The group, which has been running for around 25 years, has been desperately trying to fill mandatory committee positions and without them will be forced to shut down under Little Athletics Victoria (LAVIC) requirements.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Little Athletics (YMLA) Secretary Nell Duffy said it is imperative to have a “basic” committee along with parents assisting to run weekly athletics meetings.
“This same time last year a crisis meeting was also held for the Yarrawonga Mulwala Little Athletic Group’s 2018 season to continue, for our community and most of all the kids,” Mrs Duffy said.
“A small but determined group of five parents put their hands up to fill the main committee positions. Our plan was to not necessarily grow the group but to keep it alive as it would have folded then.
“We initially held our AGM this year a couple of weeks ago which had been previously advertised. But with no new members putting their hands up to fill committee positions coupled with well-earned retirements from the vice president and treasurer the group’s future immediately looked uncertain.”
The current president and secretary (Chris and Nell Duffy) are happy to give another year in view to transition over to new committee members over the 2019 season but the group needs to fill other committee positions.
“This is a second chance, there will be no third chance and final offer,” Mrs Duffy said.
“We are sad and disappointed for our local families but most of all the kids but we may have no other choice,” Mrs Duffy said.
“It is a requirement of Little Aths Victoria to have “basic” committee positions filled. This enables the online registrations to be open for our club, currently we are unable to achieve this.
“We thank previous committee members thus far, and we know this has been an on-going issue.”
Mrs Duffy said the club enjoyed a successful 10-week season in 2018 including a “Come and Try” day and a healthy number of registrations along with a boost of funds from committee fundraising and generous sponsorship from various local businesses.
“It was also by far the most successful year with seven YMLA athletes representing our town at a regional level, with four then going through to State. This was an outstanding achievement for our small club.
“YMLA kids are also very successful on a school sports level, representing their schools at a regional, zone and State level with the skills taught at weekly home meets helping them achieve this.”
Mrs Duffy said throughout the season many parents and kids helped out with the weekly set up, pack up and general housekeeping, and this made for a smooth-running season for families.
But despite all of this it will be the appointment of a sufficient working committee and on-going parent support that will determine if the group is to continue.
“We are currently in communication with LAVIC as to what our next step is and what could be offered to our local families and kids in our community,” Mrs Duffy said.
Since posting on Facebook about the group’s last-ditch effort to form a committee Mrs Duffy said the response has been incredible and very positive but urges interested people to come along to the meeting next Monday, September 2 at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Boardroom at 7.30pm.
“If people are as serious about saving this group as what’s been said on social media then they should make this meeting their priority.”
