Riverland Football League, Riverland Independent Football League to split up in season 2023

The Riverland Football League and Riverland Independent Football League will be split by 2023, with the future of multiple clubs in the region dwindling.

One of South Australia’s major regional footy leagues will be split in two by 2023, with the state’s premier competition ensuring the move will strengthen clubs in the region.

The Riverland Football League and Riverland Independent Football League will split in to two separate entities by the 2023 season – a decision made by the SANFL Community Football Commission.

The decision had been years in the making, with the independent league being ran and administered by the RFL since its inception in the early 1970s.

SANFL Riverland, Murray and Mallee coordinator Shane Uren said clubs in the independent league – currently Blanchetown Swanreach, Paringa, Ramco, Brown’s Well, Sedan Cambrai and Wunkar – would all benefit greatly.

Riverland Football League

“Recently, with the growth of women’s football and junior football – the two biggest growth areas in the game – the RFL commission didn’t have the time or resources to devote to the independent clubs, they’ve had to spend time on their clubs,” Uren said.

“It’s going to really catapult the competition and it hasn’t just been a snap decision either, with independent clubs having their own separate delegate meetings in recent years, so they’re pretty ready to run things themselves.

“They’re two very different leagues and demographics and they’re now both going to be able to focus on their own teams.”

The decision comes after the independent league saw Cobdogla go into recess for season 2022, with Lyrup, Moorook-Kingston and East Murray all having folded within the last 10 years.

Cobdogla Football Club players celebrate defeating Wunkar in their Riverland Independent Football League match on May 15, 2021. It was the Eagles' first win in 1064 days. The club has now gone into recess for 2022 due to a lack of volunteers and members. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff

Uren said concern over longevity of clubs in the Riverland region played a part in the decision.

“That did have an impact, yes,” Uren said.

“Those clubs which have folded or have gone into recess probably weren’t given the assistance they would have required until it was too late, and we’re hoping situations like that won’t happen now.”

“All the independent teams are going to know where each other stands and they’ve all been proactive to ensure they’ll be alive and kicking in the next few years, whereas they might’ve just been plotting along beforehand.”

The Riverland Independent Football League will have assistance from the SANFL Community Football Commission and the Riverland Football League from the start of 2023.