The Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) Board has accepted a transfer request from the Port Melbourne Colts Football Club (PMCFC) to move from the Western Region Football League.
The SFNL Football Operations Portfolio met with representatives from the PMCFC recently to assess the transfer application and a recommendation was then made to the SFNL Board to accept the club.
AFL Victoria has since approved the club transfer and PMCFC will be graded into Division 2 in 2016, with the final competition structure for Division 2 and Division 3 to be determined in the coming weeks.
Located in the southern region, SFNL Chief Executive Officer David Cannizzo said that the transfer will allow PMCFC to nurture its junior pathway with the Port Colts Junior Football Club.
“The SFNL are delighted to welcome Port Melbourne Colts into our competition as this will mean the club can capitalise on its already solid alignment with its junior club,” Cannizzo said.
“From the league’s perspective, having Port Melbourne Colts join our competition will no doubt result in a greater depth of overall playing talent and pleasingly the SFNL continues to grow in clubs and teams.”
Excited for the future of their club, PMCFC president Ben Brown said the opportunities will be vast competing in the SFNL.
“The Port Melbourne Colts are extremely excited by the opportunities this move creates for our football club,” Brown said.
“The move into the SFNL wasn't taken lightly. The long term strategy and sustainability of our club is at the forefront of the decision making and most notable is the strong pathway it creates for our junior program who currently participate in the SMJFL.
“Our time in the West was one of great success and we have left a significant imprint on the league, but now we are looking forward to creating a new chapter in the history of the club, essentially back where it all began.”
The SFNL are also currently in discussions with Lyndhurst Football and Netball Club regarding the possibility of establishing a senior section to its club. Should their player numbers be strong enough, it is a possibility the club could play in Division 3 in 2016.
