AFL Goldfields chief executive officer Rod Ward has voiced his opinion on the importance of a VFL side in Ballarat – believing the Roosters are a key element to football around the region.
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Over the last few months the immediate future of VFL in Ballarat has been unknown and at times looked increasingly unlikely, but Ward said it was critical the VFL influence remained in Ballarat and was pleased to hear of city of Ballarat’s decision to compulsory acquire the freehold title of the Eureka Stadium sports club.
Ward said providing a pathway to the top level was crucial for attracting players to the Ballarat Football League.
“I think it’s critically important that the region retains its state league VFL side, I think it attracts high-level quality footballers to Ballarat and it draws footballers to Fed Uni and business’s in the region. The flow-on effect is, you only have to look around the Ballarat Football League and district leagues, how many of them finish at the Roosters go on to coach or play at local level – it improves the standard of community football,” Ward said.
“They get attracted to Ballarat to go to university or try-out for the Roosters or try-out for the TAC Cup.
“I commend the city of Ballarat on their proactive action, because what that does it secures the venue...I think the process will ensure the financial well-being of the Roosters. We need to work closely with the Roosters to ensure our VFL side remains financially viable and secure well into the future.”
Ward said he and the Ballarat Football League had been in close consultation with the Roosters in ensuring the pathway and maintaining a healthy relationship with the club.
Ward admitted he had been concerned about the longevity of Ballarat’s VFL side, but was confident in the knowledge that it was now heading in the right direction and understood there was still plenty of work to do.
“It certainly is sustainable, you’ve just got to put the correct business model in place and ensure the region gets behind you.
“It seems to be heading in the right direction.
“There were certainly times where I was concerned, but we were always trying to work towards a positive outcome with the key stakeholders...the news of the last week has been positive, there’s still more work to be done, we’re under no illusions.”
