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I think you'll find they put in the work. Maybe, perhaps, could be, possibly..... .....the case wasn't that compelling. Plus many were more than a little miffed at the process.
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SFL – MSJFL proposed merger. Has the VAFA been stiffed?
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I think you'll find they put in the work. Maybe, perhaps, could be, possibly..... .....the case wasn't that compelling. Plus many were more than a little miffed at the process.
The moral of this story is that you can't just tell people what you think is good for them and expect they'll simply follow along like sheep.
I'm still not sure exactly how the VAFA could possibly assume the role of chief operator of the MSJFL, and therefore doubt the proposed merger of the juniors with the SFL will be replaced by a merger with the VAFA.
Chances are the Code Report's alternative consideration of the shared VAFA/SFL management model for the MSJFL will now be considered as plan B.
That sky is still hangingup there somewhere, and the future of VAFA umpires is now on firmer ground.
Phew!
I'm still not sure exactly how the VAFA could possibly assume the role of chief operator of the MSJFL, and therefore doubt the proposed merger of the juniors with the SFL will be replaced by a merger with the VAFA.
Chances are the Code Report's alternative consideration of the shared VAFA/SFL management model for the MSJFL will now be considered as plan B.
That sky is still hangingup there somewhere, and the future of VAFA umpires is now on firmer ground.
Phew!
superfreak
Premiership Player
Me get my facts right? Hmm. If you did some research you would know that the EBJFC and EBFC don't exactly get along. Bit like the Allies and the Taliban. They hate each other. The EBJFC were always going to vote the opposite to the EBFC, no surprise there.
As I said, I never expected the vote to get up, too many clubs with their heads in the sand as to what may happen down the track. When they are left without a league to play in and have to travel all over Melbourne each Sunday they may realise the chance they have blown.
As for the 'worst comp in the metro area'....haha. Another person living 5 years in the past.
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- #204
A few thoughts Snipe - in no particular sequence.
* There are enough MSJFL clubs around who know that contrary to the lines emanating from the SFL , the VAFA has been a great friend of the MSJFL over the years and felt they had been unreasonably treated in this process. Incidentally, the VAFA administration was also extremely helpful to the SFL when it was going through tough times due largely to a close association between Phil Stevens and Kingsley Ellis.
* The proposal was more a takeover than a merger.
* Suggestions that the southern football should be the preserve of the SFL was shown to be a fiction as the VAFA actually have more teams running around in the region than does the SFL, yet it was effectively dealt out of the process.
* There are many conservative people around the halls of power at the VAFA who don’t have a progressive bone in their body and just see the VAFA rolling along as it is. As Scribe wrote somewhere it has always been a senior competition so let’s leave it at that. After all there’s the APS.
Which, incidentally, has no direct affiliation to the VAFA. * So while the other major competitions had developed close ties with junior leagues because they understand the clear benefits of a pathway for players, umpires, officials et al from U10 upwards it took the SFL manoeuvring itself into a position where it would subsume a junior league - a friend of the VAFA - to finally get a few progressives associated with VAFA to express some concern at the possible implications of the proposal and the process by which it was to be achieved.
* Credit to the SFL over recent years. It has dug itself out of a financial black hole. It has realised the need to think progressively and as such has gone about cleaning up the competition and re-organising it; realised the need for expansion and has gone ( and is going )about recruiting new clubs; appreciated the necessity for feeder teams for the future health and development of their league. It was the SFL who initiated the U18 comp which the VAFA copied and has now taken the initiative with the MSJFL proposal. Full credit to the progressive thinkers there for the way they have turned the competition around.
* The fact is, however, the VAFA has more teams participating in the SFL catchment area; has been a great friend of the MSJFL over the years; would be materially affected by the MSJFL being - in reality -subsumed by the SFL; yet was effectively dealt out of the process. Time for the VAFA to be more pro-active and progressive and shake itself out of the “we’ve only ever been a senior competition mentality".
End of rant.
superfreak
Premiership Player
Great post Ammo Man.
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Superfreak - any fair-minded poster would respect your passion for all things SFL and your generally balanced posting. But while there is an acceptance amongst most VAFA folk that the SFL have come a long way in recent years your comment “When they are left without a league to play in and have to travel all over Melbourne each Sunday they may realise the chance they have blown” is way over the top.
The SFL is not the saviour of football in the southern region. It’s true the current executive of the MSJFL needs a shake up but footy in this area is in pretty good shape. The VAFA being woken from its slumber on this issue is also a positive. The YJFL, with clubs from the EFL, NFL, VAFA plus its many junior only is a great example of a well run junior completion that does not need, want or rely on oversight from a senior body.
The SFL is not the saviour of football in the southern region. It’s true the current executive of the MSJFL needs a shake up but footy in this area is in pretty good shape. The VAFA being woken from its slumber on this issue is also a positive. The YJFL, with clubs from the EFL, NFL, VAFA plus its many junior only is a great example of a well run junior completion that does not need, want or rely on oversight from a senior body.
It might have just been the scare that the VAFA needed to take their blinkers off.
Don't know when the AFL Victoria nor the Southern Football League AGM will be on, but you can be certain that questions will be raised at both meeting about the handling of the merger issue. As I said before in one of my earlier posts, it's a bit of a shame 88.3 Southern FM doesn't have its footy shows back on-if only for 30 mins or more, so as not to upset the CMCA Cricket Show listeners-to discuss this issue. Also the respective footy records, the VAFA's The Amateur Footballer and the SFL's matchday program would be interesting reading come Round 1 of their respective competitions.
Sniper that might just sum it up, well said.
I think the SFL might've been confident-perhaps too overconfident-that the MSJFL clubs would vote for the merger, but didn't take into account that most of the stand-alone junior clubs would see that the Code Report proposing that the SFL merge with the MSJFL was seen more of a takeover rather than a genuine merger, in which the SFL would dictate terms to the MSJFL clubs (ie MSJFL clubs must be aligned with a SFL club). Now it seems it's the SFL who's been shafted, this time by the MSJFL...with a little help from the VAFA.
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- #211
The VAFA "shafted" no one, Jase. Expecting to be treated in a fully inclusive manner when you're materially affected by a matter isn't unreasonable. Nor have the MSJFL clubs who have merely been acting in what they consider to be their best interests.
If the SFL is looking for someone to blame for the merger vote that didn't go through, instead of pointing the finger at the MSJFL, it really should be instead at AFL Victoria. AFL Victoria should've explained itself better as to why it wanted a senior league to merger with a junior league, when in actual fact AFL Victoria should've proposed a joint partnership between a senior league (ie VAFA) and a junior league (MSJFL) rather than a merger. A merger between the SFL and the MSJFL would never work.
I actually disagree, just because the merger was rejected doesn't mean it would have been a failure or successful for that matter. The fact is we may never know either way.
Rooster1979
Team Captain
If the MSJFL continue to struggle a merger / take over by the VAFA or SFL is inevitable. The area is too big for the league to simply be dissolved into the other junior leagues, most likely the DDJFL.
The problem I see with the league is it just isn't big enough to fund itself like the YJFL which is why AFL Victoria wanted it to merge rather than go the way of the WJFA
The problem I see with the league is it just isn't big enough to fund itself like the YJFL which is why AFL Victoria wanted it to merge rather than go the way of the WJFA
The vote was 16-10 against the merger. The SFL and AFL Victoria said in the Bayside Leader newspaper while they are disappointed in the result, they respect the wishes of the MSJFL. Interestingly enough, while the MSJFL executive supported the idea of a merger, the clubs voted against it.
I reckon a VAFA-MSJFL setup would be much better than the one proposed by AFL Victoria. The MSJFL would still keep their name without being sucked up by the SFL, and some of the stand-alone junior clubs might look at the VAFA and see it is better run and better organized than the SFL. Those stand-alone junior clubs might even entertain the idea of entering teams in the VAFA Under 18 comp as well.
Another thing, is that the VAFA as part of the agreement with the MSJFL (if it goes ahead) would be to have 3 or 4 MSJFL representatives on the VAFA Board. A joint partnership between the VAFA and the MSJFL would be a better idea than a merger.
Another thing, is that the VAFA as part of the agreement with the MSJFL (if it goes ahead) would be to have 3 or 4 MSJFL representatives on the VAFA Board. A joint partnership between the VAFA and the MSJFL would be a better idea than a merger.
Hear on the grapevine that someting big will be happening this week. Could it be that the SFL will start their own junior comp. if they do i hope they take Ajax with them.
Seniors as well? Wage bill could then be revealed.
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- #220
They've (SFL) have been applying pressure on a number of clubs to reverse their position. If they get to 16 they intend starting a junior comp with that number I'm told.
The AFL Vic are helping the push. If the story that Holdsworth is on the AFL payroll is accurate there's a clear conflict of interest methinks.
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Heard exactly the same thing from a junior club president on Sunday and it seems that pressure is certainly being applied. A very divisive move by the SFL and AFL Vic if this is correct. So much for respecting the wishes of the majority. As I have said along the MSJFL hierarchy needs a shake up but if the cost is diluting junior football in the area by creating 2 separate competitions then that is not great outcome. Meeting at East Malvern JFC tonight. Incidently the president of EM juniors is on the board at the SFL. Another coincidence perhaps?
Rooster1979
Team Captain
Always back self interest.
If the SFL beleive it is in their best interest to run a junior competition, which most people agree it is at the moment, why wouldn't they try to form one if they can't merge / absorb one.
If they get enough clubs, the others will be forced to follow in the end anyway. If the MSJFL is struggling now, what will it be like if the lose 30-50% of their clubs?
If the SFL beleive it is in their best interest to run a junior competition, which most people agree it is at the moment, why wouldn't they try to form one if they can't merge / absorb one.
If they get enough clubs, the others will be forced to follow in the end anyway. If the MSJFL is struggling now, what will it be like if the lose 30-50% of their clubs?
BrianSpeaking
Cancelled
Here you go lads, official perspective from our new club president.
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers News
Proposed merger of MSJFL & SFL Rejected
Some of our junior families have expressed concern and possible implications relating to articles that have appeared in the local papers reporting a possible merger of the Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League (MSJFL) and the Southern Football League (SFL). These same articles also mentioned possible involvement by the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). The Committee wishes to clarify the situation for our Members in order to avoid confusion.
The proposal has been rejected by MSJFL clubs at a recently convened meeting.
The MSJFL Executive has appointed a committee to look at future development of the MSJFL and its administration and this committee is underway.
The MSJFL is a strong viable body, it is financially sound and continues to grow.
The VAFA's involvement was to assist the MSJFL to stay as an independent body.
The VAFA has offered to provide administration guidance and support but has no interest in taking over the running of the League. It wants the MSJFL to remain as an independent entity.
Prior to the vote, our Club communicated with all other MSJFL Clubs indicating that we would not support the proposed merger. An extract from that communication is provided below:
The St Bedes/Mentone Tigers AFC is of the view that the report/proposal does not give any consideration to the impacts that may occur at Club level and purely focuses on the League’s (MSJFL) administration. This is a major oversight. As a VAFA aligned club, we see direct negative impacts on our Club, our Association and, most importantly, the focus on junior football in our area that the MSJFL provides as an independent entity.
Our opinion is the recommendation is not in the best interests of the MSJFL as a competition, VAFA aligned clubs, nor stand alone junior MSJFL clubs.
The proposal’s primary aim is to strengthen the SFL as an organisation and to absorb the MSJFL competition. There are a number of short and long term risks for VAFA and stand alone junior clubs should this proposal succeed.
Any future improvement to the MSJFL day to day administration will come with associated costs which should and must be supported and funded by participating junior clubs. This improvement can be arrived at by the MSJFL as an independent league. To think that the SFL senior clubs will fund this is not a consideration.
Finally, and to reiterate…..Our Club's position is that we want the MSJFL to stay as an independent competition focused on junior football. We hope this addresses any questions that may have arisen.
Kind regards,
Seamus McGettigan
President
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers News
Proposed merger of MSJFL & SFL Rejected
Some of our junior families have expressed concern and possible implications relating to articles that have appeared in the local papers reporting a possible merger of the Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League (MSJFL) and the Southern Football League (SFL). These same articles also mentioned possible involvement by the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). The Committee wishes to clarify the situation for our Members in order to avoid confusion.
The proposal has been rejected by MSJFL clubs at a recently convened meeting.
The MSJFL Executive has appointed a committee to look at future development of the MSJFL and its administration and this committee is underway.
The MSJFL is a strong viable body, it is financially sound and continues to grow.
The VAFA's involvement was to assist the MSJFL to stay as an independent body.
The VAFA has offered to provide administration guidance and support but has no interest in taking over the running of the League. It wants the MSJFL to remain as an independent entity.
Prior to the vote, our Club communicated with all other MSJFL Clubs indicating that we would not support the proposed merger. An extract from that communication is provided below:
The St Bedes/Mentone Tigers AFC is of the view that the report/proposal does not give any consideration to the impacts that may occur at Club level and purely focuses on the League’s (MSJFL) administration. This is a major oversight. As a VAFA aligned club, we see direct negative impacts on our Club, our Association and, most importantly, the focus on junior football in our area that the MSJFL provides as an independent entity.
Our opinion is the recommendation is not in the best interests of the MSJFL as a competition, VAFA aligned clubs, nor stand alone junior MSJFL clubs.
The proposal’s primary aim is to strengthen the SFL as an organisation and to absorb the MSJFL competition. There are a number of short and long term risks for VAFA and stand alone junior clubs should this proposal succeed.
Any future improvement to the MSJFL day to day administration will come with associated costs which should and must be supported and funded by participating junior clubs. This improvement can be arrived at by the MSJFL as an independent league. To think that the SFL senior clubs will fund this is not a consideration.
Finally, and to reiterate…..Our Club's position is that we want the MSJFL to stay as an independent competition focused on junior football. We hope this addresses any questions that may have arisen.
Kind regards,
Seamus McGettigan
President
