By DAVID NAGEL
CLUBS in the Casey Cardinia Football Netball League (CCNFL) are standing firm as they seek a withdrawal of membership from their governing body, the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL), which trades as PCN Sports Alliance.
In an unprecedented show of no confidence, the clubs have cited poor communication, a lack of trust, exorbitant fees, poor strategic direction and a lack of service and attention as some of the reasons why they are looking to break free from PCNSA and govern their own competition in 2015.
The clubs – Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne, Doveton, Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Pakenham, ROC and Tooradin – sent a letter to PCNSA on 2 October requesting a special general meeting to gain exemption from MPNFL Rule 14.1, which states 12 months’ notice must be given of a club’s intention to resign.
In response to the letter, PCNSA invited all 18 presidents, from football and netball, to a meeting to discuss the clubs’ grievances. The invitation has been unanimously declined, PCNSA now having until 23 October to conduct the meeting with clubs, where the PCN board will vote to either deny or grant the exemption.
If granted, the clubs will be free to go but, in the more likely case the request is denied, grievance and dispute mediation with the Department of Justice would take place and the clubs would likely appeal the decision with AFL Vic Country.
Spokesman for the clubs, Narre Warren president Kahl Heinze, said the clubs were united in their cause.
“We felt strongly enough to remove our club hats and put our league hats on for the betterment and growth of football in Casey Cardinia,” he said.
“As a group – and that’s all of the football and netball clubs combined – we are unanimous in expressing our extreme dissatisfaction with the level of service and attention we have received from the MPNFL.”
PCNSA chief executive officer Jeff Jones admits he had heard whispers of discontent but was not expecting the level of action.
“It is a little bit surprising, to be full-blown to this level,” Mr Jones said.
It’s understood PCNSA’s decision to be the only governing football body in Victoria not signed up to one of the 13 AFL Regional Commissions has also put it off side with the clubs and put noses out of place at a higher level.
