THE Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Netball League (LCFNL) has unveiled the senior grades fixture for its inaugural season, marking a significant milestone for the newly established league.
The LCFNL has released a 16-round home and away fixture, set to commence on April 20.
The highly anticipated inaugural 2024 LCFNL grand final is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, following a four-week finals series, with the big dance to be hosted by the Casterton Sandford Football Netball Club at Island Park.
Notable highlights of the 2024 fixture include the Round 1 clash between West Gambier and North Gambier.
The game will commemorate the 50th anniversary of West Gambier Football Club’s historic move from Vansittart Park to Malseed Park.
The inaugural match at Malseed Park occurred between these two clubs on August 31, 1974.
The time-honoured Anzac Day game between North Gambier and South Gambier will feature in Round 2 and will be played on Thursday, April 25 as per tradition.
Round 5 will then showcase a 2023 grand final rematch between Millicent and North Gambier.
“It’s a really exciting time for the league and we’re thrilled to release the season schedule, headlined by the traditional Anzac Day clash between two historic arch-rivals, North and South Gambier.” Interim Chairperson Scott Duncan said.
The formation of the LCFNL, replacing the Western Border Football League, was announced by the SANFL last year, following the SA Football Commission’s endorsement of final recommendations from a South East Working Group regarding structural changes to football in the region.
Duncan said the league was also pleased to unveil its new logo this week, with the colours representing the blue of the ocean, green of the forest and yellow representing the land, fields, and crops.
The league will also launch its Facebook page this week and the new league website will be active before the season starts.
Furthermore, the league has confirmed all A Grade games will be filmed each round, enhancing the ability for its coaches and players to continually improve.
Duncan said a strong focus on junior participation in an equitable competition for both football and netball had seen new structures put in place.
This would ensure the LCFNL was an attractive and sustainable competition for clubs from smaller population bases.
A major part of this reform has seen the end of the Under 18, Under 16, Under 14 and Under 12 structure, which will be replaced by an Under 17.5, Under 14.5 and Under 12 structure.
Duncan said to ensure a level playing field, all Mount Gambier clubs would have two Under 14.5 sides and, subject to individual club’s numbers, two Under 17.5 teams as well.
“These teams will be monitored by an independent panel to ensure they are even in talent,” he said.
“The netball structure, which has proven to be very sound in the past, will continue with the 10-grade competition.”
All LCFNL junior grade football fixtures will be released later this month.
Duncan said the league was also pleased to have the support of the South East Football Umpires League (SEFUL), with its impressive 90-year history of officiating matches in the region.
“Their experience and dedication to the sport will be invaluable as we establish the LCFNL competition,” Duncan said.
2024 LIMESTONE COAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE SENIOR FIXTURE
ROUND 1 (Saturday 20 April): Casterton Sandford v Millicent, South Gambier v East Gambier, West Gambier v North Gamier.
ROUND 2 (Thursday 25 April): North Gambier v South Gambier, (Saturday 27 April): East Gambier v Casterton Sandford, Millicent v West Gambier.
ROUND 3 (Saturday 4 May): Casterton Sandford v North Gambier, West Gambier v South Gambier, Milicent v East Gambier.
ROUND 4 (Saturday 11 May): South Gambier v Millicent, West Gambier v Casterton Sandford, North Gambier v East Gambier.
ROUND 5 (Saturday 18 May): Casterton Sandford v South Gambier, East Gambier v West Gambier, Millicent v North Gambier.
ROUND 6 (Saturday 25 May): Millicent v Casterton Sandford, East Gambier v South Gambier, North Gambier v West Gambier.
ROUND 7 (Saturday 1 June): South Gambier v North Gambier, Casterton Sandford v East Gambier, West Gambier v Millicent.
SOUTH EAST ZONE CARNIVAL (Saturday 8 June)
ROUND 8 (Saturday 15 June): North Gambier v Casterton Sandford, South Gambier v West Gambier, East Gambier v Millicent.
ROUND 9 (Saturday 22 June): Millicent v South Gambier, Casterton Sandford v West Gambier, East Gambier v North Gambier.
ROUND 10 (Saturday 29 June): South Gambier v Casterton Sandford, West Gambier v East Gambier, North Gambier v Millicent.
ROUND 11 (Saturday 6 July): Casterton Sandford v Millicent, South Gambier v East Gambier, West Gambier v North Gambier.
SA COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS (Saturday 13 July).
ROUND 12 (Saturday 20 July): North Gambier v South Gambier, East Gambier v Casterton Sandford, Millicent v West Gambier.
ROUND 13 (Saturday 27 July): Casterton Sandford v North Gambier, West Gambier v South Gambier, Millicent v East Gambier.
ROUND 14 (Saturday 3 August): South Gambier v Millicent, West Gambier v Casterton Sandford, North Gambier v East Gambier.
ROUND 15 (Saturday 10 August): Casterton Sandford v South Gambier, East Gambier v West Gambier, Millicent v North Gambier.
ROUND 16 (Saturday 17 August): South Gambier v West Gambier, East Gambier v Millicent, North Gambier v Casterton Sandford.
FINALS
First Semi Final (Saturday 24 August) hosted by South Gambier.
Second Semi Final (Saturday 31 August) hosted by West Gambier.
Preliminary Final (Saturday 7 September) hosted by Millicent.
Grand Final (Saturday 14 September) hosted by Casterton Sandford.
