Department for Education backflips on Sapsasa restructure plan after blowback

The much-maligned plan to limit private school participation in the state’s top junior sporting competition has been ditched, only days after it was first made public.

A much-maligned plan to restructure the state’s top school sport competition by cutting districts and participation has been canned only days after it was first made public.

Last week The Messenger revealed the Department of Education planned to reshape Sapsasa’s District structure, cutting 40 districts to just 15, subsequently limiting the participation of private school students.

After former Sapsasa heads, private school principals and lobbies voiced their disapproval, the Department has ditched the plan, with education minister John Gardner ordering a 12-month reprieve.

“The draft proposal provided to stakeholders is no longer under consideration,” the Department said in a statement.

“We can reassure stakeholders and families that primary school sports competitions and representative pathways, including Sapsasa state carnivals and championships, are here to stay.

“As previously stated, no reform will reduce access to school sport representative teams and our aim is to ensure there are opportunities for all students to participate.”

Prior to the announcement, Sapsasa life members Neil Brook, Peter Burgan and Dave Adams said the restructure would lead to the demise of the organisation.

Sapsasa life members Peter Burgan, Neil Brook, David Adams at Barratt Reserve in West Beach. Picture: MATT LOXTON

“Cutting down the Districts and restructuring at any level would negatively impact participation of public and private school kids around the state and would ultimately see Sapsasa disintegrate,” Mr Brook said.

“What Sapsasa currently has is perfect. Over the last 70 years it’s used the existing model to increase sporting opportunities for girls and boys, and we’ve seen iconic athletes come through that model.

“A restructure of Districts would likely see kids from Kangaroo Island having to travel to Noarlunga to try out instead of just fielding their own team and students from the Eyre Peninsula trialling for one team instead of the usual three, which would see countless students miss the opportunity to mix with others from around the state.

“It’s positive that the original plan is on hold but a final outcome is still to be resolved and we still don’t know how many kids will realistically have the opportunity to participate.”

South Australian Catholic Primary Principals’ Association president Liz Keogh vocally disagreed with the proposal last week and was thrilled with the government’s backflip.

“We’re very pleased that the proposal regarding Sapsasa will not proceed – this is a great outcome for all students, particularly those in regional South Australia,” she said.

“We are confident that we will now be able to work together to maximise participation for all.”

Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer said that while state government has made the correct decision, parents and students still need more clarity.

Labor education spokesman Blair Boyer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“A one-year reprieve just does not cut the mustard and Gardner should accept this was a mistake and give Catholic Primary Principals, parents and students the long-term certainty they deserve.”

Public school parent Dr Amanda Kidd has two sons in Year 6 and Year 5 at Linden Park Primary who participate in state carnivals and state days and was disappointed to hear about the proposal last week.

“You should not discriminate against a group of children based on their parents’ schooling choices,” she said.

“Both of my sons really want to be able to compete against and socialise with the best athletes.

“The only metric which should be used in determining which child should be representing their District in school sport is their sporting ability so this is the right outcome.”