One Division or Two?

[lion heart]

Here's a bit off history for you people, In the early 80's the SFL met with the former Glenelg/South League regarding a merger off leagues, It would have consisted off 3 DIVISIONS of 10 teams and the 4th DIVISION OF 8 teams 38 clubs involved.....what stopped it......junior football SFL wanted sat G/S wanted sun because off college/schools football......back then they couldn't agree so what hope do we have now???????...Also Blackwood wanted to join the SFL in 1994....they had 4 senior sides 3 junior ....voted out by club delegates..... and one DIRECTOR,the next year they voted Mitchell Park in with 3 sides 2 junior, then the clubs voted Brighton juniors in only in 95, when Marion, Morphy Pk,Mitchell Pk were struggling for juniors.....Brighton Seniors came in 98.... work that out, maybe if clubs looked to the future rather than their own back yards all the time we may not be in the mess we're in TODAY.

Very interesting history lesson there Hack. So frustrating to hear a long line of baffling decisions made by those in charge of our once proud association. No doubt there are some great people involved with the SFL but there is also some dinosaurs that need move on.

I'll be honest im hopeful but not too confident that the SFL's Future Direction Committee is going to come back with the right decision. Its a flawed process for starters where Brighton represent the top 5, Valley the middle 5 and Christie's the bottom 5.
Is it the job of those club's representing to give or ask for feedback from the clubs they are representing? If so as of our last committee meeting, we haven't heard a thing?? Not only that but the independent's on the FDC consist's of 2 ex Pt Noarlunga and i believe another ex Christies. How can they possibly get a balanced view when 4 of the 7 or so involved represent 2 clubs????

Id love to be informed if anyone has any news?

[lion heart]

I saw some of the Cove v OSB Lonsdale B grade game on the weekend, geez it was a hammering - i didnt see the end of the game but was not suprised to see the results saying Lonsdale didnt put a score on the board...

ONLOOKER
OSB reserves only had 12 seniors players they were filled up with 16's who had a crack but were a bit light on.

Pretty sad state of affairs having 6 of our under 16s suit up for reserves saturday. Just checked sporting pulse and we have used 58 different players in reserves alone. Aldinga and Marion also struggling for numbers of late. With the cold weather and big thumpings its startling the amount of guys that drop off, im damn sure you wouldn't lose so many if the competition was more even. I take my hat off to some of reserves players backing up week after week with nothing but mateship and club pride to play for.

[Broken Down Hack]

No beef with SFL junior program vics01 none at all, the SFL has changed so much, so has society, i think its fantastic seeing so many kids running around but like senior they don't like getting thumped every week and they tend to drop off, i was only saying to even up all clubs fill one side only say 28 players, if you don't make cut then you might go to another club to get a game.......but as i said times have changed, some clubs in growing areas e.g. Noarlunga, Cove struggled 15 years back and are now reaping the rewards with many young family's in area, good on them they have done the hard yards, but i will say if this was imposed 1 side 1 club there would be uproar so SFL,, have done right by giving all kids a game, big question is how do we solve this problem to make all clubs happy....mmmmmmmm

[afc9798]

No beef with SFL junior program vics01 none at all, the SFL has changed so much, so has society, i think its fantastic seeing so many kids running around but like senior they don't like getting thumped every week and they tend to drop off, i was only saying to even up all clubs fill one side only say 28 players, if you don't make cut then you might go to another club to get a game.......but as i said times have changed, some clubs in growing areas e.g. Noarlunga, Cove struggled 15 years back and are now reaping the rewards with many young family's in area, good on them they have done the hard yards, but i will say if this was imposed 1 side 1 club there would be uproar so SFL,, have done right by giving all kids a game, big question is how do we solve this problem to make all clubs happy....mmmmmmmm

You cannot make all clubs happy as each club has a vested interest. What makes Hackham happy ie more kids, would not make Morphett Vale happy ie kids leaving to go to Hackham or disappearing all together. It also financially penalises the clubs who have strong junior programs. Lose 60 juniors at $120 fees (approx) =$7200. Friday night takings halved over the bar and canteen, Sunday takings halved from canteens. You're potentially looking at a $20,000 plus loss each year from general revenues. That's another 20 minor sponsors, or 10 middle sponsors or 5 majors that a club needs to find.

For me, the sub juniors are what makes a great club atmosphere, so to halve the program would also impact on the spirit of the clubs affected. Can't see Brighton, Happy Valley, Flaggies, Reynella, Morphett Vale, Cove etc. even remotely entertaining this. Not through selfishness, but through not wanting to destroy what they have built over many years.

[Look Good In Leather]

Here's a bit off history for you people, In the early 80's the SFL met with the former Glenelg/South League regarding a merger off leagues, It would have consisted off 3 DIVISIONS of 10 teams and the 4th DIVISION OF 8 teams 38 clubs involved.....what stopped it......junior football SFL wanted sat G/S wanted sun because off college/schools football......back then they couldn't agree so what hope do we have now???????...Also Blackwood wanted to join the SFL in 1994....they had 4 senior sides 3 junior ....voted out by club delegates..... and one DIRECTOR,the next year they voted Mitchell Park in with 3 sides 2 junior, then the clubs voted Brighton juniors in only in 95, when Marion, Morphy Pk,Mitchell Pk were struggling for juniors.....Brighton Seniors came in 98.... work that out, maybe if clubs looked to the future rather than their own back yards all the time we may not be in the mess we're in TODAY.

Very interesting history lesson there Hack. So frustrating to hear a long line of baffling decisions made by those in charge of our once proud association. No doubt there are some great people involved with the SFL but there is also some dinosaurs that need move on.

I'll be honest im hopeful but not too confident that the SFL's Future Direction Committee is going to come back with the right decision. Its a flawed process for starters where Brighton represent the top 5, Valley the middle 5 and Christie's the bottom 5.
Is it the job of those club's representing to give or ask for feedback from the clubs they are representing? If so as of our last committee meeting, we haven't heard a thing?? Not only that but the independent's on the FDC consist's of 2 ex Pt Noarlunga and i believe another ex Christies. How can they possibly get a balanced view when 4 of the 7 or so involved represent 2 clubs????

Id love to be informed if anyone has any news?

At the last delegates meeting there was an update and a survey was completed by the Presidents of the clubs I believe, well that was on the agenda

[Leo]

Having a chinwag with someone this morning and it appears that 2 divs will almost certainly NOT happen next year, and unless 2 of the current SFL coats change their mind, it wont be happening in the near future. If this is true, then when silly season hits us, there will be yet another mass exodus of quality players leaving for the country leagues. Most clubs can hardly afford to pay there skyrocketing water and electricity bills, let alone their players. I have no doubt teams like Hackham and Aldinga will improve in future years, but which clubs will replace them as the side that gets pumped every week. The fact is there are too many teams in 1 competition for beltings not to happen. It is only a matter of time before 1 or more club closes its doors due to rising costs of running a club, combined with little or no support from bar takings, canteens, etc. And dont be surprised if it a so called "big successful club" that this happens to.
Wouldnt it be a great world if for 12 months, every player in the league just played for nothing! Just the love of the game. God forbid, thats just what some people have done for their whole careers.

[afc9798]

Wouldnt it be a great world if for 12 months, every player in the league just played for nothing! Just the love of the game. God forbid, thats just what some people have done for their whole careers.

Would be easier to initiate a Middle East Peace Process. Nice thoughts, but ain't never gonna happen.

[Courtney Fish]

Having a chinwag with someone this morning and it appears that 2 divs will almost certainly NOT happen next year, and unless 2 of the current SFL coats change their mind, it wont be happening in the near future. If this is true, then when silly season hits us, there will be yet another mass exodus of quality players leaving for the country leagues. Most clubs can hardly afford to pay there skyrocketing water and electricity bills, let alone their players. I have no doubt teams like Hackham and Aldinga will improve in future years, but which clubs will replace them as the side that gets pumped every week. The fact is there are too many teams in 1 competition for beltings not to happen. It is only a matter of time before 1 or more club closes its doors due to rising costs of running a club, combined with little or no support from bar takings, canteens, etc. And dont be surprised if it a so called "big successful club" that this happens to.
Wouldnt it be a great world if for 12 months, every player in the league just played for nothing! Just the love of the game. God forbid, thats just what some people have done for their whole careers.

Are they too stubborn or just embarrassed to admit to the stupid mistake to go to one div in the first place. How can they not see it is the only way to go?

[vics01]

How some radical thinking.

A few clubs look at merging and having 12 sides in the comp. .... This may be the only way going forward the SFL may survive??

just a thought

[Esteban Vihaio]

How some radical thinking.

A few clubs look at merging and having 12 sides in the comp. .... This may be the only way going forward the SFL may survive??

just a thought

You would need a D Grade. Perhaps some teams would fill four junior teams in one grade

Better off seeing a new team in woodcroft and perhaps aberfoyle park

[PhilH]

Aberfoyle Park .... how about Taylors Road, Aberfoyle Park.

[KEYDEFENDER]

How some radical thinking.

A few clubs look at merging and having 12 sides in the comp. .... This may be the only way going forward the SFL may survive??

just a thought

It does not sound too silly V01.
Woodcroft Woodpeckers would be a start, close to a new family area with a couple of close schools.

[HH3]

Adding another team wouldnt help at all. They would more than likely be at the bottom end of the table as well. If there was an abundence of quality players in the SFL, wouldnt you think the ones that dont get A grade games at the top clubs would go to the lower clubs for better opportunity? If that was the case, there would be no problem with the SFL. As it stands, theres not enough decent players to fill the amount of A grade teams currently competing.

[afc9798]

Aberfoyle Park .... how about Taylors Road, Aberfoyle Park.

Well the Vikings are actually located on Taylors Rd West, so maybe he's suggesting there should be a new team based on Taylors Rd East?
Don't know what facilities they'd use though. Aberfoyle Angels? Hub Heffalumps? Perhaps they could bulldoze the BMX track and the new tennis club and build a second oval and clubrooms....

[Rush a Point]

How some radical thinking.

A few clubs look at merging and having 12 sides in the comp. .... This may be the only way going forward the SFL may survive??

just a thought

Perhaps Cove and OSB/Lonsdale should merge. They are close neighbors.

[Turbo]

How some radical thinking.

A few clubs look at merging and having 12 sides in the comp. .... This may be the only way going forward the SFL may survive??

just a thought

Perhaps Cove and OSB/Lonsdale should merge. They are close neighbors.

..and be called the cove cobras

[Straight Line]

Perhaps Cove and OSB/Lonsdale should merge. They are close neighbors.[/quote]

I think perhaps M Vale, Reynella and Hackham, Ports and Christies, Valleys and Flaggies, Noar and Aldinga, Towns and M Ville, Marion and Brighton should merge. There you go a 7 team comp with a final 5 system should work well. Whats the chances of this happening?????????

[barry footynut]

Is it possible that the 10 or so clubs interested In going to 2 divisions could form a breakaway competition (super southern football league) run by voted In people from the clubs involved?? Leaving the SFL to run a div 2 standard comp which seems to be the way the comps heading anyway. There seems to be alot of people on here involved in clubs that could probably run a much better competition than what the SFL is offering for the next few years atleast?????

[Champ]

Is it possible that the 10 or so clubs interested In going to 2 divisions could form a breakaway competition (super southern football league) run by voted In people from the clubs involved?? Leaving the SFL to run a div 2 standard comp which seems to be the way the comps heading anyway. There seems to be alot of people on here involved in clubs that could probably run a much better competition than what the SFL is offering for the next few years atleast?????

I think they'd quickly be joined by a atleast 3 hills country clubs....

[Straight Line]

If all these clubs want to join the SFL, then the SFL should talk to HFL about a div 1 hills, div 1 southern and div 2 southern hills comp.