a fantastic football netball competition from 2019 and beyond.