Mini League in trouble?

There's some talk that the Mini League might be in doubt for 2012 because of the lack of a sponsor. I think it'd be a great shame to lose it, as it's one of the dwindling number of opportunities to expose young kids to the SANFL.

Wasn't the Mini League in trouble a couple years back due to the lack of a sponsor?

How much does it cost to run? (Not that I have the cash to prop it up... )

The last sponsor was the State Government 'Be Active' wasn't it? I think also, Savings and Loans Credit Union had previously been involved and didn't Coca Cola have a lengthy sponsorship of it prior to that. It would be a massive shame to see it scrapped, I'm sure many of us, myself included, all have fond memories of playing mini-league for our favourite club.

In a nutshell, Coca Cola sponsored it for years (I reckon they were sponsoring it in the early '90's when I literally got roped into playing). When Coca Cola sponsored it, it was generally played on the entire ground (I think Norwood was the exception with their Auskick-style grid games)

Then they pulled out in 2006 and Be Active stepped in at the last minute in 2007, which saw the game reduced to one end of the ground, with the kick and catch at the opposite end of the ground. Eventually this was shifted to the middle of the ground with kick and catch inside the 50's.

Australian Central/Savings and Loans Credit Union (now People's Choice Credit Union) only stepped in last season. I'm surprised they've only sponsored it for one season and now pulling out - doesn't make a good look for them from a brand perspective IMO.

I also echo the sentiments that it would be an absolute shame for the mini league to be discontinued, and would certainly leave a massive hole in terms of half time entertainment on match days. I hope this attracts sufficient media attention and someone will step in and sponsor the mini-league.

I don't suppose the SANFL could approach the AFL about the mini-league being incorporated into Auskick, which would probably ensure the long-term future of the concept, but to be honest I would be very surprised if the AFL would do this.

I remember my younger brothers being so excited to play mini league. They both got to do it on the Adelaide Oval too, what a buzz for a little tacker!

Hopefully someone comes up with the cash so it can continue.

Because I was a mad West supporter living in Glenelg's zone, I can remember pledging to myself that if I was selected to play mini league for the Bays, I would refuse. Sadly, the week our school team was chosen to represent Glenelg, I was denied the opportunity of making this stand, when the coach persisted in playing me in the B's.

I represented WWT on 4 or 5 occasions because of where I went to school, twice at Footy Park and a few times at Woodville and once at Alberton from memory. I was also chosen to represent Collingwood against the Crows in 95 or 96!

They'll just have to revert to what happened prior to when mini-league started in 1969.

My local U13 team played at Norwood Oval once a year, and I played a game in 1966, 67, 68. All the club would need to do is put on a free coke and a pie, and the kids would love it.

I recall the 66 game was played across the ground and we won. The following season they played full ground which was ridiculous. I played full forward and never got near the ball, let alone get a kick.

I certainly hope that it is just talk, I heard it said on radio by the rumour monger last night.

He didn't go into any detail regarding this , maybe more will come out about it soon.

Someone associated with the Auskick and junior footy at another SANFL club mentioned elsewhere that he is aware there is no funding, at this stage, for the mini league this coming season BUT it doesn't mean it is going to stop. The clubs will just have to run it in house and use their own resources for it. Hopefully sounds like good news.

Don't like barracking for the orange team.
Would rather see the uniforms of the 2 clubs even if there is a big sponsor logo splashed across it.

testy1 wrote:
I certainly hope that it is just talk, I heard it said on radio by the rumour monger last night.

He didn't go into any detail regarding this , maybe more will come out about it soon.

The Iraqi Information Minister has more credibility than 'Ralph' (if that's who you're referring to)

Brucetiki wrote:

testy1 wrote:
I certainly hope that it is just talk, I heard it said on radio by the rumour monger last night.

He didn't go into any detail regarding this , maybe more will come out about it soon.

The Iraqi Information Minister has more credibility than 'Ralph' (if that's who you're referring to)

He surprised Glenn Cooper knowing about Coopers getting the beer contract for all Aussie V8 events.

Eagles have a plan B in place to go. Personally this is a WOW moment for the kids to be our guests for the day and play footy on the big oval with a big crowd ... must continue.

Darren Chandler confirmed tonight that they are looking for a sponsor to cover this year's mini league.The cost of running it comes to around $40,000 per season and the league hopes a corporate sponsor will come forward to cover these costs.

Failing that, other solutions may have to be found (eg, clubs covering costs.)

Great news...

The mini league has been saved...

IGA came on board as the sponsor this morning, it was announced on 5AA with Tim Ginevar...

That's fantastic news.

Seems to be a bit of a succession plan with SANFL sponsorship - Savings & Loans sponsored the Family Friendly areas for years before sponsoring the mini-league and IGA have done the same.

Good news for all the kids out there in footy land. well done to IGA.

Make sure you support you local IGA in return as a means of thanks...

I’m always forgetting my shopping list, so it’s nice to know that every time I’ve had to go off
to an after hours IGA, that money is now going into The Mini League.
Oh bugga! This’ll stuff up the new diet. Now I’ll feel guilty if I DON’T buy an extra choccy !
Nice work IGA !

Big Phil wrote:Make sure you support you local IGA in return as a means of thanks...

Always BP, the one on the corner of Grand Junction Rd and North East Rd gets plenty of business out of me!

Iam a country lad & played a Mini league match for Norwood and it was fantastic.

To have IGA now onboard is sensational

THE MORE KIDS AT THE FOOTY THE BETTER

AA

We need any kids, juniors, adolsescents etc to take a real interest in the sanfl for it to continue in what we older folks know it to be.

Anyway that can be achieved is worth pursuing for mine.