FOOTBALL in the Limestone Coast is back, with a combined competition between the Western Border, Mid South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues coming to fruition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
All three leagues were recently cancelled, but six teams have been tentatively confirmed for the new combined competition – South Gambier, North Gambier, East Gambier, Mundulla, Kybybolite and Kalangadoo.
However, Kalangadoo was expected to make a final decision last night, after hopes to have its juniors play as part of the newly-formed competition.
SANFL football operations coordinator South East Michael Mourbey said that was not possible, due to the effect it would have on the remaining clubs in the leagues, such as West Gambier and Millicent in the Western Border competition.
With Casterton Sandford out due to the coronavirus restrictions placed on cross-border travel, it would only leave the Roos and the Saints in the WBFL for the Saturday junior competition, which was not a desirable outcome for junior football in the region.
However, he said it was hoped the Kalangadoo juniors might be able to be a part of game day if a home game was scheduled.
That was just one part of a huge logistical task facing the Limestone Coast Regional Football Council.
Council chair Trevor Smart said there was still a mountain of work to do over the next week to ensure everything runs smoothly once the season kicks off on July 18.
He said the competition would now focus mainly on an A and B Grade competition and hoped Kalangadoo could be a part of the program to provide some representation from the MSEFL.
“The senior competition will be an A and B Grade, with the three leagues having their own junior comps,” Smart said.
“Kalangadoo is working on it, which was due to the competition structure
“They want to play, but juniors and seniors will probably be separated.
“We will try to program it to bring people together where possible.”
More recently a full home-and-away style competition was floated, which included juniors and seniors on the same day as part of the one competition, but the focus had switched to the senior grades only.
Smart said the start date of July 18 was set.
“We are putting it out to all remaining clubs across the three leagues and they will have a further week to reconsider and nominate if they wish,” he said.
“There are some other clubs that are seriously looking to join in.
“It will be good to get a couple more if possible.”
The final format of the competition will depend entirely on numbers, but Smart said the council was determined to run a home-and-away season, plus finals.
“We will determine that over the next week subject to other clubs confirming,” he said.
“We were (originally) hoping to get up to 10 rounds then finals.
“We will still look to have the finals series, with the season based on premiership points, a cup at the end of it, best and fairest awards and those sorts of things.
“But the final details will be ironed out over the next week.”
Those details include whether the competition will be played on a Saturday or Sunday and what venues will be used for each round.
“It is not yet confirmed if it will be Saturday or Sunday,” Smart said.
“Depending on the numbers we may be a bit like the women’s comp, with two games at one venue and two at another or something like that.
“It all depends on the next week whether more clubs nominate.
“We are reasonably confident we can get another couple.
“We believe it is good for the community and good for the clubs to be active and be able to do something.
“We are just trying to get footy happening in the area.”
