Concerns raised over junior footy matches scheduled for Anzac Day morning

A leading country football league has moved matches – which were scheduled for Anzac Day morning – following fierce debate on whether sport should be played before noon.

A leading country football league has moved junior matches from Sunday to Saturday following fierce debate over whether sport should be played before noon on Anzac Day.

The Hills Football League announced Thursday night it, along with the Mount Barker and Hahndorf football clubs, had resolved to reschedule all matches which were due to begin before 12pm Sunday.

It followed calls from prominent veterans earlier this week for a review of Anzac Day commemoration legislation.

Under South Australia’s Anzac Day Commemoration Act, public sporting events can take place before noon, but only if there are no tickets or entry charge.

RSL Anzac Day committee chairman Ian Smith said he was disappointed and had “seen quite a bit of disquiet among some veterans”.

Hahndorf’s Cooper Nykamp and Mount Barker’s Ross Brooks will face off in the annual Hills Football League Anzac Day match. Picture: Mark Brake

Prominent veteran and advocate Bill Denny agreed, labelling it shortsighted.

HFL president Don Cranwell said it was a sensitive issue and thanked the two clubs for coming to an agreement.

“Not everyone agrees on this issue,” Mr Cranwell said.

“People have different views and very passionate views.

“One club wanted to go ahead and one didn’t. In the end we came to a resolution and we will still have a fantastic day with the matches beginning after 12pm.”

Under-14, 16 and 18 matches which were scheduled for Sunday morning from 8:45am will now be played on Saturday.

SANFL juniors – Australia’s largest underage football competition – will still play matches on Anzac Day morning, with games starting from 8.30am.

The league has encouraged its junior clubs to embrace Anzac traditions and observances if possible, to get them involved and help with the education process.

Other country leagues have also scheduled junior games for Sunday morning in the lead up to senior matches in the afternoon.

DON’T PLAY ON ANZAC DAY MORNING: VETERANS

RSL Anzac Day committee chairman Ian Smith told The Messeneger on Wednesday the Act needed to be reviewed.

“The point we’re trying to make is we’re really putting people in a situation where families with kids playing SANFL juniors are effectively forced to make a choice between participating in the way they would like to commemorate or taking their kids to the footy,” Mr Smith said.

Vietnam veteran Bill Denny. Picture: File

“I think the consensus of the Anzac Day committee is that we would prefer the kids were able to participate in whatever way they choose.”

Prominent veteran Bill Denny said that although the Act had not been breached and the SANFL had a strong history of supporting Anzac Day commemorations, the time before noon was reserved for remembrance and respectful commemoration.

“You only need to look back to what the men and women themselves wanted way back after World War I to see the sort of commemoration they expected and they desired,” he said.

“This is about education and these are kids in their formative years. If we’re going to be thinking about remembrance, commemoration and breeding these values into our children, then it can’t be selective. I think the Act should reviewed.

“It’s not entirely unsatisfactory … but what it does is it gives the organisation the discretion.”

This season, a record 718 junior teams across 60 clubs will play in the SANFL competition – a total of more than 12,000 player registrations.

Victorian junior football leagues have also fixtured games.

SANFL general manager of football Matthew Duldig said the competition could not start any earlier due to school holidays, while any later would result in a clash with the SANFL grand final in September.

“We have worked with those clubs who wanted to change matches from Anzac Day morning and, as a result, we are playing some games on Friday night to minimise the number of matches starting early on Sunday morning,” Mr Duldig said.

“This allows many participants and their families to attend Dawn Services prior to playing footy.”

Junior footballers from across Adelaide are scheduled to begin their seasons this Sunday, including Salisbury Football Club players Cooper Slater, 7, Ayden Etheridge, 7, Lucy Ooyendyk, 8, Harry McGahey, 7, and Lucas Lucadei, 6. Picture: Mark Brake

Mr Duldig said the league had also encouraged its junior clubs to embrace Anzac traditions and observances.

RSL state president Cheryl Cates confirmed complaints had been received and the RSL would continue to work with the State Government to pursue a satisfactory result for all.

A government spokesman said it was supportive of the Northern Territory and the SA RSL’s position that community sport should not be banned on Anzac Day morning.

“Many families will choose to attend Dawn Services and then engage in junior sports afterwards, where further commemoration of this important day is usually conducted,” he said