SANFL 2021 junior footy competitions booming as seasons kick off this weekend
Junior footy is returning after a COVID-interrupted year in 2020 — and participation numbers are booming ahead of the season kick off this weekend.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More teams, new clubs, an increase in games and added grades — this year’s SANFL juniors season is set to be bigger than ever.
Australia’s largest junior football competition returns this weekend with a full, 14-round fixture and an increase in players after 2020’s coronavirus-interrupted season.
The SANFL managed to host a junior competition last year but there was only 12 rounds and a decrease in numbers.
This year, there as been a record 718 teams registered across 60 clubs with the SANFL receiving more than 12,000 registrations for the upcoming season.
That’s a jump from last yer and a return to 2019 participation levels.
The boost in numbers comes after the state league decided to expand its juniors in 2021, adding an under-17.5 competition following the Adelaide Footy League disbanding its under-18 boys and girls comps.
Salisbury Football Club will field an under-7 side for the first time this year.
The Magpies are one of 65 nominated teams in that age group for 2021 — up from 10 in 2020.
Salisbury junior registrar Danielle Gordon said the club had an increase in junior players with 192 registered, up from 158 in 2020.
Gordon was hoping to have some last minute registrations and hit the 200-player mark.
The Magpies also have 10 juniors teams, including two girls-only sides this year.
“We are absolutely excited, going from last year where we didn’t even stat a season until June to actually having full squads this season,” Gordon said
“Because the under-7s was via Auskick last year, they didn’t actually get a chance to put their skills to use.
“But having them run out this weekend is going to be pretty amazing, particularly for those who have been itching to get out for more than 12 months.”
Harry McGahe will line up with Salisbury’s under-7s and he is looking forward to the challenge.
He hopes to emulate his favourite player, Crows star Taylor Walker.
“I hope to kick some goals,” Harry, 7, said.
“I like watching footy on TV and I like Tex.”
Lucy Ooyendyk will be part of the club’s under-9s and she is looking forward to the season starting.
SANFL juniors manager Geoff Riddle said girls participation across all ages was also at its highest with about 2600 registered.
“After a challenging year working around the impacts of COVID-19, we’re excited to be back,” Riddle said.
“A lot of credit must go to our clubs and the many volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to SANFL juniors.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to rebound as well as we have.”
Adelaide Crows premiership legend signs with country footy battlers
A battling SA country footy club has secured a huge coup by signing a former Adelaide Crows premiership champion.
‘We’ve got to’: Contentious $41m sports centre hits new milestone
A plan to build a controversial $41m sports centre has taken a huge step forward, with the local council seeking to change planning rules to allow it.