The Courier |
FORMER Central Highlands Football League president Alan Barr has joined the growing chorus of supporters backing a two-division split.
Barr, who stepped down after two years in the role at the end of the 2011 season, said it had always been his preference to shy away from an 18-team competition.
“My opinion has not varied and I think we should be moving forward to a two-tier competition to give everyone a chance of success in some way,” Barr said.
Barr was president at the time Carngham-Linton, Illabarook, Rokewood-Corindhap and Skipton joined the Central Highlands from the defunct Lexton Plains league.
“At the time the four new clubs came into the league and this was suggested, I was in favour of it then and so was the Victorian Country Football League, as Brett Anderson (current AFL Vic Country area manager) has already mentioned,” he said.
“These same clubs that have been vocal about it now were the same clubs that were against it then.
“Some because they didn’t like the idea of being in what was perceived as a second division and some thought it would be a good percentage builder with these sides in one division.”
Barr, who spent a total of five years on the CHFL committee, said he hated seeing clubs suffer.
“They now have an issue that could see clubs fold and I am sure that is not the best option all round,” he said.
“I probably shouldn’t comment, however, I would hate to see any clubs fade away as they are all proud clubs, run by hard-working, proud people.
“I just hope this can be resolved in the best interests of all CHFL clubs.”
The conversation about splitting the competition to aid competitiveness was sparked by former Rokewood-Corindhap coach Jason Hutchins early last week following the Grasshoppers’ 187-point loss to Daylesford.
The Bulldogs had another devastating win on the weekend, trouncing Illabarook by 198 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
