Lara’s path back to senior competition revealed after review uncovers club-wide issues

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 senior men’s football and A-grade netball teams from the 2026 season, the group was tasked with investigating the issues behind the decision, addressing cultural and operational concerns, and creating a pathway back to senior competition.

Committee chair Phil Clohesy said the group had focused on building “evidence-based” recommendations following extensive consultation with club members.

A member survey revealed more than 60 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the club, a result Clohesy said was “not surprising and reinforced most of the things that we found”.

The survey also found 85 per cent of engaged members felt the club had no clear or visible mission, while significant distrust was identified towards the existing governance committee.

Clohesy said cultural issues within the club – particularly in the senior men’s football program – had developed over a quarter-century and required immediate action to rebuild a positive environment.

The planning group’s key recommendations included benchmarks for a 2027 return to senior football, including securing 45 players and appointing a coaching panel before 1 October.

The group also recommended formally establishing a seven-person Lara Football Netball Club committee to improve transparency, with applications now open and all nominations to be formally assessed.

 

The club also confirmed its financial position, saying it remained within the average range for Geelong Football Netball League clubs.

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.

But in a statement released following the meeting, the club said discussions are continuing with a “preferred competition”.

“The process will continue over coming weeks, and the club looks forward to confirming its 2027 competition affiliation in the coming weeks,” the statement read.

Clohesy said the recommended changes were significant but essential to rebuild the club.

“This is about changing the structure of how the netball football club will work moving forward,” he said.

“Some of the stuff that has come through from the survey was that the club does not feel like someone’s second home.

“There’s 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.”

The planning group also acknowledged concerns around the club’s junior program and declining numbers in recent years.

With Lara’s 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.

“This 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,” the club said in its statement.

Lara Sporting Club board chair Lou Goodwin thanked the group for its work and committed to implementing the recommendations.

“It hasn’t always made for easy reading, but it has given our club a clear and credible path forward,” Goodwin said.

“Lara 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.

“Together, 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.”