South East Football Restructure Update

25 October 2023

The SA Football Commission has endorsed final recommendations from the South East Working Group, with the immediate creation of a new Limestone Coast Football Netball League to replace Western Border Football League by next year and competition restructure flagged for 2025.

While the approved recommendations will see the region continue with a three-league model in 2024 and beyond, structural changes to each competition as proposed by the working group are expected to be implemented ahead of season 2025.

SANFL Head of Community Football Shawn Ford said the working group had listened and taken onboard local stakeholder feedback following the first round of recommendations which, balanced with population and participation data, resulted in the latest recommendations being endorsed.

“The working group is committed to achieving a sustainable outcome for football and netball in the South East region and these recommendations provide the necessary change while minimising club disruption,” Ford said.

SANFL can confirm the following key outcomes for football competitions in the region:

• The region will continue with a three-league model in 2024 and beyond.
• Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara and Mid South Eastern football leagues remain as 10-club and nine-club competitions respectively in 2024.
• A new Limestone Coast Football Netball League to replace Western Border Football League will remain as a six-team competition in 2024, expanding to an eight-team competition in 2025.
• In 2025, two clubs – one each from Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara and Mid South Eastern football leagues – will move to the Limestone Coast Football Netball League to create a strong eight-team competition.

The outcomes follow ongoing consultation and engagement with local leagues and clubs since the working group made its initial recommendations.

In May, it was recommended the region move to a two-competition structure, with the disbandment of the WBFL.

Ford said all aspects of the region’s football structure and feedback provided had been well considered by the working group, which was tasked with finding a viable solution to the challenges facing club sustainability, including junior participation and pathways.

“While there will be no real immediate change to league compositions in the region in 2024, we believe some structural changes, including a new-look football and netball league with refined age groups at junior level, will assist with the development and sustainability of three strong and viable leagues in the region by 2025,” he said.