Dear Editor, I read with interest some are looking into reorganising the distribution of clubs into three even levels throughout the South East.
The people elected to do so, to me, was a surprise as I had thought that this rearrangement of clubs into three leagues with respective strengths would have been more ably managed by the South East Affiliated Leagues Council.
At last it has been realised there has to be a rearrangement of the clubs in the three leagues but each league has to contain clubs of even strength which is long overdue.
This is the 145th season of Australian Rules football in the South East and through this period there has been continual change of the club membership in the leagues.
How low is the morale and membership of clubs that have been at the bottom of the ladder for many seasons? This is a real concern as these teams season after season become a “punching bag” for the far superior teams in their league.
To convince football administrators that change is essential, had Penola not defected from the WBFL to the KNTFL when they did, today they would be non existent.
This club had won four consecutive premierships in the WBFL and after a few seasons support for that club had diminished to such an extent when it came to the Ladies Auxiliary annual general meeting, there was only one lady present.
Everyone enjoys a close contest in any sport no matter what the standard.
We watch AFL for the best.
We follow our local competition to see our children, our town’s people achieve and to support our town’s icon, the football and netball club and to catch up with our mates.
Without a football and netball club a town loses its identity.
To mention a couple – remember a town called Tarpeena or Apsley – and I could go on – now Nangwarry is battling.
The border always has been a source of conflict and more so now with the COVID affliction.
That is why I omitted Casterton Sandford in my team selection.
So these two sports, football and netball, may continue to be part of our heritage, before more clubs “die”, the three leagues club members must be reviewed and acted on before the end of this season by the South East Affiliated Leagues and also with the blessing of their respective netball associations.
This is how I perceived the three divisions of the introduction of this plan for club survival: DIVISION 1: South Gambier, Millicent, North Gambier, West Gambier, Kingston, Mundulla, Kalangadoo, Port MacDonnell.
DIVISION 2: East Gambier, Naracoorte, Padthaway, Kongorong, Bordertown, Robe, Mount Burr, Keith, Hatherleigh.
DIVISION 3: Kybybolite, Penola, Lucindale, Border Districts, Naracoorte, Nangwarry, Tantanoola, Glencoe.
At the end of the first season of the introduction of this plan for club survival – hopefully September 2022 – the top two teams in Division 2 and 3 move up into Division 1 and 2 and the bottom two teams move down a division respectfully.
This action should be taken because of the uncertainty of the initial grading.
After the second season only one top team and bottom team move.
The WBFL could take over the administration of Division 1 and the KNTFL hierarchy control Division 2 and the Mid SE League oversee Division 3.
I have presented these ideas so football and netball will continue to be competitive and a dominant part of our towns heritage, to indicate our youth, throughout team effort, a determination never to concede defeat.
Wilf Sprengel,
