The Reds declared a crisis meeting at Morshead Park on Thursday night as an open forum for members, Academy parents, key stakeholders and supporters to voice concerns and ideas on how best to move forward as an entity in Football Federation Victoria competition.

Central to the club’s issues was governance structure, particularly since the city’s marquee soccer team moved from FFV state league two into the newly formed National Premier Leagues Victoria.

Long-time Reds committee member Stan Burns said there had been growing pains for the club that had become more evident midway through what is the second NPLV season.

Burns said it was vital the club met with supporters to better reconnect as a club internally, between senior and junior arms, and externally with the community.

The club presented a proposal for a more formalised board with four Academy and four senior representatives, with the opportunity to include independent business members or those with specialised sports governance experience.

Ballarat Red Devils’ existing structure was pieced together by chairman and key benefactor Duncan Smith to help launch the club in the NPLV.

Burns said it was time the club operated more on a standard business model, matching income and expenditure.

Smith wrote an emotive email to members and key stakeholders, calling the meeting, and effectively outlining the need for change.

Burns, who quashed initial suggestions the club was under threat of folding, said transparency going forward was the key and it was important to answer all questions served up from the floor.

“I think in the end people were happier. I’ll wait for more feedback to come, but that was the initial feedback,” Burns said.

“We’ve made enormous strides as a club but a lot of clubs are having problems making the adjustment (to NPLV).

“Are we totally secure financially? No, we’re not.

“We have the intention to do everything in our power to meet every commitment we’ve made this season.

“We don’t have all the funding there to do that at the moment but we’re much more confident now we can do this.”

Members and supporters repeatedly raised a lack of confidence in the club, and unwillingness to volunteer, under the existing club structure and culture.

This included, but was not limited to, supporter code of conduct issues at senior and junior matches, poor community engagement and social media promotion.

Academy parents also said there was a disconnect between the club’s senior and junior players.

A separate meeting with the senior team on Thursday night delivered a commitment from NPLV players to spend more time at Academy matches, training and club functions.

The Courier understands at least six NPLV clubs have held similar meetings with members.

The Red Devils field six Academy talent teams in NPLV and an under-20 team with its senior side.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au