CLUNES Football Netball Club president Doug Garth says a decision on the Magpies’ future will be made before the end of the season.
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After talks with AFL Goldfields and the Central Highlands Football League board of management this week, Garth and the subcommittee appointed to look into the club’s options now plan on meeting the Maryborough Castlemaine District league before relaying all information to their members.
The Courier understands pursuing a shift to the Maryborough Castlemaine District competition remains the most likely option for the Magpies, who have concerns over their ability to compete in the current senior football environment within the Central Highlands league.
Garth released a short statement on Thursday, which confirmed this week’s discussions and the desire to meet the Maryborough Castlemaine District league board.
“We plan to meet with the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League in the near future to gather as many facts as we can to allow the members to make an informed decision on the future of our club,” Garth said.
AFL Goldfields regional general manger Rod Ward said the meeting with Clunes, which included AFL Goldfields development manager Brett Anderson, helped him gain an appreciation of the challenges facing the club.
“The club is a proud club that has a long history in the Central Highlands Football League and I think their priority is to ensure a viable and sustainable future for their members and for their town,” Ward said.
Ward said he and Anderson were able to outline the process available if the club did wish to pursue a clearance to the Maryborough Castlemaine District league and said the AFL Goldfields Commission had not been involved in talks due to the fact it might be required to hear appeals down the track.
Central Highlands Football League administrator Diane Ryan said the board of management requested that it be kept informed of Clunes’ progress.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au