The Outer East Commission would like to announce the release of the Senior Football and Netball divisional structure for season 2022 following the recent departures of Beaconsfield Football Club, Cranbourne Football Club and Doveton Football Netball Club.
We would like to thank these clubs for their contribution to Outer East over the last three years and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Restructure Process
The development of the preferred senior structure for season 2022 was done in collaboration with senior clubs through surveys, meetings, and one-one consultation.
Through this consultation period key principles emerged for consideration by the board:
- Clubs were unanimous that the league make the relevant changes now, so minimal disruption would occur moving forward.
- Clubs were presented the option of either two or three divisions. Three divisions (84%) were preferred by most clubs.
- The majority (77%) of clubs felt the highest number of teams should be in premier division.
- Clubs strongly supported the retention of both Berwick and Beaconsfield netball; however priority was placed in identifying the best divisional structure for 2022. It was agreed that clubs would be added at the end of the process.
Three options were presented under a three-division model. Clubs were provided draft fixture dates and structures for each model. The three options presented to clubs were:
- 9, 7, 7
- 8, 8, 7
- 8, 7, 8
After two phases of consultation, clubs voted for the 9, 7, 7 model for Season 2022. Therefore, premier division will again feature nine football clubs, whilst divisions one and two will see seven football clubs in each competition.
Region General Manager Aaron Bailey felt it was vital clubs were part of the restructure process.
“This has been a disruptive period for clubs coming out of covid and it was important that we worked with the clubs in identifying their preferred model for season 2022,” he said.
“We presented multiple options to clubs for consideration and wanted them to help us shape and drive our direction forward.
“The information provided by clubs really shaped the board’s decision making.”
Promotion
Clubs were offered the opportunity to nominate for promotion and clubs who were earmarked for promotion were consulted throughout the process. The board considered the following areas in the process of promotion.
- Performance of Senior Football (2019,2021) in line with league bylaws
- Overall club performance (Netball, Reserves, Under 18 Div. 2/ Under 19)
- Off field structures including governance, financials, junior pathways, infrastructure etc
2022 Outer East Divisions
After careful consideration, the following clubs have been promoted:
- Monbulk, Mount Evelyn, and Officer/ROC to Premier Division
- Yarra Glen to Division One
| Premier | Division One | Division Two |
| Narre Warren
Olinda Ferny Creek Pakenham Upwey Tecoma Wandin Woori Yallock Monbulk Mount Evelyn Officer/ROC Beaconsfield Netball* |
Belgrave
Berwick Springs Emerald Gembrook Cockatoo Healesville Seville Yarra Glen Berwick Netball* |
Alexandra
Broadford Kinglake Powelltown Warburton Millgrove Yarra Junction Yea Thornton Eildon* |
*Netball teams placed in the bye slot of the fixture
The New Divisional Structure
Outer East Commercial & Operations Manager Cameron Hutchison said while the new format looks as though it presents change, it is not too dissimilar to what the competition has seen in previous years.
“Our premier division will remain much the same as season 2021 with an 18 round season where each club will play the others twice, with two byes each, and the finals will be the top five system,” he said.
“Seven sides in divisions one and two have provided some real benefits as it allows us to run an even draw. Clubs will play 18 games, playing each other three times (with three byes) over a 21-week season.
“Both models work well if we see a continuation of covid conditions, as we can achieve equitable draws much quicker in these models.”
Netball Only Clubs
Beaconsfield and Berwick Netball Clubs will be placed in the bye in premier and division one respectively. Long term, the vision is for Outer East and both clubs to build new football alignments in the Casey and Cardinia regions. Thornton Eildon will enter netball teams in division two, as they did in 2021, while Cranbourne Netball Club’s juniors will remain in Outer East.
Season 2022
The 2022 season dates will be finalised shortly, with the aim to start the season as soon as possible in April 2022, given the long layoff due to covid lockdowns. Senior competition fixtures will be released in early December following club feedback and requests.
Bailey is pleased to settle the competition structure for the new year and looks toward a clear and stable year in 2022.
“I’d like to thank all our senior clubs for their honesty, support and input into this process,” Bailey said.
“The focus for the staff and board members now is to ensure we are able to successfully return from covid and settle our senior competitions long term.”
“The league is in an excellent position off field, particularly financially, whilst enjoying stability at both staff and board level. For the first time, every club in the Outer East is in terms (owes no money) to the league at the end of the season, which is an outstanding result. We will record a profit this year, whilst being able to pass on over $300,000 in savings or rebates/credits to clubs this year which is a really strong platform to build from post covid.
“Our participation numbers in junior football teams have grown by 30 in the past five years, as well as the development of a two-division women’s competition. As a league, we are in the strongest position we have been off field but are under no illusions that consolidation of our senior competitions is a priority for 2022 and beyond.”
“Further announcements about the direction of the league will be made in the coming weeks. There are some really positive developments we will share as we approach Christmas that are exciting for both the league and its clubs.”
