Thursday’s announcement revealed there would be a North West and a South East division from 2027.
The North West division will include Berrigan, Blighty, Deni Rovers, Jerilderie, Mathoura, Picola United, Rennie and Tocumwal.
The South East division will include Barooga, Dookie United, Katamatite, Katandra, Katunga, Strathmerton, Tungamah and Waaia.
Clubs are still processing what this decision means for them following the consultation process and announcement, with some still yet to host player meetings about the change.
The league has been a united Picola & District league since 2017.
League president Brian Purtill said it was triggered by Barooga’s return to the Picola league this year.
Since then, there has reportedly been interest from other clubs to join the league.
Purtill said the split would ensure the league remained “strong and sustainable into the future”.
Barooga’s return promoted a nine-month review, during which the league board consulted clubs, assessed the competition data, historical trends and considered.
‘’Over the past nine months, the board has carefully considered feedback from every member club and undertaken a comprehensive review of the competition,’’ Purtill said.
‘’We believe this new structure provides the best opportunity to strengthen the league for the future.’
'’The introduction of the North West and South East divisions is designed to bring together clubs with similar community characteristics and resources, and create an environment where every club has the greatest opportunity to be successful both on and off the field.
‘’The PDFNL will continue to engage with clubs that have expressed an interest in joining the competition, and the board has committed to undertaking a further review of the competition structure within two years to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our clubs and communities.’’
Deniliquin Rovers Football Netball Club president Joshua Bode has reserved making comment on the decision until after a meeting with club members and stakeholders, expected to take place this week.
In a club statement provided to the Pastoral Times, the Blighty Football Netball Club acknowledged a split would have both benefits and drawbacks.
“In regards to the upcoming split, the positives outweigh the negatives as the club continues to build,” the club said.
“It is an opportunity to build stronger relationships with clubs officials and players, both on and off the field and court, thanks to more regular interactions.
“It will allow a stronger competition, providing all clubs to experience success.
“The negative impact Blighty may see is the increase of travel for out of town recruits. It might make retention and recruitment of those players much harder.”
Mathoura president Blake Keech said the view of the Timbercutters is that a split competition may create a “more connected and even competition”.
“We’re happy for it and congratulate the league for doing it,” Keech said.
“It will create opportunities for the future sustainability of the league, and it will be very good for us.
“We think it will help with signings, player retention, and all those things.
“It has been done before, and the good thing about it is that you know where you are and get to build on the relationships with clubs.
“Hopefully, more clubs also have a greater chance at finals. We’re very supportive of it and that it is going back to the way the league was.”
Further details on the split format and draft fixtures for 2027 are to be released in coming months.
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