Upper Murray: Federal goes into recess after 130 years in existence

Federal confirmed what many had expected with the decision to go into recess. Here’s what it means for the Upper Murray league.

The Upper Murray Football-Netball League has been reduced to only four clubs with the demise of Federal after 130 years of existence and close to 30 premierships.

Federal led but ultimately failed in a bid to convince other clubs to join forces and enter a team in the neighbouring Tallangatta and District league with the aim of providing better “pathways” for junior players.

Cameron Tyrell boots a goal for Federal against Corryong in the Upper Murray league. Pictured supplied by Corryong Courier

But Federal confirmed at a special meeting on Friday to go into recess in a move that has left the league precariously with four teams, reigning premiers Tumbarumba, Corryong, Cudgewa and Bullioh.

“The disregard for junior football pathways in the area has been a heavy load to carry in recent years,” Federal committee member Sam Paton said.

“And now it has become too much to bear.

“All family clubs need families and when those families had to look for other opportunities for their kids it brings down the foundations that a club like ours has been built on.”

Former Federal junior Adrian Whitehead playing for Carlton against Essendon in 1997.

Carlton 1995 premiership player Adrian Whitehead began his career at Federal with Jon Collins another to play at the highest level with North Melbourne and St Kilda.

Wodonga’s last Ovens and Murray league premiership team contained three former Federal players, Paul and Nev Nugent and Simon Paton.

Another former Federal player Darryn McKimmie kicked the match winning goal after the siren in a famous Lavington premiership win in 2005.

Lavington 2005 premiership hero and Upper Murray farmer, Darryn McKimmie with sons Brax, 6, and Lachy, 10. Picture: Supplied

Cudgewa president Greg Hillier conceded the league was “vulnerable” with four clubs, but benefits would be a reduction in byes with an even number of teams.

“We’re vulnerable now and we’ve always known that,” he said.

“We’ve got four strong teams.

“Corryong is having a crack, they’ve appointed a coach, we’re in a good position, Tumba is obviously the reigning premiers and Bullioh is always pretty strong.”

He said “preliminary talks” had been held by the league with struggling TDFL clubs, Wahgunyah and Wodonga Saints about a move.

“There are obviously some weak clubs in the Tallangatta league,” he said.

“They’ve had preliminary talks with them.

“Unfortunately they are probably the furthest away from here.”

Upper Murray 2016 premiers Federal. Picture: Gavin Rendell

Border-Walwa exited the Upper Murray league in 2020.

Federal won 27 premierships with its first being in 1894 when the club was known as Mt Elliott and the most recent in 2016.

The Omeo and District league had four clubs for decades before the addition of two new teams in the mid 1970s.