Old Paradians are set to leave the Victorian Amateur Football Association after 94 long years.
Members of the club’s committee met with the board of the Northern Football League on Tuesday, September 12 to present the official application to admit the Paradians into the NFL for 2024. The presentation incorporated all aspects of the sub-committee’s recommendations, along with additional reasons why both the league and club would be beneficial for each other.
Following the meeting, the NFL board met to discuss what had been presented.
The board subsequently voted unanimously to endorse the application.
Now, a special general meeting of the NFL clubs will take place in mid-October, who will vote on the application.
Player retention and recruiting were amongst the main reasons for the Bundoora-based clubs willingness to change leagues.
The club has been thinking about a move since 2019 but it had been put on the back burner due to COVID-19 disruptions.
President Simon Vincent said it was not an easy decision but one that needed to be made.
“We all feel the weight of 94 years of VAFA history on our shoulders, but despite all that, we feel this is the right move for the future viability and prosperity of our club,” he said.
“It was expected that this recommendation would enact an emotional response.
“We’re confident that the current committee has the best interests of the club and its future at heart.
”The history of the club doesn’t change, and our culture of inclusivity and community has stood the test of time.
“We are all excited to be bringing that culture to the NFNL, and welcoming more people into the vast OP community.”
The VAFA said via a statement on its website that is is extremely disappointed to for a club like Old Paradians chose to depart the competition.
