The Hampden league last night ushered in a new president as it revealed plans to take back its administration from AFLWD.
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Almost four years after AFLWD set up a regional administration centre, requiring all leagues to pay it for administration services, the Hampden league's board will now assume administration responsibility.
Outgoing league president Tim Mason, in his report to the annual general meeting, said the league would have three key positions - administration, finance and marketing and media - as part of taking back administration.
Mason stepped down after two years in the job because he had accepted a position with AFLWD.
Garry Perrett was elected president.
"Unfortunately for me I will be stepping down from my position on the board as I have taken a position with AFLWD," Mason wrote in his president's message.
"We have a great diverse board with many different skill sets, with the governance that is now in place I believe that this board will go from strength to strength.
"I take this opportunity to thank all the board members for their support to me as president.
"I have enjoyed working with you all, and hopefully I will be welcomed back one day."
Mason also thanked those he had worked with the past three years including club presidents, Umpires Associations, the South West Trainers Association, AFLWD and presidents of surrounding leagues.
Meanwhile, Mason revealed the Hampden league board would take responsibility for the administration of the HFNL.
"We are currently in the process of transitioning the administration from AFLWD to the HFNL and this will be fully transitioned before the start of the 2021 season," Mason wrote.
The structure will involve three key positions with all positions reporting to the board.
"Both AFLWD and the HFNL board believe through the course of the regional administration centre we have been able to develop many streamlined policies and procedures that enable the league to run the operations of the league more efficiently and cost effectively," Mason wrote.
"This will also enable AFLWD to focus on the regional strategy. AFLWD will still be responsible for monitoring salary caps, player points and tribunals."
The HFNL is also set to launch a new website and introduce an online record.
With the filming of all senior football games - an initiative that was to come in 2020 - fans will be able to access match replays and highlights.
The 2020 Hampden league senior season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The match of the round will be live-streamed in conjunction with a 3YB/Coast FM radio call.
All finals football matches will be filmed as will all netball grand finals.
The match review panel, which was to be introduced in 2020, will also come into effect in 2021.
"With the introduction of filming of senior games, we anticipate a reduction in the need for investigations and tribunal hearings," Mason wrote.
He noted the HFNL and AFLWD were exploring ways to film every HFNL grade of football and netball beyond 2021.
They are also looking at enabling the use of technology to ease the burden of administration on clubs and volunteers.
As expected, the HFNL posted a loss for season 2020.
Mason wrote the league was on track to achieve its budget before the pandemic hit.
"Due the efforts put in by the executive in season 2019, the league is in a position where it has been able to absorb these costs and is still in a viable proposition as per the auditor's report," Mason wrote.
"We are still able to invest into future projects that will improve our league and add greater value to our clubs, sponsors, and supporters."
According to the auditor's report the league recorded a loss of $32,712 after achieving a surplus of $43,354 in 2019.
The HFNL took $23,474 income, down $300,079 on 2019 ($323,553).
Most of the income, $19,025, came through grants. The league received no income from grants in 2019.
Mason noted the HFNL had received a grant to set up its new website.
The league spent $56,186 compared to $280,199 in 2019.