THE Western Border Football League has taken the first major step leading into the 2019 season, with the appointment of Stephen Lock as president.
Lock steps in to replace Trevor Smart, who took on the job last year, but changed employment and moved away from the area.
Smart completed the season, but a new boss for 2019 was always a requirement.
The league currently has four members on the committee and is on the lookout for more to fill the vacant roles.
Lock comes in with previous experience in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association at the same level, along with sponsorship duties on the board for the WBFL.
Lock said he was keen to kick the season off in the new job, after being nominated to step up.
He said he had no real hesitations about taking on the role, despite the extra time it would take out of his personal life throughout the season.
Lock said at the moment he would take things slowly and work his way into the position as the season progressed.
“At the moment it is about getting my head around it first,” he said.
“Unfortunately we lost Dot (Sheridan) last year with her untimely passing and that put a bit of a hole in what we are doing.
“Tim Driver was the umpire liaison and he stepped down, so we will have a new one there.
“At the moment we are trying to liaise with South East Football Council about what they want to do.
“For me, I will step lightly at the moment.”
However, Lock does have hopes of improvement for the league into the future, with an “old school” view on the game.
“Personally, down the track I would like to see the Western Border expand, but how we do that I do not know,” he said.
“As for interleague, I am a traditionalist, I believe that is what you play football for – to play a grand final and to represent your club at the highest level.
“Once again, how we do that I do not know.”
Lock said he was pleased overall with where the league currently sits and hopes for a repeat of the 2018 season, which saw a more-even competition across the board.
“Everything is travelling okay at the moment,” he said.
“You always hear rumours some clubs have lost players, but until you see the transfers you do not know who has what.
“I think it will be another even competition.”
