Barooga’s 36-year affiliation with the Murray league looks poised to come to an end after club members voted to pursue a move to the neighbouring Picola District Football Netball League.
Members congregated at Barooga Recreation Reserve on Thursday to vote on the club’s future direction after a Special General Meeting was called in early November and, with 131 votes tallied, the move earned vast support from the member base with a 122-9 margin in favour.
It’s a resounding result that has tipped the first domino in Barooga’s mission to rejoin the PDFNL for the first time since 1988.
The Hawks have forged a rich history in the Murray league, but cited various factors, including junior player retention, shifting populations and geographical factors as the reason behind initiating the transfer process.
Although the local club transfer deadline has passed for next season, it’s understood the PDFNL’s non-affiliate status means the league is not subject to the same regulations.
However, there are still steps to be taken.
Barooga’s executive will meet with the other 15 PDFNL clubs at Katamatite tonight, before the league investigates any issues or inquiries arising.
A date will then be picked by the league board to come together to make its final decision.
An affirmative vote would have the PDFNL field 16 teams – its biggest complement since 2017, when the league was split into North-West and South-East divisions.
It would also have the effect of reducing the Murray league to an 11-club competition.
Barooga was a Murray league powerhouse of the 1990s, winning four flags in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1997, last competing in a senior grand final in 2018.
The Hawks’ A-grade netball side encountered significant success of its own in that timeframe, winning four premierships on the spin to kick-start the decade.
On-field success has been difficult to come by in recent seasons, but the club has taken its first steps towards rebuilding momentum with the appointment of Craig Ednie as co-coach for next season.
Ednie earlier this year flagged his “back to Barooga” motto, indicating his desire to rebuild from within and foster the next generation of Hawks coming through the ranks.
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