The region’s most experienced serving football league administrator has fired a broadside at the SANFL which is the code’s controlling body.

Any forced merger of the Western Border and Mid SE leagues to create a 15-club competition is viewed as “ridiculous” by Naomi Mitchell.

She has served the Mid SE as either secretary or assistant secretary for the past 17 seasons and is the recipient of league life membership and a SANFL merit award.

Writing in the 2023 Mid SE Grand Final Budget, Ms Mitchell said the future of football in this region had been the number one question throughout 2023.

“This subject has dominated boardrooms, clubrooms, and Can Hill/stubbie booths for the entire season,” Ms Mitchell wrote.

“Yet, as we arrive at season’s end, we are still none the wiser!

“One thing is for certain – the Mid SE is here to stay and we are not at all interested in the purported and ridiculous notion of a 15-club competition that was initially proposed.

“This message has been repeated and echoed not only from the Mid SE executive committee but also from clubs, players and supporters.

“The truth is we differ demographically from our closest neighbouring league and our tight-knit community culture reinforces our commitment to each other on-and-off the field.”

Ms Mitchell said the MSE was “ready to defend the values we hold dear”.

“Each of our clubs holds equal importance within our structure; we stand as equals off the field,” she said.

“With this in mind, I firmly believe the Mid SE will withstand the external pressures that may jeopardise some of our clubs through dissolution or merger.

“Next year, it will be business as usual for us, maintaining our unity and purpose.

“As for the rest? They can please themselves.”

A year ago, Ms Mitchell had also made highly critical remarks about the Western Border Football League.

“It is no secret that a neighbouring league has been grumbling for a number of years they want change as they deem their competition boring and repetitive but whose fault is that?” Ms Mitchell wrote in 2022 Grand Final Budget.

“Why should the Mid SE and all our clubs bear the brunt of change and put themselves at risk for the sake of city-centric views and ideology?”

Meanwhile, veiled references to the uncertainty of the Mid SE were made by other report writers in the 2023 Grand Final Budget.

Mid SE Netball Association president Sara Gray said sporting clubs were the heart of small communities.

“We continue to grow and thrive,” Ms Gray said.

“The 2023 season has unified our clubs, both football and netball, coming together to make the Family League stronger.”

Nangwarry Football Club president Shane Ploenges called for the status quo to be maintained.

“Our league is a close-built community family league that has functioned well for many years and we hope this will continue for many years to come,” he said.

Kongorong Football Club president Amanda Sealey described 2023 as an unsettled year and one of uncertainty about the future of various leagues.

“It has tainted the season from start to finish and particularly for those on committees throughout all the clubs and leagues and associations,” Ms Sealey said.

“It continues to be a thorn in the side of the great Family League we are and one we hope we can continue to be.”

The SANFL was contacted for comment with a spokesperson responding with “we will not be providing a response to these comments”.