Football-netball leagues to share admin services

A GROUNDBREAKING administrative services sharing agreement between the neighbouring Heathcote District and Loddon Valley football-netball leagues is being hailed as an exciting new chapter in the history of both organisations.

Under the unique arrangement, administration of the HDFNL and LVFNL will be managed by private entity Central Victoria Sports Administration (CVSA), led by respected and long-serving football-netball administrator Laura Naughton.

Naughton – a former AFL Central Victoria finance manager and Loddon Valley league manager – brings with her extensive experience across league operations, football and netball administration, financial management, facilities development, compliance, governance, events management and strategic planning.

She was most recently employed by the Loddon Shire Council as a recreation officer.

In line with the AFL Victoria Regional Administration Centre (RAC) Strategies Project, the sharing arrangement is designed to strengthen league operations, enhance governance capability and support the long-term sustainability of both competitions as they transition to league self-management.

HDFNL chair Rodney Stephens said the agreement represented a positive step forward for the league.

“The HDFNL board is pleased to have CVSA on board,” he said.

“Following Jan Mannes’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2025 season, the board was unsure of how the administration of the league would end up going forward.

“We think this arrangement will work well for HDFNL.”

Stephens’s sentiments were echoed by LVFNL chair Richard Hicks.

“In response to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding changes to the RAC forecast issued by AFL Victoria, the Loddon Valley Football Netball League board has considered its future administrative requirements,” he said.

“Accordingly, the board is looking forward to engaging the services and resources of Central Victorian Sports Administration moving forward.

“This decision is aimed at ensuring stability, continuity and effective governance during a period of transition.

“Laura Naughton has built a fantastic reputation in sports administration and we are excited to be working collaboratively with CVSA in strengthening the LVFNL into the future.”

Unveiled late last year, the AFL Victoria RAC Strategies Project will see Victorian community football bodies transition out of centralised league administration or RACs – more commonly known as hubs – and into a new localised operations and administration structure that meets the needs of each football body.

AFL Central Victoria has vowed full support for the transition and will continue to work closely with both leagues and CVSA, alongside AFL Victoria, to ensure continuity, stability and strong outcomes for clubs, participants and volunteers throughout the change process.

As part of the structural changes, current league manager Kyle Smith will cease his role as LVFNL league manager, having started in June 2024.

His former HDFNL counterpart Jan Mannes announced her retirement late last year after an extended period of service to the league.

AFL Central Victoria regional manager Cameron Tomlins joined the HDFNL and LVFNL in thanking Mannes and Smith for their dedication and commitment to their leagues, clubs and volunteers, and wished them both well in their future endeavours.

“As local service delivery arrangements evolve, AFL Central Victoria will remain a strong and consistent presence across the region,” he said.

“The Central Victoria region will continue to be led by the experienced and skilled Regional Council, responsible for managing region-specific matters delegated by AFL Victoria and leading the strategic direction of football and netball across Central Victoria.

“This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment by AFLCV, HDFNL, LVFNL and CVSA to delivering high-quality administration, strong governance, and a sustainable future for community football and netball.”

Further information regarding the transition and operational arrangements will be communicated directly with clubs and key stakeholders in due course.