Tara Murray
Rupertswood Football Netball Club’s move to the Essendon District Football League has been approved.
The EDFL announced on their website on Wednesday night confirming that the move had been approved by AFL Victoria.
The Riddell District Football Netball League voted against the Sharks leaving the competition, resulting in a panel hearing by AFL Victoria.
“We’d like to formally welcome Rupertswood as the EDFL’s 36th club,” League chief executive Ian Kyte said on the EDFL website.
“Rupertswood is a strong club comprising of senior football, junior football and netball teams and we very much look forward to seeing them compete across all of our competitions from season 2021.”
In the EDFL release, Sharks president Brad Pietromonaco said the club was excited about joining the EDFL.
The Sharks, who won the senior football and A-grade netball RDFNL premierships in 2019, had fielded senior teams in that competition since 2013, having had junior sides previously play in the competition.
RDFNL president Brenton Knott said they were disappointed by the outcome.
’The Riddell District Football Netball League received notification from AFL Victoria last night that the league’s objection to the transfer of Rupertswood FNC to the Essendon District Football League was dismissed,” Knott said.
“The RDFNL is extremely disappointed with the decision of AFL Victoria given the timing after requesting stability during a global pandemic.
“The RDFNL clubs and board have been aware of Rupertswood’s desire to transfer league’s for sometime and are prepared for 2021 without them. “The league will continue on with the nine senior and 15 junior club’s and will get past this disappoint and look forward to returning to community football and netball in 2021.’’
Further details about Rupertswood FNC’s admission into the EDFL, including which division the club will be in is still to be finalised.
MORE TO COME.
