Two big calls leave Golden Rivers clubs fuming
Ultima’s transfer to the Central Murray league has been endorsed by the board after the five remaining Golden Rivers clubs lost their voting rights. See the fallout.
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Scrapping club voting rights at short notice and Ultima being put a step closer to its longstanding wish to switch leagues has angered Golden Rivers league clubs still trying to find a home for 2026.
The Central Rivers board, which oversees the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues, this week made the two big calls which left remaining Golden Rivers clubs, Hay, Moulamein, Macorna, Murrabit and Wandella, blindsided.
Previously 75 per cent support was needed for clubs to transfer leagues, but the by-law has been scrapped after clubs were given less than two days to provide feedback on the contentious change.
Subsequently, Ultima’s transfer to the Central Murray league was endorsed by the board due to extensive preparatory work carried out in the lead-up to last year’s failed bid to leave Golden Rivers.
A statement from the Central Rivers board said: “Clubs will continue to be consulted on matters of competition structure and integrity.
“The removal of this by-law is not a removal of club voice, but a step toward greater consistency and fairness.
“These decisions represent proactive planning and alignment with best-practice governance and community sport principles.”
But Wandella president Leigh Hollingworth said even more angst had been created.
“I don’t think we’re alone in being disappointed with the process, and in questioning how this is good governance,” he said.
“I think there’s people higher up in footy than club presidents who want to see a consolidation of clubs, and that the aim here is to strengthen the Central Murray at the expense of the Golden Rivers.
“We’ve been told numerous times that there’s too many clubs for the population.
“They should be letting clubs decide if and when they amalgamate rather than trying to force it.
“There’s not a perfect solution for us, and the whole situation is putting strain on the volunteers that run clubs.
“One thing that country people, and in particular farmers, are good at is picking themselves up, dusting themselves of and dealing with whatever is thrown their way.
“That’s what we’ll do and we’ll be playing on in 2026.”
Murrabit president Ross Stanton said there were too many mixed messages coming from the board.
“Words are cheap and actions are what count,” he said.
“I’m just not seeing that respect being given to the Golden Rivers.
“It’s an ordinary process and something I’d be ashamed of if I was running it.
“I totally get that Ultima wants to go, but we’re left flying a bit blind and that makes it very hard.”
Ultima president Nathan Condely has been contacted for comment.
The five remaining Golden Rivers clubs still have the option of joining Ultima in the Central Murray league and have been asked to provide their intentions for 2026 by the end of the month.
The five clubs have also been in talks with the Picola District league about starting up a new competition under its unaffiliated model.
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Originally published as Two big calls leave Golden Rivers clubs fuming
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