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The club also confirmed its financial position, saying it remained within the average range for Geelong Football Netball League clubs.<\/p>\n
Lara will remain in the Geelong Football Netball League after applications to transfer to both the Bellarine Football Netball League and Geelong and District Football Netball League were rejected.<\/p>\n
But in a statement released following the meeting, the club said discussions are continuing with a \u201cpreferred competition\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process will continue over coming weeks, and the club looks forward to confirming its 2027 competition affiliation in the coming weeks,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
Clohesy said the recommended changes were significant but essential to rebuild the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about changing the structure of how the netball football club will work moving forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the stuff that has come through from the survey was that the club does not feel like someone\u2019s second home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s definitely some work that needs to be done on how that needs to be fixed and coordinated a lot better to have a better result.\u201d<\/p>\n
The planning group also acknowledged concerns around the club\u2019s junior program and declining numbers in recent years.<\/p>\n
With Lara\u2019s population expected to increase by an estimated 40 per cent by 2041, the group said change was needed now to ensure the club was able to support future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis moment is an opportunity to rebuild stronger, not just for this season, but for the generations of local families who will call Lara home in the years ahead,\u201d the club said in its statement.<\/p>\n
Lara Sporting Club board chair Lou Goodwin thanked the group for its work and committed to implementing the recommendations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hasn\u2019t always made for easy reading, but it has given our club a clear and credible path forward,\u201d Goodwin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLara has always been a club built by volunteers. Rebuilding it will take that same spirit again. If you love this club and what it can mean for our community, now is the time to step forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we will re-establish Lara Football and Netball Club as a key driver of sport in this community, for our kids, for our families and for generations still to come.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lara Football Netball Club has three months to prove it can rebuild after a major review identified cultural, governance and participation issues that must be addressed before its return to senior competition in 2027. The Lara Future Planning Group presented its recommendations to the club community on Tuesday evening. Established after the club withdrew its […]<\/p>\n