North Ballarat Roosters will battle on through financially testing times to be part of the VFL next year.
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However, North Ballarat Football Club chairman Jenny Bromley says a great of deal of work is needed to secure the long-term future of the Roosters in the state competition.
A club board meeting on Monday night confirmed the Roosters would play on in the VFL in 2017 despite financial difficulties.
Bromley told The Courier on Tuesday that the club had adopted a modified budget and would need to strictly live within its means across all its programs.
The NBFC also oversees senior and junior football and netball teams in the Ballarat Football Netball League.
Bromley said all avenues would be investigated for options to generate greater income.
She said the Roosters would need to get greater corporate and community support.
Bromley said the club was in discussions with the City of Ballarat as part of this process.
AFL Victoria CEO Steven Reaper said the Roosters’ decision was positive for the VFL.
“It is pleasing to have North Ballarat Football Club reaffirm its commitment to the VFL competition in 2017,” Reaper said.
“AFL Victoria will continue to work with the club, like we do all clubs, to help support their future in the competition.”
Roosters recruiting and list manager Gary Buckenara said they would continue to encourage the Ballarat and greater Western Victorian community to embrace and support the team.
He said the Roosters had an important role to play in the football pathway – complementing what the North Ballarat Rebels under-18 program offered in the TAC Cup.
Buckenara said the Roosters played a part in keeping the AFL dreams of youngsters alive.
He said without a presence in the VFL in the region many would miss an opportunity to pursue this dream.
Buckenara said this took money and without sufficient financial support it would be lost. He said everything possible was being done to make the Roosters program sustainable.