SFNL chairman PAUL MATHESON is strong voice for football and netball in this region, but he is concerned what impact COVID-19 will have on local leagues in 2021. He joins the Sunraysia Daily to look at the challenges the MFL and SFNL have ahead.
READING the news about the AFL finances and how it may impact us in Sunraysia as sport administrators it would be neglectful if we didn’t consider all scenarios.
How this looks in the sporting arena will be different and maybe it’s now time for us to consider change.
Personally, I believe the most important consideration of the Sunraysia Football Netball League (SFNL) board is the sustainability of our existing clubs and the financial stability of the league.
The reality is COVID-19 has now changed the way we think and the most important thing for us as a league is providing the opportunities for everyone to play sport.
These are my personal beliefs, but I do believe I speak on behalf of people within our member clubs and the Sunraysia community.
It would be sad if people who are aligned with the Millewa Football League (MFL) missed the opportunity to play football or netball because their competition ceased.
Then there are the other considerations, the social interaction it provides or even the history that could be lost. No one wants to see the demise of a league, but I’m sure it has happened in other country areas already.
If the SFNL did need to absorb the loss of the Millewa league, I know we have many SFNL clubs who would openly welcome new clubs, players, families, supporters and sponsors. In some respects, I wonder whether our current clubs and the community would be stronger, more successful and more inclusive, being one league with increased participation, supporters, and opportunities.
Over the years, I have seen in other leagues clubs amalgamate successfully, but still keep their tradition and connection to their respective communities.
It is fair to say that a club like Gol Gol, which will have the residential and population growth, would be well placed in the future to join the SFNL.
I would envisage some issues with junior numbers, but with forward planning that could be overcome.
For this reason, if it was thrown on us at the last minute, it would make it difficult to facilitate and manage – as with any new club, but not impossible.
We already have some clubs who cannot field all junior football teams and we make it happen so kids don’t miss out.
As a league, the glaring issue for us would be how could we possibly accommodate all the additional netball players if it wasn’t a whole club joining the SFNL and women’s football. In relation to women’s football, this would be a problem for AFL Sunraysia as it is within their charter to deliver the competition.
Could they opt to run a standalone Friday night season?
We do need to remember what female football has contributed to the MFL and this cannot be underestimated and has probably kept some of these clubs financial.
This is not something we want to lose as a community, providing sport for females, contributing on and off the field. This is an area the AFL need to assist, it cannot be left to the goodwill or finances of the SFNL.
Some SFNL clubs already struggle for reserve football numbers and this influences the amount of people we have watching our senior games and the opportunity for clubs to generate income, let alone the atmosphere and socialisation it creates.
There is also the belief, which I share, in that not playing this year will severely affect our numbers next year in football and netball.
How many reserve footballers will pull the pin? What about the kids who we already struggle to get to play sport once they reach 15-plus years?
Obviously my views may not be shared by everyone, but the reality is these discussions need to happen, we need solutions, so I applaud the Sunraysia Daily for asking the questions. ome of my comments may also appear selfish on behalf of the SFNL, but isn’t it more important we provide sports for our youth with great facilities, and an ongoing, sustainable, progressive and inclusive sporting environment?
Irrespective of my personal beliefs, as a board – if we were approached by any club to join the SFNL – we would consider all the options and seek feedback from our member clubs. This discussion is required, but sadly many clubs and sports will experience participation and financial implications moving forward beyond 2020.
