Broadford Football Netball Club announced via a statement on Thursday afternoon that it would not field football teams next year.
The decision was made at a special general meeting on Wednesday, where club members voted unanimously for the football department to enter recess.
The club’s netball sides will seek to join a metropolitan-based winter competition during the pause in football operations.
The news comes months after the Kangaroos’ application to join Kyabram District League (KDL) in August was rejected by the league.
In its statement, Broadford highlighted that AFL Victoria advised the club that it was unable to appeal the league’s decision due to Broadford wanting to shift from the metropolitan-based Outer-East Football Netball League to a country-based league.
The club was then forced to seek alternative options to its immediate playing future.
In the club’s statement, Broadford president Bonnie Welch said the Kangaroos would continue to seek out a new home, while she called for a review of the governing body.
“Every decision that we have made throughout this journey has been open, transparent and informed and, most importantly, led by our members in the best interests for our club for future sustainability on all levels,” Welch said.
“While there isn’t a league that is a perfect fit for us, what we would like is somewhere that sees the value our community club would bring to their competition.
“The advocacy and engagement we undertook to enter the KDFNL clearly demonstrates a gap within the system where no matter what you present as a club, your future can be determined by other clubs with varying interests.
“There is a clear need for an overall AFL Victoria structural review to ensure that viable clubs aren’t forced into an untenable situation. We are not the first club and certainly won’t be the last to be put in this position.”
Despite Wednesday night’s decision, Welch stressed that the club’s football department would return to the playing field in 2025.
“Even though the football program itself on field is on pause, our off field is just ramping up,” she said.
“An elected working group, with support from the executive committee, will ensure our action plan is implemented now.
“We hope to have announcements as early as possible with regards to where we will be playing in 2025. We continue to be proactive.
“We are also working closer than ever with our junior club and are working towards some great initiatives to build stable and strong pathways for immediate and future generations.”
