A new senior structure and a move in the junior age groups are the two big changes recommended under the AFL Riverina Competitions Review.
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AFL Riverina clubs packed two forums in Leeton and Wagga on Sunday as independent consultant David Burgess handed down his recommendations as part of the year-long AFL Riverina Competitions Review.
The 22-page report has 14 recommendations to be implemented across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, if approved by the AFL NSW-ACT executive and AFL Riverina board.
The review recommends a new 'club criteria tiered model' for the senior competitions, comprising of Premier, Platinum, Community and Platinum 18s to be introduced in 2021.
The new model is designed to ensure club growth and sustainability where it allow clubs the room to grow and add more teams, or field purely a standalone team and retain their identity.
Burgess has also recommended that junior age groups return to under 12, 14 and 16, with under 18 to be the entry point to seniors.
Other notable recommendations were:
- Establish new clubs in areas with population growth
- Encourage same day competition
- Fully integrate female football competitions within AFL Riverina
AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons believes the review provides clear direction for the future.
"These recommendations provide AFL Riverina with a plan to manage current and future challenges that our clubs and competitions face and to ensure that AFL Riverina has viable and sustainable competitions in the future," Irons said.
"The recommendations are designed to ensure club sustainability and continue to support and grow our great game in the Riverina and MIA for many years to come.
"We hope the clubs take the opportunity to assess their future direction and opportunities and we will be there to support clubs in undertaking that assessment. The release of the recommendations is not the end of a process but another step in the planning process for the future."
Clubs now have a two-week window to supply written submissions on the proposed recommendations before the AFL NSW-ACT executive and AFL Riverina board vote.
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