THE Ovens and King Football Netball League has moved quickly to avoid a repeat of this year's thirds mergers by restructuring the 2012 competition to include just five teams.
The revamp was prompted by the projected number of players available for OandK clubs between the Wangaratta and District Junior Football League graduates and the overall retention rate of existing players.
Season 2011 started with nine clubs fielding under 18 sides, yet concluded with just seven as Glenrowan merged with Greta/King Valley while Whorouly and Milawa were forced to join forces.
"This was a real concern to the league and does not meet the clubs' demands in order to provide a viable competition," league operations manager Zac Guilfoyle said.
"From feedback received from clubs at the end of the season it became evident that the current under 18 competition was not sustainable past 2011, and some sort of action was needed."
The 2012 season will see just Benalla All Blacks and Bright remain as stand alone sides meaning Tarrawingee and North Wangaratta will combine as will Milawa and Whorouly.
Greta, Glenrowan and King Valley will also have the opportunity to maintain their alignment while Bonnie Doon chose not to be involved in the revamped competition.
Guilfoyle said the reasoning behind the restructure was simple.
"The vision of the OandKFNL is to establish a viable competition with teams consisting of between 20-24 players and over time providing an avenue for all OandK FNL clubs to enter stand alone teams in the under 18 competition," he said.
By - JEREMY WILSON.
Last Modified on 20/11/2011 09:45