FOLLOWING on from the announcement of the new single governance model for AFL in the region, the 2018 competition structure for the Black Diamond has been released.
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The format will include two senior men’s divisions (Black Diamond Cup, Black Diamond Plate), a women’s section and a new social set-up, while a point system will also be introduced into the Black Diamond Cup for the first time.
In all, 41 teams – including three from Singleton and two from Muswellbrook – will compete across the men’s and women’s, with nominations still to be called for the social competition (over 30-35 years).
The Black Diamond Cup will consist of 11 sides, an increase of five from 2017 and, as such, a Community Club Sustainability Program (CCSP i.e. points system) will be introduced to assist in the competitive balance of the competition.
The details of the CCSP are almost finalised.
However, it is expected to include a “Team Points Cap”, which clubs will need to adhere to for each Black Diamond Cup match.
In addition to this, there will be a “Home Player” component whereby clubs will be required to play a minimum number of “Home Players” in each fixture.
BDAFL board member Kevin Greaves has been working with AFL NSW/ACT on developing the CCSP and is happy with how it is shaping up.
“An effective CCSP is important for the competitive balance of the Black Diamond Cup, especially with the new clubs joining the competition,” he said.
“While finding the right model is not easy, we are happy with how it is progressing and certainly believe it will have an effect, especially in the spread of new players across all the clubs.”
The women’s competition continues to grow with new teams entered from existing clubs Terrigal Avoca and The Entrance Bateau Bay while sides from newcomers Wallsend-West Newcastle and Port Stephens have been accepted for the first time.
Newcastle City has been granted permission to field two women’s outfits under their own banner, with an internal draft to be held to spread the talent among both teams following the Blues domination of the 2017 competition.
Overall 16 women’s sides will compete in the one competition in 2018.
It all kicks off on Saturday, April 7, with grand finals to be held on September 1.
The “home and away” season will run for 18 weeks, with all teams playing 16 matches and having two byes with the finals consisting of a top seven being conducted over three weeks.
