CASTERTON Sandford Football Netball Club welcomes the announcement of a recommended new structure for south-east South Australian football leagues, in 2024, earlier than the expected announcement date of mid-this-year.

President Dylan Ayton said following the announcement of the SANFL’s working group announcement of recommended restructure, last week, he had received positive feedback from Mid South East organisations.

“I received an email from Pete Mitchell, welcoming us, received emails from presidents at two other clubs, welcoming us, which is really positive and pleasing,” Ayton said.

“The recommendation is pretty much what we thought they’d come up with; there could be minor changes before next year, but we’ve got something to work with for now, which is great.”

He said the recommendation for Casterton Sandford to join the existing Mid South East league was a positive for the club.

“It’s a fantastic competition, has been for a long time … it has been a league of really community-focused clubs, smaller towns, they have a similar situation we have, as far as everyone in town being involved, we’re really looking forward to it.”

The South East Football and Netball Working Group was established in November 2022 following an independent review, has finalised its recommendation for the future structure of both sports in the region for 2024 and beyond.

SANFL Head of Country Football, Shawn Ford said the Working Group and its sub-committees had been focused on determining the best structure for football in the south east, unanimously agreeing this week on a preference.

The recommendations include:

Two senior competitions in the region, with the disbandment of the Western Border Football League.

Four Clubs moving to the current Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League (KNTFL) to create a strong 14-team competition.

Two Clubs (Casterton and East Gambier) to move to the current Mid South Eastern Football League

Establishment of a separate junior football structure for the youngest age groups (under 8s – under 11s) to help increase junior participation.

Ford said after reviewing several structure alternatives, the Working Group agreed that a two-competition model would achieve the best possible balance in competition size, evenness, proximity for participants, junior participation and pathways.

He said an important aspect in developing the new structure would be to find ways to introduce a more flexible junior structure which prioritises participation, creates inclusive environments, establishes stronger pathways through to senior club level and importantly ensures future sustainability in the region.

“Ultimately, there was a need to provide a structure which would ensure stability and sustainability for clubs in the longer-term, as well as to complement an overall regional footy strategy,” he said.

 Central to the Working Group’s decision-making process was its vision for the region, which was to include a strong foundation for future generations which provided a sense of stability for the region, junior participation and pathways and growth in participation (players, volunteers, supporters, sponsors etc) driven by “an engaged and excited community”.

He said the Working Group and sub-committees would continue consulting with all clubs and key stakeholders over the next month to seek input which would assist with more detailed planning in readiness for season 2024.

The development of the longer-term south east football strategy also would continue.

A new, two-competition model consolidates the Mid South Eastern FL, Western Border FL and KNTFL, with Casterton and East Gambier to join the existing Mid South East league in an 11-team competition, while the other three Mount Gambier clubs and Millicent would join the existing KNTFL clubs in a 14-team competition.

Further details are expected to be released in the next month.