Elizabeth Football Club in danger of folding after tough start to 2024

A local SA footy club has conceded over 900 points in the first three rounds of the season and faces the possibility of folding ahead of 2025.

An Adelaide Footy League club faces the possibility of folding before 2025 after a horror start to the 2024 season.

Division six club Elizabeth has conceded 908 total points through its first three games of the season, losing to Eastern Park 347-7, St Paul’s OS 265-11 and Houghton Districts 296-13.

This masthead understands the Eagles saw a mass exodus of players in the latter stages of the 2024 pre-season and had a request to solely play C Grade knocked back by the league after divisions and fixtures had been confirmed.

The club has also seen dwindling junior numbers in recent seasons.

League chief John Kernahan believed Elizabeth’s challenges were a reflection of a wider issue in local footy and other sports across SA.

“In a normal environment we could (consider moving the club down a grade/s) but we also have a number of clubs with similar challenges and it would be unfair to separate one from the others,” league chief John Kernahan said.

The Elizabeth Football Club is staring down the barrel after a tough start to season 2024. Picture: Facebook

“There are significant challenges ranging from volunteers, ageing populations and what we have never shied from being the real challenge of the supply and demand of footballers ebbing and flowing.

“It would also be unfair to suggest this is confined to Australian rules, the Adelaide Footy League or a particular collection of northern suburbs.”

Kernahan also said certain local clubs had struggled to consistently build or retain numbers at the senior level due to decreasing numbers in junior footy.

“Volunteering and a shift in priorities of playing participants has also played a role. The pipeline of juniors that the Adelaide Footy League has no control over are supposed to become senior footballers,” he said.

“Without that, of course senior football clubs are going to struggle to be sustainable.”

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said a number of local SA footy clubs were facing similar challenges to Elizabeth. Picture: Emma Brasier

Last month the SANFL revealed it was on track to reach a record target of 70,000 statewide football participants for 2024 including Auskick, junior and senior levels of the game.

SANFL executive general manager of football Matt Duldig said the transition of youth to senior competitions remained a challenge across most competitive sports and would continue to be addressed.

“The introduction of an under 17.5 age group into the SANFL Juniors competition in 2021 was a unified approach with the Adelaide Footy League to improve player retention and transition into senior grades at clubs across metropolitan Adelaide,” Duldig said.

“We have also introduced a change to the junior girls’ structure, with an under-18s competition in the SANFL Juniors established to improve the pathway to senior female football.

The scoreboard from Elizabeth's huge loss to Eastern Park in round one. Picture: Facebook

“We have seen participation growth in all areas, but the key to continued growth is ensuring quality coaching and a positive experience for players. Through greater education for coaches at community clubs, SANFL is committed to assisting clubs to ensure everyone enjoys their experience and becomes lifelong supporters of our great game.

“In 2023 we introduced a Coach Behaviour pilot program which resulted in extremely positive outcomes, with a significant improvement in coach behaviour from participating clubs. In addition, we saw 70 per cent of SA community clubs appoint a club coach co-ordinator role to guide, support and educate coaches within their football club.

“As part of the national AFL Play Strategy, we have a target of 70,000 football participants in SA in 2024, with increased investment in growing junior and youth participation and providing pathways for young participants transitioning into senior football.”

Elizabeth will face third place Fitzroy this Saturday.

The club was contacted for this story and decided not to comment as it works through its plans for the future.