By DAVID NAGEL
CASEY Cardinia league clubs will vote tonight on whether to accept a proposal from their governing body to work together, or continue their push to become an independent league in 2015.
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL), which trades as PCN Sports Alliance (PCNSA), put forward its proposal at a special meeting with the clubs, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne, Doveton, Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Pakenham, ROC and Tooradin.
The proposal is in response to the clubs’ stunning show of no confidence in the league which grew stronger throughout the season. Here’s a recap on the story so far.
1. Meeting once every six weeks during the 2014 season, the nine CCFL presidents shared ideas but, importantly, the airing of individual club grievances saw the club’s relationship with PCNSA wane.
2. The clubs compiled a combined list of grievances against PCNSA, which included poor communication, a lack of trust, exorbitant fees, poor strategic direction and a lack of service and attention to the CCFL clubs.
3. The clubs 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 from the league.
4. In response to the letter, PCNSA invited all 18 presidents, to a meeting to discuss the clubs’ grievances, but the invitation was unanimously declined.
5. PCNSA met with AFL Victoria Country, raising concerns on the impact on its operations going forward. AFL Vic Country then played mediator, coercing the clubs into meeting with PCNSA to listen to their plans of going forward.
6. PCNSA made a special presentation to the CCFNL clubs last week -responding to the list of grievances- putting a proposal forward in the first sign of negotiation since the clubs expressed their dissatisfaction with the league and its operations.
7. The CCFNL presidents will meet tonight (Thursday 6 November) to vote on PCNSA’s proposal. If the presidents back PCNSA, the clubs and league have a future, but a no vote will see the clubs continue to seek a withdrawal from PCNSA, who will have to vote on whether to grant or deny the clubs their request for exemption from rule 14.1.
That vote, if required, is expected to take place on Monday night.
