NORTHERN Beaches and Nambucca Valley have formed a joint venture for the 2024 AFL North Coast season.

The Blues and the Lions will join together to field teams in all four senior grades this season.

This development as well as Byron Bay returning to the Gold Coast to play results in the AFL North Coast having five men’s, women’s and reserves teams this season.

The two clubs started discussing the idea of a joint venture in December and this week the move was approved by the respective club committees.

Teams in all four grades will include players from both teams.

President of Nambucca Valley seniors, Dave Colvin, said the joint venture is another step forward for the Lions.

“It’s been a long term goal of the club to be strong enough to field competitive senior mens and womens teams with a strong junior program feeding into it.

“Joining together with the Blues this year is another step towards reaching that goal,” Colvin said.

Northern Beaches president Luke Doyle said entering into a joint venture is a tremendous fillip for the young players at the club looking to play senior football.

“We have some very talented boys and girls coming through the ranks at Woolgoolga.

“Agreeing to a joint venture with the Lions means our youngsters can both play senior football in a team that will be competitive and stay with the club while they do so,” Doyle said.