Change in Community Football

The Sunday Football League announced at Wednesday night’s Community Football Council General Meeting that it would not be operating for 2009.

Four clubs, Maddington, Gosnells, Kelmscott and Canning, will seek admission into the Western Australian Amateur Football League, while Kenwick and Armadale will nominate to join the Peel Football League. Thornlie had previously nominated and was accepted into the WAAFL in December, 2008.

Sunday Football League Chairman, Wayne Molloy, noted the disappointment for the Directors and the clubs in making this decision but advised there was no viable alternative. “The Directors have been working hard over the past months to ensure that a six club Sunday Football League competition was viable for 2009. Unfortunately due to concerns over the competitiveness and viability of some clubs, this has not eventuated. Our focus has always been to ensure that all SFL clubs continue to exist. The clubs have had to make this difficult call for their own existence.”

Community Football Council Chairman, Brian Sierakowski, expressed the Council’s disappointment at the demise of the SFL but acknowledged the change was necessary and in the best interest of community football. “The CFC is fully supportive of Sunday football and has always provided its support to preserve the SFL. Unfortunately participation and social trends are indicating a preference for Saturday based competitions. The CFC will ensure full support for the integration of the SFL clubs into other competitions.”

The WAAFL and PFL Boards will be meeting with their clubs over the next week to discuss the acceptance of the respective clubs.