The shock news was confirmed via a statement and sees 14 people lose their jobs.

AFL Goldfields has been responsible for overseeing and helping with the running of the following leagues and associations.

"'All staff who are employed by the RAC have been stood down until the business is able to recommence once the COVID-19 crisis has passed and community football and netball are able to get started again," AFL Goldfields chairperson Kat Baddeley said in the statement.

Recently appointed AFL Goldfields general manager Gerard Ryan said the closure was to help avoid putting any extra strain on clubs and leagues in the region.

"Like all football and netball organisations across the nation at this time, all income into AFL Goldfields has ceased and the commission is conscious of not putting a further drain on league funds when they are also unable to generate any revenue," Ryan said.

"The members of AFL Goldfields commission are very conscious of supporting the staff who have been affected with this decision and will do all that they can to support them through this difficult time."

AFL Goldfields had offices in both Ballarat and Melton.

Ballarat Football Netball League operations manager Shane Anwyl will keep his role in a part-time capacity and now be employed by the competition itself.

Just after lunchtime on Wednesday the BFNL released a statement confirming Anwyl as the league's manager.

"Shane Anwyl has been employed by AFL Goldfields as the operations manager of the league for the last three years and will now be employed by the league directly to undertake all aspects of management of the league through this period of recess," it read.

"This will include engagement with our partners, social media and being available to our clubs to provide advice and assistance."

In its statement, AFL Goldfields says it is aiming to re-establish the RAC as soon as it is financially possible and engage staff in roles which are available.