Wandin Football Netball Club has withdrawn its application to transfer from the Outer East Football Netball League (OEFN) to the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL).
The club announced the decision in a statement on 18 July and said the decision “was not made lightly”.
It came after Wandin’s committee met with OEFN board and management, where the parties discussed and explored proposed actions to strengthen and stabilise the OEFN.
“Following this positive and constructive meeting, Wandin FNC has formally withdrawn its application to transfer leagues for 2026,” the statement read.
Earlier in the year the club submitted an intention to transfer request due to concerns surrounding the long term viability of a two-division senior football and netball model in the league.
“Survey data from the league revealed an unusually high number of clubs also exploring potential league changes for the 2026 season.
“Based on this, our committee believed a potential single division senior football competition in the outer east would not offer the competitive balance required for a viable future,” the statement read.
According to the statement, three senior clubs and three junior clubs had also lodged transfer requests which influenced Wandin’s initial decision to transfer leagues.
But, the EFNL’s netball offerings swayed Wandin into withdrawing its transfer – in a Herald Sun article, OEFN chief executive officer Brett Connell said the EFNL “doesn’t fit them in netball, it’s as simple as that’’.
The statement emphasised Wandin’s strong netball roots and said its decision was conditional on the EFNL being able to support a viable Saturday netball competition.
“Netball is central to our club’s identity and community spirit, as such any potential move had to reflect that.”
In the OEFN, football and netball games are played on the same day at the same ground, so its essential clubs have adequate netball facilities.
But not all clubs in the EFNL have the netball facilities to host games, resulting in the league’s netball being played at a separate location to its football games.
Netball games are played at centres such as the HE Parker Netball Complex or the Knox Regional Netball Centre.
Pakenham Football Netball Club were also eyeing a transfer to West Gippsland Football Netball League but its application was knocked back.
Pakenham Football Netball Club announced the news on its Facebook page on 24 July and said the news was “disappointing”.
Officer Football Club also announced on 23 July its bid to join the West Gippsland Football Netball League was unsuccessful.
Upwey Tecoma Football Netball Club have applied to transfer to the EFNL after a club meeting on 26 June, where 121 of the 138 members present voted for the change.
Wandin said it was dedicated to playing an active role in shaping a strong future of football and netball in the region.
“We extend our sincere thanks to both OEFN and EFNL for their professionalism and support throughout this process.”
