It was only a generation ago that football club committees were male bastions.


The change in the gender balance is most vividly seen at a local level at the Tantanoola Football Club where six of the committee are females.


This is almost half of the football committee with women also occupying the key administrative roles of treasurer and secretary.


All are united in their desire for the Tigers to have success on the football ovals and netball courts along with Tigerland maintaining a strong presence in the community of Tantanoola and district.


The SE Voice recently called at the red and white club to ask the women about their motivations to serve on the football committee.


Longest-serving member Kylie Serle is currently the treasurer after spending seven years as the club president.


This record is only exceeded by Bruce Bawden with nine years and Peter Sims with eight.


Serle succeeded the first female president and community leader Sharon Cox.


“I want to keep the club going for the sake of the Tantanoola community,” Serle said.


“Tantanoola has already lost its school.


“Without a football club, a town can suffer.


“The club can also bring back families who might have moved away.”


She gave the example of Tony and Di Egan who live in Millicent but will be having granddaughter Tamara Gould and grandson Jordan Gould in the club colours in 2025.


Meanwhile, Kristie Rowe believes the administration of the football club is a good fit for her.


“I have retired from netball while our daughter Tayla is studying in Adelaide,” she said.


“Our sons Brayden and Jack play at Tantanoola while my husband Josh Rowe is a past president and A Grade coach.


“My everyday work involves dealing with people and administrative matters and this is a good background for football administration.”


Hijisa Hale proudly describes herself as a dyed-in-the-wool Tiger having been involved in the club since her childhood.


As Tantanoola Netball Club president, she is entitled to a seat on the football club committee.


She relishes the opportunities to have an input into the decisions affecting the whole club.


“I want to continue the strong bond that exists between the two codes,” Hale said.


The football committee has played its part over summer in building the playing list with such quality recruits as Millicent’s Sam Willis and the return of past players Jordan Gould and Jackson Cushion.


Tantanoola Football Club president Matt Cytrowski believes the Tigers are well-placed to climb the ladder in the Mid South bEast Football League after several seasons in the doldrums


He said third-year A Grade coach Jack Dawe was supervising 25-30 players at each training session and coaches were in place for the four other grades.


According to Cytrowski, there were good numbers in all grades but joint coaches Zane Walker and Darcy Pink were looking for more players for senior colts.


“We have got a pre-season training camp coming up at Beachport while we will be hosting a return game against Penola at dusk on March 7,” Cytrowski said.


“We are looking at improving our facilities such as the purchase of 110 new chairs and tables for our licensed premises.


“The electronic scoreboard needs to be upgraded and have new signage for our corporate sponsors.


“We have three boxes for coaches and they need to be repainted while the 200 treated pine posts around the oval perimeter need to be replaced.”


All at Tantanoola have to quell their enthusiasm somewhat as they have a bye on April 5 when the rest of the MSEFL season gets under way.