Three of the SANFL’s key chief executives have their say on the state of the league and its future
SANFL chief executives, Sturt’s Sue Dewing, Central District’s Kris Grant and West Adelaide’s David Grenvold answer some of the key questions facing the state league now and in the future. Blog live with Warren Partland at 12.30pm on all things SANFL
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SANFL chief executives, Sturt’s Sue Dewing, Central District’s Kris Grant and West Adelaide’s David Grenvold answer some of the key questions facing the state league now and in the future.
BLOG LIVE WITH WARREN PARTLAND HERE AT 12.30PM
What is your vision for the future of the SANFL?
Sue Dewing: My vision is not dissimilar to the SANFL Vision that is: “Football fostering healthy outcomes and development for participants and communities in South Australia”.
David Grenvold: To be the second best competition behind the AFL for players, members, fans and sponsors. A competition that offers an alternative experience for spectators that is entertaining, affordable and convenient.
Kris Grant: I firmly believe that the SANFL has a massive role to play in terms of controlling and fostering football in South Australia. The development of the game is paramount and the public needs to understand and appreciate what the SANFL and the member clubs do in terms of development.
Are you confident the SANFL can continue as a strong state league?
SD: If we keep working towards the vision (above) then I see no reason as to why
we cannot continue as a strong State League.
DG: I am extremely confident in a strong state league due to the management via the current Commission and Executive. This will also depend on funding and the ability for the SANFL clubs to adapt to a new sporting environment. I believe there is sufficient revenues in the entire football industry, but perhaps it is not being directed correctly and the elite competition is absorbing more than its fair share of these revenues. This is not about AFL player pay levels, but to determine if AFL clubs need to be involved in programs beyond competing in the AFL competition.
KG: While we appreciate that the AFL is the elite competition, the SANFL league competition is still of a high standard. The gap in standard of football from the SANFL competition to country or amateur football is quite a difference. As a result, there is still a competition where players can aspire to play at a strong, healthy, competitive, high level.
It is essential that league headquarters maintain the SANFL competition as the main focus of their operations.
How difficult is it to recruit from interstate?
SD: Developing our own players is the board and football department’s goal. However, if we were looking at an interstate recruit, finding employment opportunities has been, in my opinion, the biggest challenge.
DG: More difficult than it was in the past. However, this is more due to opportunities available in the state outside the competition i.e. employment and perception of the city by 20 — 30 year olds.
KG: Interstate recruiting has become ever increasingly difficult for many reasons. Employment opportunities are not there, the introduction of state league’s in Queensland and New South Wales has created a competition for players to remain in their home state and huge money being offered in some interstate, country and district competitions.
Players are being told by AFL clubs their best chance of being noticed is playing in the VFL. Is the SANFL still a tremendous platform to be noticed?
SD: I am happy then that my club’s recent six draftees did not heed that advice, if
in fact that is what they are being told. The football department is in regular contact with AFL clubs regarding our players, therefore they are being noticed. Having six players drafted from our club last year ranked us third in the nation. There is a lot of talent playing at SANFL clubs that will attract AFL club’s recruiting staff’s attention this season. Furthermore, the resources AFL clubs have to identify elite and talented players spreads far and wide. I dare say that if players were being overlooked outside playing in the VFL then some recruiters might be looking for jobs elsewhere.
DG: The AFL still has a concentration of teams and coaches in Melbourne so it would be obvious that the focus will be on VFL and TAC Cup for convenience more than any well founded reasons. By focusing on the standard of the SANFL league competition and maintaining a position of number two outside the AFL then this will always provide the best development platform for future AFL players.
KG: Now that all Victorian AFL clubs have their own aligned clubs in the VFL, there is a sales pitch by the AFL clubs to suggest that a player would have a better chance to get drafted if they play in the VFL. The facts are that the AFL clubs have recruiting scouts at all SANFL games and if you perform in the SANFL and meet their requirements, the player will still get drafted. There is a long list of over-age players that have been drafted out of the SANFL over the years who have become successful AFL players.
What is the most difficult task for a SANFL club?
SD: For me there are two difficult tasks facing the clubs. The first is financial sustainability. The second is finding and retaining the right people starting with the board and filtering right through the club including volunteers. You get the second task right then I believe clubs are better positioned to address the first task.
DG: Managing all the expectations of the different stakeholders with limited resources to do this. Maintaining relevance to supporters and players.
KG: Financial sustainability, attracting volunteers to be involved in all facets of our operations and marketing our competition to younger people who need to appreciate our role in football and that there is an alternative to AFL football.
Do clubs have to do more than simply put on a game of football?
SD: Yes. We must attract a younger market, a market that is used to technology and a variety of pastime pursuits to choose from. Off field this has been our focus.
DG: At the SANFL level not as much as the AFL or other national competitions. There should always be a focus on the standard of the competition, but the entire football experience for players and fans must be relevant to the level of competition. For example, the facilities and experience at a SANFL game should be the second best in the state outside a Crows and Port game.
KG: Yes. We need to attract a younger market and provide more opportunities on match days.
Is there a future for the reserves competition?
SD: Yes. As previously stated our goal is to develop our own players rather than rely on recruiting which is not always financially smart. Having the reserves allows our players who are no longer playing in the under 18s to play for the club and be available for league selection. All SANFL clubs are using the reserves in a similar way. Gone are the days where older players finished their SANFL football playing reserves. Last season four of our draftees had spent time playing in the reserves with all four being reserve premiership players. Furthermore, we get to control our players rather than them going back to play at other clubs. Our league and reserves train together and play the Sturt brand of football.
DG: Yes, this ensures participation for all players so the system is not entirely set up for the elite few or the AFL draft.
KG: Without doubt. The reserves competition is an essential ingredient of SANFL club culture which allows you to maintain reasonably strong depth for the league side. It also allows for better under 18s to compete against senior bodies. Furthermore, it allows the club to control players, educating them in our case, the Central District way, and be prepared in the correct manner to play league football.
Does women’s football have an important role in the health of clubs?
SD: Yes. It has attracted, in some respects, a new demographic and thereby increased revenue opportunities such as sponsorship, membership and merchandise. We now have approximately 100 female players involved with the club because of our women’s programs. I see this increasing in future years. The growth in participation and support is vital to all clubs.
DG: Yes, the growth of women’s football is evidence that there is a demand for females to participate in the game. This then is reflected in establishment of a more diverse environment from a gender perspective which will always create opportunities and enhance gender interaction. We are a much more interesting sport with the growth of women’s football.
KG: Yes. Given the growth of women’s football, it provides an additional attachment to the football club which will have a positive effect on revenue streams.
Will it be difficult getting the necessary support staff for the women’s teams. And how much work needs to be done for facilities for women?
SD: We have not found any difficulties obtaining support staff for our women’s teams. We have experienced new people coming forward to offer assistance. There is a fresh, vibrant energy associated with women’s football that in some cases is lacking in men’s football. Facilities need to be unisex and not specifically for men or women. We recently received a government grant of $482,500 towards making our facilities female friendly, as did Norwood Football Club. It is my understanding that the other SANFL clubs will look to upgrade to unisex facilities. It is the right thing to do.
DG: This will be a challenge but also an opportunity. Men’s football in the state is 150 years old and a lot of work has been done to get it to today’s level, so it would seem reasonable that much work still needs to be done to facilitate women in the sport.
KG: Having not yet been granted a women’s football team, I can only imagine that as with male football, volunteers are difficult to attain. Given the rate of growth in female football, the AFL need to provide more support, both financially and resources. With respect to facilities, I do not believe that the male and female can coexist in same facilities, and female football should be entitled to up to date facilities. Grants through Government, AFL and councils will be needed.
What are your thoughts now on the AFL in the SANFL?
SD: My thoughts have not changed and I remain 100% in support of the introduction. It has raised the standards across clubs both on and off field. I appreciate that we will never have their resources, but there are learning outcomes that we can and have applied across the club through emulating some of their processes. It is a far better situation for us now knowing who will be available for selection each week. For me there is no better satisfaction that comes from beating those sides that are often loaded with full-time players. It is David against Goliath. Last year’s grand final was a testament to that. Furthermore the Adelaide Football Club contributes $50,000 per annum to each SANFL club. In effect you could say they are akin to a major sponsor for some clubs. That money is vital to our club’s financial sustainability. Finally, would somebody please pose this question to the players? I am
confident that our players would not have it any other way. They enjoy testing themselves against these clubs.
DG: Fundamentally, my view is a 10-team competition is better than an eight-team competition. There are issues with a professional team being in a semi-professional competition, but this can be managed for the broader benefit of the league. The results to date would also suggest that the two AFL clubs will not dominate the SANFL competition into the future.
KG: The two AFL sides are now in the SANFL competition involving long standing commitments. We therefore accept them in the competition, but, I believe that there has to be some alterations to the regulations and conditions to ensure a fair and equitable competition in the future.
What are your thoughts on the AFL having a mid-season draft?
SD: I do not have any thoughts on it at this stage as we have no details as to what that might entail.
DG: If this was a national draft taking talent from outside the AFL clubs and these clubs providing the talent could be financially rewarded it would be worth considering. A dynamic player trading market across different divisions exists in other competitions globally.
KG: A mid-season draft from within the AFL competition only. If a SANFL club was to lose a key player mid-season, this would have a huge negative effect in terms of that club’s ability to compete in the second half of the year, a negative effect on club supporters and sponsors. The AFL needs to have some consideration for the competitiveness of state leagues.
What does life after football hold for you?
SD: To decompress and reboot for my next role, whatever that might be.
DG: More football.
KG: Probably death!
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