Three teams to leave NEAFL
The AFL has announced several changes to the format of the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL), as part of the ongoing process to ensure long-term focus on increased competition standard and enhanced talent pathways remains the foremost priority of the league.
Following the structural changes implemented ahead of the 2014 season, there has been ongoing consultation with all of the participating clubs to ensure the League’s continued development as a second-tier Australian Football competition in New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and the ACT.
As a result of this consultation process, three clubs from NSW and the ACT – Queanbeyan, Belconnen and Sydney Hills Eagles – have opted not to continue as licence holders for the remainder of their three year agreement.
All three clubs have cited the financial challenges involved in order to remain competitive within an increasingly improved standard of competition.
AFL National Second Tier Manager Simon Laughton said the priority for the league was to maintain the high standards that were established prior to the 2014 season.
“When we re-structured the NEAFL competition in 2013 we wanted to ensure clubs would continue to reach high standards of performance on-field; and concurrently to be professional, well run, financially viable organisations off-field,” Laughton said.
“We are committed to this process, and will support clubs to strive to achieve the high standards befitting an elite second-tier competition.”
AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Craig Bolton said that clubs would be supported through their transition period back to community football.
“These three clubs have made a tremendous contribution to the NEAFL competition, and we would like to thank them for their efforts,” Bolton said.
“Each of the clubs remains an important part of the community football landscape, and we will assist them wherever possible with this transition process.
Queanbeyan Tigers AFC Chairman Bob Gibbs thanked the AFL for the opportunity to participate in the competition.
“Based on the criteria that is required of clubs participating in the NEAFL, Queanbeyan will unfortunately no longer be able to take part in the competition moving forward,” said Gibbs.
“Thank you for the football experiences afforded to our club and in particular those players who have been fortunate enough to be a part of NEAFL.”
Belconnen Magpies President Scott Reid said it was disappointing to leave the competition after being the most successful team over the last decade.
“Our time in the NEAFL competition has given our players and officials the opportunity to match themselves against AFL clubs and the best teams on the eastern seaboard.
“The NEAFL has given us the opportunity to develop some strong young talent both on and off the field.
We look forward to continuing our long and successful association with AFL Canberra in providing a vibrant and competitive competition for the whole region to enjoy.”
The NEAFL is the premier development league in Australia’s northern and eastern regions, providing player talent to the relevant state leagues along with the associated AFL clubs.
The NEAFL was introduced in 2011 and is currently made up of clubs from Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Canberra and the Northern Territory.
It provides an elite second-tier competition for reserves sides from AFL clubs in New South Wales and Queensland, the Sydney Swans, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS, the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS.
