THE AFL is failing country football, according to country club presidents from across the state. From the 155 presidents who completed a Herald Sun survey on country footy, four distinct issues emerged.
For those that gave their thoughts on how the AFL could do more for clubs, country club presidents called for:
AN OVERHAUL of the TAC Cup system that they say has robbed clubs of local talent.
A REDUCTION in the price of Auskick, which they say is too high and is forcing families away from the game.
MORE grants for facilities and equipment given the AFL received almost $800 million in broadcast rights in 2006.
GREATER support for volunteers who run the clubs as they become more like businesses.
In direct contrast to ill-feeling directed towards the game's top body, 79 per cent of club presidents said they are happy with the way their local league is being run.
Presidents questioned how the AFL could afford to fund the new Gold Coast and Western Sydney teams and make almost $800 million in broadcast rights while they struggle to keep their facilities in order.
A total of 43 per cent of presidents felt their club's facilities were not up to scratch.
Many clubs want a grant scheme to be implemented, while others simply asked for memorabilia that could be auctioned, with profits going towards basic equipment such as new footballs.
Almost 90 per cent of presidents said they spent more time running their club now than they did five years ago, yet 55 per cent of clubs said they did not pay a single employee.
Clubs called on the AFL to provide more training for the volunteers who help run the grassroots clubs.
Victorian Country Football League chief executive Glenn Scott said the AFL provided fantastic support for country clubs.
"The AFL can be much maligned," Scott said.
"But they run the biggest and best game in the country and that has a trickle-down effect to a lot of kids who wanting to play they game and a lot of people wanting to go to the sport."
The TAC Cup was a major point of contention.
Murray League club Barooga was one of many to call for an overhaul of the competition that they say robs them of home-grown talent for little compensation.
President Mick Butler said the TAC Cup could end after the national championships, allowing the kids to return to their local clubs for what is an important time, not just in football development, but education as well.
"It's a nice balance, I think," Butler said.
"I think we need to do the right thing by the most important stakeholders in all of this, and that's the actual boys themselves.
"I would have thought that this particular modified system is best for everybody."
The cost of Auskick also raised the ire of some clubs.
Balranald football club president Jeff Mannix said his club, based in the Central Murray League, often had to subsidise the costs of clinics just to keep boys and girls attending.
It costs between $50-$65 annually to participate.
"Even if we can cut it down to half, that makes it a bit easier on the families," Mannix said.
The struggle to attract players to the local club is not just a small-town problem.
The Ballarat Football Club, last season's Ballarat league premier, has a population of 88,000 to draw upon.
But club president Shane Manley said it could not sustain a full complement of senior, reserve and junior teams.
Manley said it was natural for reserves players to look elsewhere for a senior game.
"It could well be judged as a cyclical thing, but we believe it could be a long-term problem," Manley said.
By Matt Windley
Article first appeared The Herald Sun, August 22, 2009
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