AFL Darling Downs is again officially overseen by just one body, with the constituent clubs unanimously voting in favour of amalgamating the junior & senior leagues at Monday night’s board meeting.
The two associations had been operating under a trial merger in 2013, allowing one unified direction for Australian Football across the region.
AFL Darling Downs first formed in 1971, with official junior competition beginning in the 1990’s. In 1994 the AFL Darling Downs Juniors were officially formed, allowing the differing needs of junior and senior football to be individually addressed.
Over the past 5 years, a number of new clubs have formed each with an emphasis on providing playing opportunities for both junior and senior players. The existing clubs have also worked hard to ensure opportunities for all, to the point of 11 of the 12 clubs across the region have one body covering junior, senior and now Women’s football.
This has meant that each individual club has one goal, to promote football no matter your age, and now the league reflects that unified decision also.
Having one league to administer the game on the Darling Downs is a natural progression, according to AFLDD/J President, Andrew Foley.
“Since 2012 we have had one strategic plan for the development of the sport on the Downs. This was done because clubs agreed that we need to think about how we are developing the sport as a whole, not just component bits of it. Having one league further strengthens that focus", he said.
"As a sport in this region, we are not big enough to have division in the ranks, so I think it’s a great step forward for the future”, Foley said.
Although this is a decision which will not directly affect many people involved in AFL on the Downs, it is one which will continue to see it grow and expand into the future.
In 2013 the competition grew nearly 20% with two new clubs in Chinchilla & the South Burnett, along with the introduction of the inaugural Women’s league.
2014 is already set to expand even further with clubs already planning on fielding new youth and Reserves sides, along with the likely expansion of the Women’s competition from 3 teams to 10.
To get involved with your local club, head to the ‘Clubs’ tab on the website.
Last Modified on 14/11/2013 09:45
