The state’s peak football body is now saying it will not force any Mid South East Football League clubs to join the new Limestone Coast Football Netball League.
Earlier this year, the SANFL signalled that compulsion remained an option but community football director Shawn Ford has publicly stated this is no longer the case.
The LCFNL was created out of the former six-club Western Border in April and will be bolstered when joined by Penola in 2025.
Penola’s decision was announced the day after it was awarded a $150,000 facilities grant by the SANFL.
Some MSEFL clubs have received written approaches to meet with the SANFL to discuss the possibility of joining the LCFNL next season but all have declined.
As recently as last week, all nine MSEFL clubs were represented at a delegates meeting in Millicent and none expressed a desire to leave the competition.
This matches the on the record and off the record conversations The SE Voice has recently had with officials of MSEFL clubs.
The MSEFL was formed in 1936 and it is one of the most stable leagues of its size anywhere in the nation.
It has had only one change in almost 60 years and that was in 2003 when Tarpeena went into recess.
MSEFL secretary Naomi Mitchell told The SE Voice that it was the long-held view of her executive committee and the MSEFL clubs the current SANFL regulations did not allow clubs to be forced to switch leagues.
In a recent radio interview, Mr Ford said the creation of the LCFNL was a success.
Mr Ford pointed to an experienced set of administrators with business acumen coming on board with the LCNFL.
He said the new LCFNL was competitive with average winning margins well under 40 points.
According to Mr Ford, planning for the composition of the LCFNL for 2025 was under way but no deadline had been set.
“We are really keen to try to put this to bed as soon as possible but we will not be rushing these decisions,” Mr Ford told ABC Radio.
“Again, to reiterate, it is certainly in the clubs’ hands at this point in time.
“We just want the clubs to make sure they have got all the information to make an informed decision moving forward.”
