Colts stay on hold

THE Southern Football League’s highly anticipated under-18s division has been temporarily shelved.
But while the league holds off on launching its own under-18 competition until further notice, it is urging clubs to enter a junior side into the Mornington Peninsula-Nepean Football League’s (MPNFL) under-18 colts competition next season.
Newly appointed CEO Phil Stevens recognised the importance of introducing an organic under-18 competition into the SFL, but said the timing had to be right.
“In terms of feeding clubs with numbers through the junior ranks, having a colts competition is very important,” he said.
“The planning has to be correct, however, so our new division is probably another year away.”
The MPNFL under-18 colts competition has six teams – Frankston, Seaford, Aspendale, Narre Warren, Beaconsfield and Hallam – and serves as the second tier of its fully-fledged under-18 division.
SFL director Stephen Barnes said the league would enter a combined team and a couple of stand alone sides.
“It’s still early days, but we’re confident of entering a four-club composite side and a few individual teams,” he said.
The composite side will bring together Sandown Cobras, Lyndale Pumas, Parkmore Pirates and Dingley Dingoes, while Clayton and Mordialloc have already signalled their intentions to go it alone.
Barnes said it was a giant leap forward for the SFL.
“To start the process of getting junior sides out on the park is a big step.
“Aside from recruiting, feeding senior clubs with junior players is so important to ensuring the survival of clubs and the league itself,” Barnes said.
The MPNFL under 18 colts division is set for a steep rise in popularity, with 18 teams attending a recent meeting.
“It looks like its going to be a strong competition,” Barnes said. “We’re looking forward to it.”