James Murphy
THE Portland Football and Netball Club has denied a proposal from the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) to join a rebranded Western Border Football and Netball competition in 2024.
Instead, the club elected to remain at its current home in the Hampden Football and Netball League for the foreseeable future.
Portland Football Club president Troy Bannam was contacted this week and said it was a unanimous decision.
“We have chosen to stay in the Hampden league,” he said.
“It basically came down the perception of the group and the footy club.
“The Portland Footy Club thought it was probably a bit of a step back I suppose, as far as the standard goes – whether that is correct or not I am not sure.
“The players and the footy club wanted the challenge of playing at the highest level they possibly could.
“That was unanimous throughout the whole group.”
The decision was finalised last week as the club turned its attention to preparation for the 2024 season.
“We are trying to recruit for coaches and recruit players and it just made it very difficult with the uncertainty of where we were actually playing,” Bannam said.
Bannam said SANFL and in particular Head of Community Football Shawn Ford were “terrific to deal with” throughout the consultation process but in the end the shoe did not fit.
“The whole process was probably a little bit rushed,” Bannam said.
“There were a lot of things that had to line up depending on other clubs and this or that.
“Where we are now we know all of our football teams are going to get a game and the same with the netball.”
Now the focus is on improved results in the Hampden league.
Last season the Tigers made A Grade football finals for the first time since transferring to the league in 2013 from the Western Border Football League.
That was a high point for the club and now it hopes to build up to similar success.
However, this will take some time following an outflux of players over the off-season.
“We lost about 15 players who left the region last year,” Bannam said.
“We played finals for the first time in the Hamden league last year and then unfortunately – through no fault of the footy club – they decided to leave town.
“We probably lost between 15-20 of our top 35 players which put a massive dent in our playing list.”
Bannam said the focus for the club is now set on securing an A Grade football coach, while also boosting the playing stocks across the board.
“Jarrod Holt who has been our coach for the last four years, he is stepping down,” he said.
“Like a lot of other clubs we are trying to secure a coach and players as well.
“That includes retaining the list that we have and then recruiting some new talent.”
Bannam understands it is a difficult time for many country football clubs but hoped to see his own and fellow organisations weather the storm.
“It is difficult for all football clubs and leagues at the moment,” he said.
“We wish everyone the best and hopefully we can all survive and thrive.
“We are not the only club which is going through this at the moment, it seems to be happening everywhere.”
