CCFL to go it alone

Casey Cardinia clubs including Beaconsfield and Cranbourne are looking to distance themselves from the PCN. 126516 Picture: DONNA OATES

By DAVID NAGEL

CASEY Cardinia Football Netball League clubs will continue to seek a withdrawal from their governing body, PCN Sports Alliance, despite AFL Victoria Country’s attempts to play mediator between the two parties.
The CCFNL clubs have sent a list of their grievances to both AFL Vic Country and PCNSA, with AFL Vic Country Football Manager Brett Connell and AFL South East Region General Manager Jeremy Bourke meeting yesterday with PCNSA Chairman Stuart Gilchrist and CEO Jeff Jones to discuss the club’s issues.
But the clubs are standing firm, wanting nothing to do with PCNSA in 2015 as they look to break free and govern their own competition.
Points raised against PCNSA by the clubs include poor communication, a lack of trust, exorbitant fees, poor strategic direction and a general lack of service and attention.
PCNSA govern three leagues, Casey Cardinia, Nepean and Peninsula, and it’s understood AFL Vic Country’s intervention has come about after PCNSA raised concerns that the departure of the CCFNL clubs would have a serious impact on its operations going forward.
The ball is currently in PCNSA’s court in regards to the club’s withdrawal, with the nine clubs, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne, Doveton, Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Pakenham, ROC and Tooradin, waiting on an invitation to a special meeting where they will seek exemption from Rule 14.1, which states 12 months’ notice must be given of the club’s intention to resign from the league.