Casterton Sandford has second application to join Mid South Eastern Football League rejected

A struggling country football and netball club continues to fight for survival but maintains it could be all but finished before the SANFL completes a competition restructure for one of the state’s major sporting regions.

An SA country football and netball club has had its second application to switch competitions rejected by the SANFL in as many months.

Casterton Sandford – based just across the Victorian border – applied to leave the six-club Western Border Football League for the Mid South Eastern Football League in October, citing small size, volunteer fatigue, low junior numbers and difficulty recruiting to a smaller competition as significant challenges but was knocked back by the SANFL.

The Cats recently lodged another application but have been knocked back for a second time, with a restructure to South East sporting competitions including the WBFL and MSEFL set to commence this year for completion by 2024.

SANFL said the decision was endorsed by the South Australian Football Commission and was based on recommendations of an independent committee which reviewed the application, with fears a club leaving the WBFL would severely damage that competition.

The Casterton Sandford Football and Netball Club feared for its future as it prepared for another season in the WBFL. Picture: Courtesy CASTERTON NEWS

“The ramifications of such a move had not changed since the original application from Casterton Sandford was received and would trigger an immediate change to competition structures in the region,” SANFL general manager of football Matt Duldig said.

“Therefore, the application could again not be considered in isolation, but as a bigger picture for the future of football in the South East.”

Duldig also said a revised 15-team competition was the optimal model of restructure ahead of season 2024 and would be an immediate focus.

“We know many clubs are struggling and need assistance with junior and teenage player numbers, attracting and retaining volunteers as well as umpire retention,” he said.

“Significant change for the region is coming, which is why a target for the 2024 season is more achievable.”

SANFL general manager of football Matt Duldig said a South East restructure was a top priority. Picture: SANFL

Casterton Sandford president Dylan Ayton was concerned for his club’s future at the time it lodged its first application to join the MSEFL and maintained the Cats might not make it to a 2024 restructure.

He said continuing on through current player and volunteer challenges in 2023 would be the club’s greatest ever challenge.

“Our club’s in damage control at the moment,” Ayton said.

“We’re a proud club and have been positive about the direction we want to go but we’ve been left deflated and really, really disappointed.

“We’d like to think we’re a strong club with great members but this has been a big kick in the guts.

“The club knows we need a change to move forward and while a restructure in the region is needed we’re on our last legs.”

Work on the formation of new competition structures in the South East is set to commence as soon as possible, with the SANFL calling for nominations for the restructure ‘Working Group’ this week.