LCFNL launches inaugural season

Outgoing interim Limestone Coast Football Netball League board chair Scott Duncan had a clear message to the six foundation clubs at the 2024 season launch.

“Be the best club you can be and be the best league we can be,” Duncan said.

The April 10 season launch saw the unveiling of new board members, club guernseys, the interleague guernsey and the return of naming rights sponsor Mount Gambier & Community Bendigo Bank junior development program.

The Limestone Coast Football Netball League (LCFNL) board will be chaired by long time football administrator, Adelaide-based Kurt Slaven, who spent time at the helm of South Gambier during his time as a police detective in Mount Gambier and has also had the top job at Woodville-West Torrens.

“I had a wonderful time within the Western Border Football League during my time here in Mount Gambier,” Slaven said. “Going forward the new league will get kids playing football and netball and enjoying life to the fullest in the South East.”

Penola announcing its intent to join the league in 2025 added a spark to the season launch.

“The board’s vision will be getting an eighth team in 2025,” Slaven said. “It’s important we enjoy ourselves and get together to have a great year – things are only going to get better.”

Slaven will be joined on the board with David Shipway OAM, Nick Zema, Tanya Coxon, Adrian Flowers, Michael Summers, Adam Salmon and Di Gould.

SANFL Head of Community Football Shawn Ford took the time to credit the interim chair, Scott Duncan, for the work done to get the new league off the ground since the October 2023 decision by the State governing body.

“We needed someone to get this thing moving, to take up the reins and get things moving,” Ford said. “We wouldn’t be standing here today without the work that Scott has put together.”

The work of junior football representative Adam Salmon was also highlighted given the change in age groups for the new competition and the scheduling complexities.

Naming rights sponsor Bendigo Bank also unveiled the return of an awards scheme that will see junior footballers and netballers rewarded for their on and off field/court performance.