THE movers and shakers in football and netball in the North East came together at Quality Hotel Gateway Wangaratta on Wednesday to launch the new AFL North East Border Regional Football and Netball Facilities Strategy.
The strategy looks at the region’s facilities and charts a way forward to improve them to make sure they are suitable for all users.
In attendance were representatives from AFL Victoria, AFL North East Border, Netball Victoria, local council, and other stakeholders and facility operators.
AFL Victoria CEO Greg Madigan said taking a systematic approach and collaborating with all levels of government was the best way to improve the region’s facilities for all who use them.
“The major part around the strategy is the changing nature of the game, a lot of facilities have been left to decline over time,” he said.
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“Everyone recognises the need, particularly with the growth of the female participation, to create safe and inclusive environments for all participants, umpires, coaches, timekeepers, players and all the volunteers.
“Facilities, there are a lot of them, they cost a lot of money to build, they cost a lot of money to maintain, so it’s important to get this strategy and start working through it systematically.
“We understand priorities have changed, things will ebb and flow a bit depending on the availability of funding, but at least if we have a strategy and we keep referring back to the document, we know what needs to be done, when it gets done and by who.
“We can’t do it on our own, and we realise local government can’t do it on their own, state (government) can’t do it on their own, so we’ve got to get everyone together and see how we can work through it.”
AFL Victoria community venue development lead Beau Tran said collaboration between all parties would be paramount in fulfilling the strategy.
“We’re hoping through this strategy and the collaboration and partnerships that we can have with all levels of government and the region too, we can achieve better outcomes for the football and netball community,” he said.
“The facilities here are well used for the community, we know there are gaps based on the data that has been collected, but that doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to improve them.
“Through the collaboration and partnership with everyone, we’re hoping through this strategy and identifying those venues, especially with female football being on the rise, we can achieve those goals.
“With everybody on the same page we can get better outcomes than people going it alone.”
AFL NEB region manager Zac Hedin said the following the plan would greatly benefit the local football and netball community.
“The AFL North East Border Facilities Strategy will provide a clear path forward for the region when we look to continue to grow the game across the North East region,” he said.
“It's clear throughout the strategy that there is plenty of work to be done, which also provides plenty of opportunity.
“We are looking forward to working with all the stakeholders within the region to advocate and support facility upgrades and developments to get the best outcomes for clubs and participants"
