Last night Banyule Amateur Football Club members voted in favour of a decision to leave the VAFA at the conclusion of the 2014 season, seeking a move to the Northern Football League.
Whilst there is still a formal process to go through, the immediate reaction out of VAFA HQ was one of disappointment as VAFA CEO Michael Sholly told vafa.com.au.
“We are disappointed at the decision taken by the members of Banyule Football Club last night. They have been a strong community-based club in the VAFA since they were established in 1980 from a junior club. We are proud of the way we have fostered them from that junior club to become a successful senior club in our competition” Sholly said.
“We believe the VAFA offers a viable alternative for football clubs that wish to remain amateur and whilst the short term view of a move to a professional league might seem like an attractive proposition, we would remind all clubs of the long term sustainability of that model.”
Banyule President Joe Amalfi confirmed the decision was only the first step in their proposed move, but was nevertheless effusive in his praise for the VAFA.
“I have the utmost respect for the VAFA, they have been fantastic to us as a club in my time as President” Amalfi said.
“It’s been a difficult thing to look at and whether it’s the right or wrong call, time will tell, but we had to do something, if we didn’t then there might not have been a Banyule Football Club.”
“In the past three years we have lost more than 40 players to paid competitions, as soon as you climb up the grades in the VAFA, you lose many of your better players and this has an effect on the rest of the club.”
“We now have to apply to transfer to the Northern Football League and they may vote against our move, I know there are a couple of clubs that are not in favour of us joining the NFL” said Amalfi.
A source at the meeting last night expanded further by suggesting it was not about players wanting money to play but it was more about the reluctance of young footballers to travel to play in all parts of Melbourne.
Banyule are not the first club to seek a move away and there are clubs that are keen to join the VAFA too. Whether it be the retention of players, or the search for success, clubs will do what feels right at that period in their history.
Sholly added that “The VAFA is a competition that allows clubs to find their level. With our promotion and relegation system there are more opportunities for success and, as footballers, VAFA clubs offer the chance to enjoy this success with your mates and play for the love of the game.”
A decision on the potential make up of VAFA sections should Banyule be granted a transfer will be made at the conclusion of the season.
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