A Murray Mallee Football Summit will be held at Karoonda Football Club on July 20 to provide each club and league with a forum to formally table their positions.

The forum will give clubs and leagues a better understanding of their progress and identify ways to protect the game in as many communities as possible. Invitations have been extended to the Mallee, River Murray, Riverland, Hills and Mid Murray leagues, as well as the South Australian National Football League and clubs West Adelaide and Sturt.

Murray Mallee Barrier region director Tim Jackson said clubs were asked to submit in advance the number of juniors they have in the under age teams and the number of locally-based and travelling senior players.

Each football club is also urged to submit in advance a small summary of what they believe their future holds and the major challenges facing their club’s survival.

Jackson said the forum was not about forcing mergers or changing leagues, but being proactive about providing youth with access to the sport each season.

“Some of the club have the same problems and this will be chance to talk about them,” Jackson said.

The clubs will be asked to appoint a delegate to speak on their behalf to discuss the issues. The summit will also be an opportunity to find out what assistance is available for struggling clubs.

“As we know there are a number of issues facing football clubs across our district, so this day is designed to bring everyone together and formulate a plan of action for as many people to stay in the coming years,” Jackson said.

Mallee Football Association president Leighton Huxtable said he hoped to learn how to run a viable league in the present climate.

“We can’t keep playing if we only have three or four teams in the league,” Huxtable said.

Huxtable said the clubs and leagues needed to be positive about the situation.

Clubs are being asked to send at least two delegates to the summit.

- Details: For more information on the forum contact Tim Jackson on 8586 5488 or email jms@riverland.net.au