Sturt lose Blackwood as a recruiting zone
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:42 pmFromn the Courier,
A HILLS football tradition spanning almost a century has been broken by the SANFL.
Blackwood Football Club, which has for years provided Sturt Football Club with young league players, is now a no-go zone for the Double Blues. Changes to SANFL club boundaries has seen Blackwood - co-founded by Sturt 97 years ago - taken from the Double Blues and handed to West Adelaide. West Adelaide can now sign any Blackwood player once they reach the age of 15. But if Sturt, or any other club, signs a Blackwood player, it must negotiate a $5500 transfer fee or risk losing the player altogether.
Sturt chief executive Matthew Benson said he was ``very disappointed’’ at the move, approved by the SA Football Commission last month.
``It’s a big decision and not a popular one at Sturt,’’ he said.
``We’ve got a great history with Blackwood and there have been some outstanding footballers from that area.’’
``I’m largely unconvinced by the logic thrown up in relation to the decision.’’
Blackwood president Dave Benson said he was disappointed his club was not consulted over the decision.
``I don’t understand how Blackwood doesn’t get a say in it,’’ he said.
``Sturt has worked very well with us in recent years. They’ve shown interest in our football club and provided support when required.
``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’
Former AFL players Brenton Sanderson (Geelong) and Carl Dilena (Fitzroy, North Melbourne) both took the Blackwood-Sturt pathway, as did Paul Cahill who was drafted by St Kilda in November.
And burly Double Blues defender Nicholas Wark, who played state football last year, is also from the Woods.
It is estimated that 300 males aged 10-19 live in the Blackwood area. If however a player at Blackwood Football Club lives outside the zone, he may still be eligible to join the Double Blues.
The SANFL’s boundaries commission meets every five years to even the spread of 10-19 year old males available to each club.
SANFL state league manager Darren Chandler said he understood it was an emotional issue for the clubs involved.
``Every time there is a change to the boundaries, an SANFL club may lose schools and clubs they’ve been working with,’’ he said. ``But it’s about maintaining the balance of 10-19 year (old) males in each of the clubs’ zone.’’
``There were six clubs (including Sturt and West Adelaide) who have had changes made to their zone through the boundaries review.’’
As part of the move, Sturt was given Newton to add to its recruiting zone but Benson said it was little compensation.
West Adelaide football operations manager Scott Turner however said he was ``very pleased’’ with the move.
``Something had to be done,’’ he said.
``We’ve had the least number of boys in the SANFL.
``We understand to increase numbers they had to come from somewhere, and that’s what the boundaries review is for.
``So we applaud the SANFL for having the courage to make the change.’’
A HILLS football tradition spanning almost a century has been broken by the SANFL.
Blackwood Football Club, which has for years provided Sturt Football Club with young league players, is now a no-go zone for the Double Blues. Changes to SANFL club boundaries has seen Blackwood - co-founded by Sturt 97 years ago - taken from the Double Blues and handed to West Adelaide. West Adelaide can now sign any Blackwood player once they reach the age of 15. But if Sturt, or any other club, signs a Blackwood player, it must negotiate a $5500 transfer fee or risk losing the player altogether.
Sturt chief executive Matthew Benson said he was ``very disappointed’’ at the move, approved by the SA Football Commission last month.
``It’s a big decision and not a popular one at Sturt,’’ he said.
``We’ve got a great history with Blackwood and there have been some outstanding footballers from that area.’’
``I’m largely unconvinced by the logic thrown up in relation to the decision.’’
Blackwood president Dave Benson said he was disappointed his club was not consulted over the decision.
``I don’t understand how Blackwood doesn’t get a say in it,’’ he said.
``Sturt has worked very well with us in recent years. They’ve shown interest in our football club and provided support when required.
``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’
Former AFL players Brenton Sanderson (Geelong) and Carl Dilena (Fitzroy, North Melbourne) both took the Blackwood-Sturt pathway, as did Paul Cahill who was drafted by St Kilda in November.
And burly Double Blues defender Nicholas Wark, who played state football last year, is also from the Woods.
It is estimated that 300 males aged 10-19 live in the Blackwood area. If however a player at Blackwood Football Club lives outside the zone, he may still be eligible to join the Double Blues.
The SANFL’s boundaries commission meets every five years to even the spread of 10-19 year old males available to each club.
SANFL state league manager Darren Chandler said he understood it was an emotional issue for the clubs involved.
``Every time there is a change to the boundaries, an SANFL club may lose schools and clubs they’ve been working with,’’ he said. ``But it’s about maintaining the balance of 10-19 year (old) males in each of the clubs’ zone.’’
``There were six clubs (including Sturt and West Adelaide) who have had changes made to their zone through the boundaries review.’’
As part of the move, Sturt was given Newton to add to its recruiting zone but Benson said it was little compensation.
West Adelaide football operations manager Scott Turner however said he was ``very pleased’’ with the move.
``Something had to be done,’’ he said.
``We’ve had the least number of boys in the SANFL.
``We understand to increase numbers they had to come from somewhere, and that’s what the boundaries review is for.
``So we applaud the SANFL for having the courage to make the change.’’
