ENSURING all clubs return to filling a full quota of teams next year is one of the priorities for new Bendigo Football-Netball League manager Cameron Tomlins.
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Tomlins has this week started in the role of BFNL manager, taking over the position vacated by Denis Bice in February.
“Coming from a country background, I understand the meaning of football-netball to our communities and that it’s more than just a game for those who come out on a weekend to support their clubs and town’s history,” Tomlins said on Wednesday.
“I’m really excited and privileged for the opportunity I have been given and moving forward am looking forward to being that key link between the clubs and league. I know there’s issues out there and it’s about getting in, working through them and moving forward into next year and beyond.”
One of the challenges for the league this year has been the inability for all clubs to fill a full quota of eight football and netball teams.
I know there’s issues out there and it’s about getting in, working through them
- Cameron Tomlins
The under-18 football competition is without Castlemaine or Maryborough; the A-grade netball is missing Castlemaine and Kyneton; Maryborough is absent in A-reserve netball and there is no Kyneton team in the 17-under netball.
That’s half the grades this year where clubs are unable to field teams, which Tomlins is keen to see rectified for next year and beyond.
“I hold the league in quite high regard… obviously there’s a few issues with the competitiveness of teams and that’s something I’m hoping that once I find my feet in the role we’ll be able to work on,” Tomlins said.
“We want to make sure that each club has a full roster of teams to get on the park next year. I’m not coming in to reinvent the wheel, but I’m hoping to bring in some fresh thoughts and look at things a different way and work with the clubs.
“Moving forward, we want all clubs to be rolling out a full complement of teams and I think it’s a high priority to get that happening.
“A lot of these clubs have long and proud historys and we want to help them to stick around.”
Tomlins’ footballing background includes stints playing at both South Bendigo and White Hills, as well as Nullawil in the Golden Rivers league.
Prior to his appointment as BFNL manager Tomlins ran BP’s Bendigo operations depot.
“I’ve spent a lot of my adult life in and around footy clubs and having the chance to, hopefully, have a positive impact in the role and give a bit back to the game is really appealing,” Tomlins said.
Tomlins’ first key event since taking on the role will be this weekend’s BFNL indigenous round in which the showcase game will be between Maryborough and Kyneton at Princes Park on Sunday.
Tomlins is one of two new employees to have started with AFL Central Victoria this week.
Also new to an AFLCV role is Jake McLean, who is the new junior football operations co-ordinator.
• BFNL round seven – Castlemaine v Gisborne, Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye, South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat, Sandhurst v Eaglehawk, Maryborough v Kyneton (Sunday).
