Lara’s struggles a warning for growing sporting region, says review chair

THE chair of the Lara Football Netball Club Future Planning Group says clubs across the region must learn from the Cats’ struggles as population growth puts pressure on local sporting pathways.

The planning group was established after Lara withdrew its senior men’s football and A-grade netball teams from the 2026 season to investigate the club’s challenges and develop a pathway back to senior competition.

Phil Clohesy said he is confident Lara can rebuild following the review, but warned other clubs should take note of the issues identified.

The report found culture was one of the club’s biggest challenges, including a lack of connection between the football and netball programs and the junior pathway.

“If clubs are disappearing in this region, then administrators would need to have a long hard look at themselves,” Clohesy said.

“This region has got massive growth and that can’t be in parallel with a reduction in teams and club sizes. There should be new clubs continuing to spring up.”

Clohesy said junior clubs are essential in growth areas and should be supported to develop into senior pathways where needed.

With Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast among the fastest-growing areas in Victoria, he said strong sporting clubs are vital.

“The broader picture is community,” he said.

“Wins and losses are very important, but equally, the main goal in my mind is not premierships. It’s about having a really vibrant, active club that’s doing wonderful things for its people, its community.”

Clohesy encouraged clubs across the AFL Barwon region and beyond to view Lara’s experience as a learning opportunity.

He said the club’s willingness to acknowledge its challenges and seek help had been critical in moving forward.

Alongside cultural issues, the report highlighted the need for stronger systems, leadership and unity.

“In the report, we talk about systems and people, and systems are simple,” Clohesy said.

“It takes people to get everything operating and to embrace the systems as a single focused unit.

“That’s what they’re doing right now. It’s been restructuring and getting the people around it all.”

The report recommended governance, cultural and operational reforms, while setting benchmarks Lara must meet to return to senior competition in 2027.

Clohesy said the go/no-go deadline was critical to provide certainty for players, coaches and the wider football community.

To return in 2027, Lara must secure at least 45 registered senior players, appoint a coaching panel, confirm its league affiliation and elect a new committee by 1 October.

“Deadlines really inspire people, I think, and motivate them to roll their sleeves up and get into it,” Clohesy said.