With that in mind, a casual chat with a work colleague gave Shields a bright idea - to approach an Australian Football League club and ask them to assist in coming up with a strategic plan for the club.

The problems of the club - it hasn't won a premiership since 1967, and was unable to field an under 18s team last year.

"Every year things were being done ad hoc. It was the same old, same old and there was a lack of structure at an administrative level," Shields said.

"Not seeing a premiership for 45 years, things just had to change."

Following that conversation, Shields was put in touch with Geoff Walsh from Collingwood Football Club and a workshop aiming to "thrash out" some of the problems facing the Moe Football Netball Club was organised.

Moe FNC president Jason Bek outlined the core issues needing to be addressed, which ranged from administration and membership to on-field performance while Walsh explained what made a successful football club.

According to Shields, all parties involved "felt the day was a great success on a number of levels".

"We've already started implementing some of the strategies. For example, it was decided that we need a communications manager, so we're in the process of looking for one," he said.

"Even just being involved with the Collingwood FC has given everyone at the Moe FNC a much needed morale boost."

With many other football clubs experiencing similar problems, Shields said the workshop may set a precedent for similar involvement between the AFL and other regional clubs.

"The committee of the Moe FNC in conjunction with the VCFL and the Collingwood FC are aiming to have the written strategy completed by the end of the year," he said.