The Western Region Football League Board has accepted a transfer request from the Port Melbourne Colts Football Club (PMCFC) to play in the Southern Football Netball League (SNFL) in 2016.
The decision was resolved at the league’s Board meeting on Monday night after receiving notification from PMCFC President, Ben Brown that his committee had made an application to play in the SFNL Division Two competition next season.
Located outside of the defined western region area, league chief executive Bob Tregear said that the decision will allow the club to redevelop its junior foundation.
“The league has been aware for several years of the demographic challenges confronting PMCFC, particularly in recent years with the erosion of its junior team base.
“Its neighbouring junior football club competes in the South Metro Junior Football League and a high number of children in and around the Port Melbourne area are involved in school-based football programs in the south-eastern suburbs.”
While the WRFL Board acknowledges it would have preferred the opportunity for PMCFC to phase out its membership in the WRFL over the next few years, it recognised that the transfer to SFNL was inevitable and in the best long-term interests of football.
“The on-field performances of the PMCFC senior teams in the WRFL Division One competition have slipped markedly in recent years as the traditional port-based market for players has dried up and there has been no junior base to provide new senior players,” Tregear said.
“While it’s disappointing to lose a club, the Board believes that this transfer will allow the club to re-establish itself in the SFNL and wishes the club well for the future.”
The transfer will result in a nine-team structure for the WRFL Division One competition in 2016, with each club playing every other club twice and each having two bye rounds over the course of the season.
The Division Two competition structure will see seven teams competing in 2016, while Division Three will remain with the current eight-team format.
Last Modified on 22/09/2015 16:21