FOOTBALL’S top body has denied the Warrnambool and District league’s request to change junior age groups, just nine days out from round one.
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The league will be forced to run under 14.5 and under 17.5 competitions after AFL Western District ended months of conjecture on Wednesday.
AFL Western District in December announced the league was to switch to under 15s and under 18s – a move backed by clubs. But AFL Western District shelved controversial junior review recommendations last month, meaning the league was to stay with its former age groups, under 14.5s and under 17.5s.
The league then appealed the decision, which AFL Western District rejected on Wednesday.
WDFNL president Ken McSween said clubs were in favour of keeping the revised junior structure because it reduced the chance of Hampden league rivals poaching talented players.
McSween said several clubs had recruited with an understanding the league would field under 15 and under 18 competitions.
“As an executive, we’ll make overage permits available to clubs that have players affected by this decision,” he said.
“If clubs have recruited players prior to this decision, they will be eligible for an overage permit. If clearances are lodged after this, those players won’t be eligible for an overage permit.
“We don’t want kids affected in each grade to be displaced.”
McSween said the executive was disappointed in AFL Western District’s decision.
A statement said the commission considered the request, but denied it because consultation on the junior football review recommendations was a key focus in 2018.
It said the body consulted clubs in neighbouring leagues when considering the Warrnambool and District league’s request.
“The decision of the commission is that junior age groups remain the same for both leagues involved until the current junior football review process is complete,” region general manager Kate Williamson said.
