Australian Football League Commission Chairman, Richard Goyder, has written a public letter to all football supporters, confirming the AFL support for state league and community football.
In the letter dated 31st March 2020, Goyder states: “I want to assure you the AFL Commission and Executive, led by myself and Gillon McLachlan, will protect our game at all levels.
“From the 18 AFL clubs, to the 14 AFLW teams, to state leagues and the community game, footy will be back when it is the right time to be back.”
He went on to say: “Our commitment is to protect the long-term viability of our game at all levels.”
AFL CEO Gil McLachlan has backed these statements up, proclaiming his support for the state league competitions on radio interviews last week.
AFL GM Football, Steve Hocking, has also added his voice to the issue in a Herald Sun interview today.
“I reckon I’ve been pretty clear on how important state leagues are. They are super important to the future of the game,” Hocking said.
Coburg GM Sebastian Spagnuolo said that it was great to receive support for the state league competitions from the three key industry leaders (Goyder, McLachlan and Hocking).
“With the 2020 VFL season currently suspended, we understand that there has been media speculation about the short and long term future of the VFL, the recent public messaging from the AFL and the supportive nature of the comments made should help put all Coburg FC and VFL fans’ minds at ease and give great assurance that our club and our competition will continue to be supported by the AFL” Spagnuolo said.
“Together with the other stand alone clubs, we continue to have regular dialogue with the AFL, and will keep our members updated on any further developments.”
To read the full letter please click here.
The AFL CEO’s radio interview can also be listened to via this link
