James Murphy
THE future of Limestone Coast football and netball is back in the limelight, with all three leagues under assessment by the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
This follows a member’s vote at the Casterton Sandford Football and Netball Club on Sunday which passed the motion to apply for a change of leagues from the Western Border to Mid South Eastern competition.
An application has now been received by SANFL from the club, but the cascade effect is far more complicated than reviewing a single team’s wish to switch leagues.
It has brought all three South East leagues under the microscope, which includes the Western Border, Mid South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara competitions.
SANFL Country Football Manager Shawn Ford spoke to The Border Watch this week to shed some light on the situation.
“That application, which has been accepted by us, will now trigger an independent investigation committee,” he said.
“That will be formed by three community football committee members.
“They will start to put a 60-day plan in process, as of (Sunday).
“That means they have 60 days to review the entire region – how Casterton fits into Mid South East, what happens if that was to go forward and where that leaves the other five (Western Border) clubs.”
Ford said all options are on the table and SANFL has now called on leagues and clubs to have their say on the matter.
It will not be the first time clubs have been pressed for their opinion, with the WBFL and MSEFL surveyed last month on a proposed combined 16-team competition for 2023.
While the proposal was voted against, the verdict went down to the wire.
“Out of 175 votes, the difference between yes votes and no votes was only six votes in total,” Ford said.
“The general consensus around the region is people are looking for change and they see the need for change.
“What that change looks like is yet to be determined, but SANFL is very much looking to be collaborative with clubs.”
Ford said the cooperation and feedback from clubs would be vital in steering the outcome over the next 54 days.
“We are hoping clubs can now put their best ideas forward and hopefully we can work out a way together,” Ford said.
“The last thing we want to do is come in and start telling people what to do.
“Everyone has a real option now to be in a driver’s seat and help us map out a way forward.”
Ford said communications had been ongoing with the MSEFL, WBFL and KNTFL, with an “enormous” amount of work done over the last two years.
Faced with a possible restructure of football and netball as we know it in the region, the main problem which has been encountered so far is the imbalances between the two codes, as well as the junior ranks.
“To give a scope of the conversations which are happening on a daily basis – if people were to draw a line straight across the A Grade (football) teams in the entire region, it is quite simple to work out who plays who based on strength,” Ford said.
“What it is really difficult to try and ascertain is how does that impact the juniors below them and how does it impact the netball as well.
“Those things need to be considered.”
Travel was another factor he said needed to be taken into consideration.
During an uncertain time, Ford said there was one certainty – change is imminent.
He said a large issue currently faced by clubs in all three leagues was the crossover between grades, as some players are required to back up two or three games across juniors or seniors.
In addition, the dominance of some clubs within any of the three leagues can not be denied, while in contrast, bottom-order teams often struggle to fill sides each week.
The situation is not unique to the Limestone Coast and Ford said similar issues are faced across the country.
“This isn’t an isolated region – this is happening all over Australia at the moment,” he said.
“We are seeing it in different leagues all over the country.
“Right now, over the next 60 days, we are encouraging all leagues to be open and transparent.
“We are really hoping everyone gets on the front foot here and declares their position right now, from juniors, through to netball and openly have honest conversations.”
Ford said the sustainment of clubs and their history was of the utmost importance and he understands the coming months would be a sensitive time for many.
“One thing we really do need to be aware of is SANFL certainly isn’t coming in to say if you are struggling, that is the end,” he said.
“We are coming in and saying how do we best help those clubs that are struggling and what is the best way forward so we can make sure they can continue building their club into the future?”
“We are not coming in and trying to cut up competitions just for the sake of it, we are really working with everyone in the region to try and find the most sustainable outcome for football and netball moving forward.”
When asked if there was a perfect outcome from a SANFL point of view, Ford said the simple answer was no.
Throughout the year SANFL has conversed with players, coaches, captains and executives from all three leagues in both netball and football ranks.
“Everyone you speak to has a different idea, but the flow on effect is it doesn’t necessarily fit with the opposing sport, or the younger leagues,” Ford said.
“At the end of the day, someone will be upset.
“There is no perfect answer, which is why we need to continue having these conversations and see where it all lands.”
Ford said there are already a handful of options on the table, which started to take shape in the lead up to Casterton Sandford’s vote last week.
However, he was unable to disclose any information on what they might be.
All things considered, Ford stressed a proactive approach was a necessary action.
“We are really trying to get on the front foot here and are requesting the assistance of the current leagues and the clubs within those leagues, to come help drive the strength of South Australian football into the future,” he said.
“I think everyone right now is in the driver’s seat at club level and they can have a real say on how this goes.
“What we would strongly encourage now is for people to take the blinkers off and have a look at what this thing looks like in 20 year’s time, when the kids who are only just starting out, are coming through to play A Grade football or netball.
“It can’t be a matter of what does the future look like next year, or the year after that – we are really starting to future-plan moving forward.”
