Golden Rivers: Ultima wins backing from Central Murray clubs

Despite securing the required backing from the Central Murray league, Ultima has had its plans to change leagues rejected. See how the decision played out.

Golden Rivers premier Ultima will stay put after a bid to join the Central Murray league was rejected by the Central Rivers board, which is in charge of both competitions.

On Wednesday night, Ultima secured the required backing from the Central Murray league clubs to switch leagues next year.

But the five other Golden Rivers clubs were united in their opposition to losing Ultima.

The Central Rivers board made the call following “careful consideration” that Ultima remain in the Golden Rivers league.

“While this decision does not allow for Ultima’s transition for season 2025, the Central Rivers board remains committed to supporting the club’s future endeavours and fostering a collaborative environment among all Central Murray and Golden Rivers clubs as we prepare for what the 2026 season and beyond may look like,” Central Rivers board chairman Donald Willox said in a statement.

Ultima beat Hay in the Golden Rivers league grand final this season and wanted to join the Central Murray league next year. Picture: Ultima Football-Netball Club Facebook

Ultima president Nathan Condely said the Central Rivers board shouldn’t have made the decision because of its “conflict” and the club was investigating an appeal.

“We’re very appreciative of the Central Murray clubs voting a resounding yes to let us join their league,” he said.

“But we couldn’t be more disappointed that the gate was shut on us by the joint board of the two leagues, which we believe was conflicted in the decision-making process.

“A decision of this magnitude should have been taken out of their hands.

“Had we wanted to go to the North Central league and their clubs voted in the same way, we could have just walked through no problems at all.”

Nine of the 11 Central Murray clubs voted to accept Ultima for next season.

The Golden Rivers league would have been left in a precarious state with only five clubs — Hay, Macorna, Moulamein, Murrabit and Wandella — if Ultima was granted its wish to leave.

In the last two years, the Golden Rivers league has lost Nullawil to the North Central league and Quambatook folded.

The Mallee league had only five clubs in what turned out to be its final season in 2015 — Southern Mallee Giants, Ouyen, Sea Lake-Nandaly, Walpeup-Underbool and Woomeland-Lascelles.

But the Upper Murray will enter a third season with only four clubs in 2025 following the demise of Federal at the end of 2022.