AFL Barwon\u2019s decision to move away from AFL Victoria\u2019s Regional Administrative Centre (RAC) model has proven to be the catalyst for the governing body of Australian Football in the state to abolish the more than decade-long system.<\/p>\n
Introduced following the Peter Jackson Report of Country Football in Victoria in 2011, the RACs were established in most major towns across the state\u2019s regional areas.<\/p>\n
AFL Victoria has announced, under what it has labelled the\u00a0RAC Directional Strategies Project, that the remaining RACs \u2013 AFL South East, AFL North East Border, AFL Barwon, AFL Central Victoria and AFL Goulburn Murray \u2013 will join AFL Barwon in transitioning to self-management.<\/p>\n
Article continues after this ad<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst the philosophy of a RAC had broad support at the time, many RAC models have experienced financial and functional challenges in recent years, resulting in the dissolution of six RACs; AFL Sunraysia, AFL Gippsland, AFL Goldfields, AFL Western District, AFL Central Murray and AFL Wimmera Mallee, with leagues under those six RACs returning to self-management,\u201d AFL Victoria said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the role of AFL Victoria has evolved with a focus on game development and participation outcomes rather than administration, the role of a Region Manager has diversified, and the effectiveness of RAC models have been closely monitored.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the RAC Directional Strategies Project, strategies to guide individual regions\u2019 RAC direction will be explored in collaboration with the relevant leagues to ensure a seamless transition, a task already completed in the six regions mentioned above.\u201d<\/p>\n