The future of the Golden Point Junior Football Club will come to a head in six to eight weeks’ time.
East Point’s board of management will take the lead role in mapping out a way forward for the junior club, which has struggled for players and volunteers in recent seasons.
At a meeting held by Golden Point on Tuesday night there was enthusiasm for the continuation of the club, with about 15 people putting their hands up to take on roles at the junior club.
The decision, however, lies with the East Point Football Netball Club, which manages East Ballarat Junior Football Club, Golden Point, and the East Point senior club.
“The East Point Football Netball Club Inc board of management has announced it will be exploring a number of options in regard to the future of its Golden Point Junior Football Netball Club,” a statement from East Point said.
“The junior club has faced a number of challenges over recent years and has found it difficult to field football teams in all four junior football grades and to fill the many volunteer roles required at the club.
Strategies taken in recent years have not proven to be successful and so now the board needs to take a different approach and to consider what other options are available to take the Golden Point Juniors forward.
“The board acknowledges the very long and proud history of the Golden Point Junior Football Netball Club and wants to ensure its long-term sustainability and so has established a working party to investigate over the next six to eight weeks how Golden Point juniors may look and operate from next year.
“The group will present its recommendation to the board later this year.”
In 2010, East Point revised its constitution to reflect its structure that includes its senior and two junior divisions.
The board of management consists of an elected executive and appoints two members from each of its operating committees, including Golden Point.
“The board’s role is to consider what is in the best interests of the club as a whole and its divisions, and to lead and support possible solutions to the challenges Golden Point juniors are currently facing,” East Point administration officer Karen Monument said.
“The East Point board of management has been in constant discussion with the Ballarat Football Netball League board and staff to keep them informed of the club’s current situation and the league fully supports the board of management’s direction over the coming weeks.”
