Sport
21 November, 2022
Mount Alexander Falcons move leagues in 2023, calling Riddell District league home
Mount Alexander Falcons have found their new footballing home. The Harcourt-based Falcons — a women and gender diverse team belonging to the Mount Alexander Shire as a whole rather than one club — looked set to continue playing in the Central...
Mount Alexander Falcons have found their new footballing home.
The Harcourt-based Falcons — a women and gender diverse team belonging to the Mount Alexander Shire as a whole rather than one club — looked set to continue playing in the Central Victorian Football League women’s (CVFLW) competition for 2023, but have been lured into the Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) for next season.
The announcement was made on Thursday evening, with Kyneton and Melton women’s football clubs also making the move to the newly-formed RDFNL women’s competition.
Melton will move from the Ballarat Football League women’s competition, while Kyneton is moving alongside the Falcons from the CVFLW competition.
In a statement released on the RDFNL website, CEO Jordan Doyle said he was happy to launch in 2023, having initially looked at a 2024 start.
“The RDFNL is filled with excitement about launching a Senior Women’s competition for 2023,” he said.
“We would like to thank Kyneton, Melton and Mount Alexander for making the transition across to the RDFNL and we look forward to those three clubs joining some RDFNL senior clubs in the competition for 2023.”
The Falcons were intent on sticking around in the CVFLW competition after playing multiple practice matches in the league throughout 2022.
But club president Alana Wearne said extensive consultation with their members helped get the Falcons across the line into the RDFNL.
“It’s good to be able to know where we are headed for 2023 and get down and ready to plan for the season ahead, and also have some input into what the season will look like — it’s been a really important thing for us as well,” she said.
“We were approached by the Riddell league fairly recently. The intention was always to stick with the Central Vic league, but we had them come along and chat to us about what they could offer for season 2023. We had some good meetings with them and talked about our club’s values and where we were heading, and felt there was a really solid alignment there.
“The process was then making sure we consulted with our playing and volunteer group — we wanted to be sure that we weren’t going to lose too many, so we had a forum with everyone, and talked through the pros and cons of both possibilities, and eventually landed on pursuing the path of going to the RDFNL.”
Wearne said the added bonus of getting to play matches against Kyneton, who the Falcons have formed a strong relationship with, also played a part in the move.
“The other factor that came in was the strong relationship we have forged with the Kyneton Football Netball Club over the past 18 months as well, and knowing we have them on our journey as well was something that was really positive and exciting,” she said.
“Ultimately, it was a decision that the executive had to make, but we wanted to make sure there was a thorough process in consulting with our members. If we don’t have any members, we don’t have a club. It was really good to be able to do that.”
The opportunity to develop their football club against teams that are similarly starting their club in the new RDFNL league in 2023 was also very appealing to Wearne.
“I think another thing that really appealed with the Riddell league was that we wouldn’t be the only club to have a first-time senior team as well,” she said.
“I guess that was beneficial from a skill development perspective, and being able to offer our players competitive matches where everyone is getting their hands on the ball is important for us as well, but also the fact that it is a brand new league gives us an opportunity to be able to shape the league and put women, girls and gender-diverse people at the forefront of participation and decision-making and trying as best as we can to advocate for them to get access as much as the men’s league, which is a real priority for us.”
With the added bonus of recent funding announced for Harcourt Recreation Reserve, night games were also sought as a positive move for the club, while Wearne says it’s all been part of the great news surrounding the club in recent times.
“If the facilities are there, it’s something that we’re really excited about getting some input into scheduling and what it looks like,” she said.
“It’d be really cool to have some night games, and it’s been really great to have some purpose-built changerooms that are up and running as we speak, as well as improvement in the drainage around the ground. Our players deserve the best facilities that are available, so hopefully we are on the road to making that a reality.”