The final recommendations of the North West Structural Review were earlier this week presented to leagues and clubs located in the review catchment region.

The final recommendations follow the preliminary findings handed down in May and an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders that sought to understand and work through the challenges and consequences of these initial recommendations.

Through the consultation process it was evident that there was widespread acknowledgement from all stakeholders of a need for change and acceptance of the reasoning behind the preliminary recommendations.

After listening to feedback from clubs, the relevant region commissions and local football development staff will assist clubs in managing the changes forecast in the final recommendations and provide sufficient time for clubs to adapt prior to full implementation.

The final recommendations can be found in the complete report attached but include the following significant changes to be implemented in time for the 2016 season.

• The Mallee FL to be wound up at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
• Ouyen United and Walpeup Underbool to amalgamate and compete in the Sunraysia FNL.
• The Southern Mallee Giants to relocate into the Horsham District FNL.
• Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Woomelang Lascelles to amalgamate and compete in the Central Murray FNL with the AFL Wimmera Mallee Commission charged with directly overseeing the merger to ensure fairness (preferred option).
• If an amalgamation is unable to be completed before the 2016 season, the Panel recommends the two clubs remain as single entities in the short term and play in either the Golden Rivers FL or North Central FL in 2016.
• Wakool and Barham Koondrook to amalgamate and compete in the Central Murray FNL on the proviso that the clubs can formalise an agreement within the relevant time frame.

Further recommendations on the structure of junior football competitions can also be found in the attached document, along with a proposed minimum standards criteria for individual clubs that will be incorporated once the AFL Victoria Community Sustainability Program is implemented.

The Governing Panel formulating these recommendations acknowledge that the loss of the individual identity of clubs will negatively impact some people. However, these recommendations have been made in an attempt to provide a playing environment at the highest possible level locally, while also providing the continuation of a football club presence in these communities.

The Review was commissioned collectively by AFL Central Murray, AFL Central Victoria and AFL Wimmera Mallee as a result of continued uncertainty surrounding short term club viability within the present league structures.

The main objective of the panel was to provide a coordinated approach in reviewing all competition structures of community football in North West Victoria. It sought to ascertain the best long term competition structures that enhance the sustainability of clubs and leagues into the future.