Gisborne’s route to leaving the Bendigo Football Netball League has hit a roadblock, with the Bendigo league appealing the transfer request.
As reported by Star Weekly, Gisborne club members voted overwhelming in favour of leaving the Bendigo league to join the Ballarat Football Netball League.
It came after Ballarat clubs also voted in favour of the Bulldogs making the move.
The Bendigo league announced on Wednesday night that it will be appealing the recent transfer request from Gisborne.
“The BFNL remains steadfast in believing that the Gisborne FNC is an integral part of the League’s competition and community and is committed to pursuing all available avenues to ensure the club’s continued participation in the BFNL,” the Bendigo league said in a statement.
“The BFNL has a responsibility to safeguard the strength, stability and sustainability of the League and given Gisborne FNC’s reputation within the BFNL, we believe their ongoing involvement is important to the health of our clubs, players, volunteers and supporters.
“The BFNL will continue to follow the relevant AFL Victoria processes.”
Gisborne president Tony Brancatisano previously said that he hoped that the Bendigo league would respect the club’s wishes to move competitions.
“Why keep someone in the competition that doesn’t want to be there?” he said. “The club is owned by the players and members,” he said after the Gisborne vote.
“We’ve given them a solid 25 years. They need to look north for teams.”
Brancatisano said while the rest of the process played out, they were focused on trying to get some on field success.
