Torquay makes decision on GFNL promotion

THE Torquay Football Netball Club has come to a decision on league promotion and will stay in the Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) for the next two seasons.

The club announced publicly today (Thursday, August 28) that after careful consideration and consultation with its members, it would decline its opportunity to move into the Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) in 2026 and 2027 through AFL Barwon’s non-mandatory promotion-relegation system.

The club championship framework generates club performance standings across senior and reserve male football and A Grade and B Grade netball, with the standings at the end of the home and away season used to calculate overall rankings.

Torquay finished second and were offered a spot in the GFNL following Geelong Amateur’s decision earlier this month to decline promotion into the GFNL.

Torquay club presidents Cameron Healey and Michael Gibson said the decision to stay put came down to timing.

“Right now, we believe staying gives our club the best chance to continue building on and off the field.

“A big focus for us will continue to be player development and pathways, particularly for our juniors. That’s something our members told us was important, and it’s something we’re committed to.

“We’re excited to now turn our focus to supporting our teams in finals and continuing to make the Torquay Football Netball Club a great place to play and belong.”

The two presidents said the club went through a vigorous process to determine the best way forward for the Tigers.

“We listened to our members, ran a survey, and formed a GFNL Steering Committee to make sure all perspectives were considered.

“A decision of this size can sometimes divide a club, but what we’ve seen is the opposite — our members, players, and volunteers have come together through this process, and we’re stronger for it.”

Since the highest-ranked GFNL club (North Shore) will be in the relegation zone, and the promotion option is being declined, there will be no relegation from the GFNL to the BFNL.

The next promotion/relegation cycle will occur in 2026-27, with the process for 2028 starting the following season.