South East regional football ‘elder statesman’ Keith Sneath has unleashed a withering attack on the sport’s governing body in this
state, the SANFL.

On the eve of the 2023 season opener, he is upset the SANFL has signalled it will force a merger of the Mid SE and Western Border football and netball competitions in 2024.

“If a merger with the Western Border is forced on the Mid SE, as a last resort, the Mid SE should seriously consider dis-affiliating from the SANFL,” Mr Sneath said.

Mr Sneath approached The SE Voice and asked that his opinions be aired in print.

“The Mid SE is doing very well and no change is necessary. It began in 1936 and has barely changed in almost 60 years,” he said.

“We have up to 600 netballers and 700 footballers across all grades in the Mid SE.

“Why stuff up a good league? There should be common sense shown by the SANFL.”

The SANFL Merit Award recipient said it was “a bad mix to have clubs from a city competing with clubs from small towns”.

“We have always regarded ourselves as a country league and a family league,” he said.

“If we are forced to merge with the Western Border, then the Mid SE should go alone.

“The insurance situation will need to be sorted out.

“Likewise, we will have to create a solution so there is still a pathway to the SANFL and AFL for our young players.

“This can be done.”

Mr Sneath suggested there could be some changes at three of the clubs currently in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.

According to Mr Sneath, Kingston could join the Mid SE while Naracoorte and Penola could join the Western Border.

His involvement with the Mid SE dates back to the 1950s and includes being a player, sponsor and club and league administrator.

Mr Sneath served four years as Tantanoola Football Club president followed by a lengthy period on the Mid SE executive committee culminating in a decade as its president.

The citation for his rare SANFL Merit Award states it was for his “long and valuable service to Australian football”.

The 81-year-old remains active in business circles as a commercial property developer and investor and was elected president of the Lions Club of Beachport and Rivoli Bay in 2022.

He is a past president of both the Mount Gambier and Millicent racing clubs.