Mid South Eastern Football League announces merger rejection ahead of 2024 South East restructure, SANFL responds

A major SA country footy competition has announced its opposition to a potential merger with neighbouring leagues amid a restructure in one of the state’s biggest sporting regions.

The SANFL has responded after a major SA country footy competition moved to quell any possibility of a merger between leagues in one of the state’s biggest sporting regions this week.

Mid South Eastern Football League and Netball League presidents have announced their unanimous opposition to any proposed merger with neighbouring South East leagues such as the Western Border Football League and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League after coming together on Wednesday night.

The announcement comes just months after the SANFL revealed it would pursue a major restructure of South East football and netball for 2024 as a result of the ongoing challenges and struggles of multiple clubs in the region including dwindling player and volunteer numbers.

A merged 15-team league including all six WBFL and nine MSEFL clubs had previously been floated as the most possible solution, while SANFL had also established a ‘working group’ including representatives from all leagues and multiple clubs to construct a plan of action for 2024.

Kalangadoo celebrates its 2022 MSEFL A Grade premiership. Picture: Mid South Eastern Football League

“The working group, underpinned by three subcommittees and with representation from all three leagues, was established in late January and is an important process in considering the future of football for the entire South East region,” SANFL head of country football Shawn Ford told The Messenger.

“This group will importantly provide relevant information throughout the process to all clubs sop they can make informed decisions, with the three sub committees to meet next week.

“We understand the emotion and passion within individual clubs and the tremendous commitment of volunteers to their local footy club. However, the intent of the working group, after uch consultation, is to support future sustainability and participation in the region.

“The working group looks forward to continuing discussions with all leagues and clubs in the South East and encouraging open and constructive conversations.”

SANFL head of country football Shawn Ford. Picture: Simon Cross

The MSEFL had expressed not all of its clubs would survive a merger and that it would result in increased difficulty for smaller clubs to maintain player and volunteer numbers.

However, clubs across the region are already facing major difficulty in these areas, including Victoria-based Casterton Sandford, which was concerned it may not survive another year in the six-team WBFL – a league which also houses all four Mount Gambier clubs as well as Millicent.

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

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

A source close to the situation also told The Messenger there had previously been animosity between the MSEFL and WBFL, and that an agreement on the topic of a restructure would “take some time.”

The Messenger contacted both the Mid South Eastern Football League and Western Border Football League for this story.