Liam Phillips
WITH the BLGFA women’s rules meeting in the books, the league is trending in the right direction with new sides hopefully set to take the field in both the seniors and under-14 ranks.
Many of the decisions have left the door open for games to be officiated on a case-by-case basis, with team numbers and oval capabilities likely dictating how, and when, each game takes place.
The option has been made available to clubs to play women’s matches immediately following the A-grade men if the oval has sufficient lighting to support it, which will undoubtedly bring more eyes to the product.
Gawler Central recruit, Tegan Nottle, said that she understands that the league is making an effort to not clash with the local netball leagues, but that she personally would be happy to do both.
“It’ll be tough on the body, but I mean how it is now, we play netball on a Saturday and get belted around, and then have to pick ourselves up Sunday and go again,” Nottle said.
“It’s probably better doing it on the same day, that way you don’t have time to cool down.”
The season will remain seven games plus finals, with the league deciding to prioritise not clashing with netball finals, as well as opening the door for the women to continue playing in another league.
The grand final is scheduled for June 28, giving the option for players to then transfer to the Adelaide Plains Football League ahead of its June 30 cut-off date, allowing the women to play a more complete season, even if it is spread across two teams and leagues, or even three if they also play SANFLW.
Football will still continue for some women who decide against signing up for the Adelaide Plains League, with the Zone Championships taking place two weeks after the grand final on July 12, followed a fortnight later by the Intra-League ‘North v South’ match on July 26.
“The extra exhibition games after the season are good, because they’re a way to get to play with people you haven’t played with before,” Willaston player Lauren Smith said.
“You get to build those relationships, and even though the season’s over, we still had that.”
The season will kick off on the weekend of the April 25-26, the second week of the men’s season, and one week before the conclusion of the SANFLW regular season.
Notable rules:
- Kick-out rule changed to match AFL
- Full oval if both teams have 16+ players
- Option to play under lights after men on Saturdays
Clubs likely to field senior women’s team:
- Barossa District
- Kapunda
- South Gawler
- Tanunda
- Willaston
- Gawler Central