Penola has become a vital ingredient of the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League and Netball Association since being welcomed more than three decades ago and the pair wants the partnership to remain strong for years to come.
Since making the move from the Western Border in 1987, the Eagles have made their mark on their new habitat winning four A Grade football titles.
The club’s success reached new heights this year when it secured its maiden A Grade netball flag on a special afternoon at Padthaway.
After the Limestone Coast Regional Council circled Penola as one of two best suited clubs to join the Western Border teams in a new competition.
However, the Eagles made the call to stay grounded in the KNT nest believing their current home remains in their best interests on and off the field.
“We are respectful of the LCRFC and their quest to review the sustainability and structure of football within the South East,” Thursday’s club statement read.
“As a club we have reviewed our current situation across Football and Netball at both senior and junior levels and believe the most sustainable option for Penola heading into the future is to remain in the KNTFL and KNTNA.
“We have our sights firmly set on playing in the KNTFL and KNTNA in 2022 and beyond.”
Penola president Marcus Deveraux said the club was unwilling to commit to the new venture with what it believed to have many unknowns.
“The unsurety of the full structure of how this new league was going to operate was probably a big part in the call,” he said.
“Until they work out how it is actually going to be structured, it is too much of an unknown.
“Then going through player numbers we would not be able to compete at junior level in football and netball.
“We thought we will stay at the KNT where we know we can fill our sides and compete.
“We left the Western Border in 1987 and have not looked back.
“It would have been a big risk for any club to undertake, so with all the information it was a pretty easy decision to stay put.”
Deveraux said one of the biggest factors behind the call was protecting the youngest members of the club.
If the Eagles did make the move, they would have to find a way to field at least double the amount of under age football sides, while junior netball numbers also did not match up with the Western Border teams.
“Obviously juniors have always been an issue,” Deveraux said.
“South Gambier had 85% more juniors than what we had last year, while the stats show we are probably the fourth lowest of all 25 clubs at junior level.
“We have successful junior netball teams in KNT and if we crossed over, we would not have competed either.
“We are not blessed with junior numbers so that was a massive deciding factor.
“At the moment we may not have massive numbers, but can still win games, while if we go to Mount Gambier their third-string sides could beat us.”
Although netball club and association representatives were present throughout the LCRFC’s review process, Deveraux did not believe enough consideration was given to the girls on court.
“The regional council needs to do some more homework and come up with a structure that works for football and netball – not just football,” he said.
“At the moment it is pretty football based and I thought the netball clubs were neglected a bit which is not what we want because we are a joint venture.”
Penola made the call after a busy night when both football and netball committees held separate meetings before joining forces to make the final call.
With the Eagles being the heart and soul of the Penola community, the club understood the decision impacted people far beyond the boundaries of McCorquindale Park.
Deveraux stated “98%” of players, sponsors and life members wanted to stay in the KNT environment and the stats back it up.
Penola never won a WBFL A Grade flag after more than two decades of trying, while only Mundulla has won more KNTFL A Grade premierships than the Eagles’ four since 1993.
Off the field Penola has built strong relationships and Deveraux believed the support received from all areas of the KNT community made it clear which decision was best.
“All the clubs have touched base with us and gave us support along with the KNT officials,” he said.
“Whereas the Western Border clubs and officials have not made any contact.
“So if they were serious about change, I would have thought there would be some communication there.
“Meanwhile the KNT jumped on board and fully backed us to make the best decision for the club, but also wanted us to be part of things for years to come.
“To have that support from nine other clubs and the league was instrumental.”
Although the Eagles want to remain in the KNT, Deveraux revealed the door is not completely shut if the right scenario is presented.
“If the Regional Council were to work out a full structure and give us all of the information we need, we will then go back to the Special General Meeting scenario to look at it with a fine-tooth comb,” he said.
“We met with the Regional Council last Wednesday night and gave them what we saw happen and they said they will keep working on a process to see if it can possibly happen.
“This will probably be an ongoing matter and things may be different in five to 10 years time.
“But until then, we are 100% committed to the KNT.”
Even after stating the club’s intent to stay in the KNT, there is still the possibility change could be forced upon the Eagles, but Deveraux said he could take measures against it.
“We are aware they (the LCRFC) have the power to enforce the recommendation,” he said.
“But we said ‘then why have you given us the option to start with’ and they did not say too much after that.
“Along with KNT we have talked to the SANFL and as far as we can see the SANFL executive can only enforce change if it is for the benefit of football.
“But most leagues in South Australia are run with six clubs, so nothing has changed for the last eight years and why do we need change?
“We have made our opinion and we have to wait and see what they come back with.
“If they enforce it we will take it further on our end and get legal advice to see where we sit if we are 100% wanting to stay in the KNT.”
Despite being placed in the difficult situation of making the club’s biggest decision in modern history, Deveraux does not believe the process has slowed preparation for 2022 as Brad Maney takes over the A Grade football coaching reigns and Kaitlin Egan aims for back-to-back netball flags.
“The players know the decision has been made and the whole club can focus on next year,” he said.
