MEDIA RELEASE
EASTERN FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE AND OUTER EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL ANNOUNCE LANDMARK COMMITMENT TO UNIFIED REGIONAL COMPETITION
Memorandum of Understanding signals shared ambition to create a single league, with a target launch from 2028
The Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) and Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to explore merging their competitions into a single, unified league spanning football and netball across Melbourne’s eastern region.
The agreement marks the first formal step toward establishing a long-term, sustainable and inclusive community sporting model for the region, designed to strengthen community connections, expand participation at every level, and create clearer pathways for players, coaches, umpires and volunteers.
Paul Barlow, EFNL Chair:
“This is a rare opportunity to build something stronger for community football and netball across Melbourne’s east. By coming together, we can protect what makes our clubs special while creating a more sustainable competition for the players, coaches, umpires and volunteers who give so much to local sport.”
Mark Sargent, OEFN Chair:
“Our clubs are the heart of their communities, and they deserve a competition built to last. A unified league enables us align pathways, share resources and invest in the future of the game, from juniors through to our veterans, while driving participation growth and creating more opportunities for men, women, boys and girls across football, netball and umpiring.”
Through this collaboration, EFNL and OEFN aim to:
• Deliver a whole-of-life participation model spanning junior through to senior and veteran’s competitions for football, netball and umpiring
• Improve sustainability of clubs and the broader competition, both financially and operationally
• Foster inclusive, safe and welcoming environments, with a strong focus on accessibility and gender equity
• Align development pathways and invest in talent across football, netball, coaching and officiating
• Establish transparent, effective governance that supports all affiliated clubs
Representatives from both league Boards, will oversee a phased process covering feasibility assessment, stakeholder consultation, governance design and operational alignment.
Extensive engagement with clubs, players, umpires, volunteers, councils and community partners will be central to the work, to ensure the future structure reflects the needs of all stakeholders.
While the MoU is not legally binding, it reflects a strong commitment from both organisations to work collaboratively and in good faith towards a potential merger, with a target to launch a unified competition from 2028.
Both leagues are committed to respecting the history of each league while building a modern, sustainable competition that will support community sport for generations to come.
Please see the below videos for more information provided by both Chairs of the competitions:
Why a MOU: https://youtu.be/lCpBfCrFhlQ
Netball Effect: https://youtu.be/JMvRSVAPX74
Benefits of Pathway & Umpiring: https://youtu.be/tWpNXYK1E8c
The Vision: https://youtu.be/w1374AUi0Ks
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