Western Eyre Football League President raises comment on the competition changes accross the Eyre Peninsula. For those who dont know Ron, he is a straight shooter with his heart very much focussed on the ongoing improvement of football in our region. Having played league football with Glenelg in the halycon era of the club, late 60s and early 70s, he went on to spend many years on the GFC Board. A life member of the Far West FL he is never one to shirk any issue. This time around he is offering a bouquet of flowers though, worthwhile repeating in our League. (Editor):
What a remarkable few months we have witnessed in football on Eyre Peninsula, amalgamations, agreements between clubs to play in other Leagues, a new league formed and sadly the demise of the Mid West Football League.
It has been a long time coming and history will be the judge if the correct decisions have been made. It has been emotional, fiercely debated, friendships tested and after around forty years discussion (mainly discussion) it caused somebody to “Bite the Bullet”.
There have been many football people that have been advocates of change concerning football and netball on Eyre Peninsula however three of them are standouts.
Courage lives in a very lonely place and it has few new house guests, however these peopled need to be acknowledged for the part they have played.
Eastern Eyre Football League under the leadership of Andrew “Spud” Jenner put the snowball on top of the mountain when they approached Great Flinders about amalgamating a couple of years ago (albeit with no positive response ) but it did get people seriously thinking about the future .
Central Eyre and Wudinna United football clubs led by Jared Sampson and Shaine Dupree respectively started the snowball rolling when they made the move to amalgamate and play in the Eastern Eyre Competition.
This in turn caused The West Coast Hawks and Wirrulla to apply to enter the Far West Football League, those two clubs also showed a great deal of courage in the face of strong criticism.
As a result of that move Western Districts and Elliston have come together to play in the Great Flinders League for one year only at this stage, the decision will reassessed at the end of the 2021 season.
“Spud”, Jared and Shaine showed tremendous courage and strength of character in leading their organisations to these emotional and momentous decisions. There are many others that have supported the cause but these men at the end of the day were the leaders who will forever be remembered as those that made it happen. (That’s the price of leadership)
SANFL and The Eyre Peninsula Football Council also played their part although were subjected to some quite unfair criticisms.
It has reinforced my belief in having the courage of your convictions, hard decisions need to be addressed and action taken by administrators quickly or we will continue to be terribly ineffective.
One last word, the snowball of change is still rolling down the mountain, mark my words there is more to come and it will be sooner than later.
Welcome to everyone on behalf of the newly formed Western Eyre Football League and as they say in football parlance – “SEE YA SATDEE”
Cheers
Ron Redford
President
Western Eyre Football League.
Last Modified on 16/04/2021 16:49