future of saasl and csl

[edenhazard]

4 clubs from sunday div 1/2 have put in an eoi to go to FSA next year
2 clubs from saturday div 1/2 as well

more teams leaving saasl go to collegiate league as well

likely from next year will only 3 divisions with a/b in both sunday and saturday

feels like it is the beginning of a significant decline

[gameon]

4 clubs from sunday div 1/2 have put in an eoi to go to FSA next year
2 clubs from saturday div 1/2 as well

more teams leaving saasl go to collegiate league as well

likely from next year will only 3 divisions with a/b in both sunday and saturday

feels like it is the beginning of a significant decline

Just part of Football Australia and Football SA's master plan. CSL will be ok as they are about to be transformed into a community league run in conjunction with the Feds. A slow death for SAASL especially the Saturday league.

[INTERISTA]

The SAASL teams that have made the jump to CSL have yet to make it out of Div. 3 (lowest Div) in CSL. So you could make a point that they weren't the strongest anyways. (East Adelaide may get promoted this Season).

Moving to FSA SL 2/3 (whatever it will be called) is the prob the bigger concern. Even if they maintain a SAASL squad it wont be as strong as it was before. Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

[nathanburns15]

The SAASL teams that have made the jump to CSL have yet to make it out of Div. 3 (lowest Div) in CSL. So you could make a point that they weren't the strongest anyways. (East Adelaide may get promoted this Season).

Which teams have moved over?

[INTERISTA]

The SAASL teams that have made the jump to CSL have yet to make it out of Div. 3 (lowest Div) in CSL. So you could make a point that they weren't the strongest anyways. (East Adelaide may get promoted this Season).

Which teams have moved over?

Adelaide Uni Black - Div 3(But they kept a team in SAASL, they maybe completely separate from each other)

Adelaide Wanderers - single team club in Div 3C

East Adelaide - Div 3

Flinders Uni - Div 3

Hahndorf - Div 3C (they don't want to play higher as they feel they aren't competitive enough so ressies play Div 6)

McClaren Vale - Div 3C (they don't want to play higher as they feel they aren't competitive enough so ressies play Div 5

Plympton Bulldogs - Div 3

Woodside - Div 3C (they don't want to play higher as they feel they aren't competitive enough so ressies play Div 6)

For context Div 1 to Div 3 have promotion and relegation. Also have ressies attached.

Div 3C is like an appendage, meant for clubs with one team but has been padded out by Clubs from the above. There is no promotion or relegation.

Div 4 to Div 6 are for the bigger clubs to play there C's and Ds in. No promotion or relegation. Their make up is done each year on an ad hoc basis. For example Clubs like Rostrevor with 6 teams field Div 1. Div 1 Ressies then 4,5,6 & 7.

[INTERISTA]

Sorry I just remembered that Adelaide Uni Black made it Div 2 but we're relegated last year. Again tho not sure if they're part of the SAASL set up or their own thing.

[Olimpico]

Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

This. I see it as a positive for the state that more clubs are ready and willing to step up, promote juniors and women's, and getting facilities up to a standard.

There will always be amateur clubs starting up. The question is will the pyramid be connected? Having amateur divisions is the perfect place for new clubs, it's like they're onboarding leagues.

What's the attraction of moving from SAASL to CSL though?

[gameon]

Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

This. I see it as a positive for the state that more clubs are ready and willing to step up, promote juniors and women's, and getting facilities up to a standard.

There will always be amateur clubs starting up. The question is will the pyramid be connected? Having amateur divisions is the perfect place for new clubs, it's like they're onboarding leagues.

What's the attraction of moving from SAASL to CSL though?

The attraction is CSL's closer affiliation with the Feds. SAASL is in direct competition with the Feds and is not part of the greater plan for football in this state. Clubs are starting to position themselves to this affiliation so they can then move up to State league in the future or stay in the lower leagues. SAASL has an affiliation but it is not strong and seems tenuous at best at the moment. Interesting times for local football.

[INTERISTA]

I assume it's Refs. Every game (Div 1 to 7) presently gets a match official and Div 1A often get linesmen too. CSL has been pro active in developing and upskilling their own pool of Refs. CSL refs usually do the lower Div games.

[gameon]

I assume it's Refs. Every game (Div 1 to 7) presently gets a match official and Div 1A often get linesmen too. CSL has been pro active in developing and upskilling their own pool of Refs. CSL refs usually do the lower Div games.

As the refs can decide which league they want to officiate in, that tells you what they think of SAASL. The Feds control the refs association, so are refs being pressured not to support a league they are in competition with? If you don't have proper officials then some results will be manipulated as has happened in the past. Some Premier league games in SAASL have not had official refs while CSL have had good representation.

[Marinos]

Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

This. I see it as a positive for the state that more clubs are ready and willing to step up, promote juniors and women's, and getting facilities up to a standard.

There will always be amateur clubs starting up. The question is will the pyramid be connected? Having amateur divisions is the perfect place for new clubs, it's like they're onboarding leagues.

What's the attraction of moving from SAASL to CSL though?

The attraction is CSL's closer affiliation with the Feds. SAASL is in direct competition with the Feds and is not part of the greater plan for football in this state. Clubs are starting to position themselves to this affiliation so they can then move up to State league in the future or stay in the lower leagues. SAASL has an affiliation but it is not strong and seems tenuous at best at the moment. Interesting times for local football.

With the exception of a handful of clubs, CSL is far more metro based than SAASL, which is why a number of clubs moved over originally. Affiliated amateur sides of Fed sides can pass players up/down with CSL for additional game time also.

SAASL Sunday comps have always been very Northern-centric.

[nathanburns15]

I don't believe refs are being pressure to not do SAASL games, but rather the behaviour of certain clubs in SAASL is putting the refs off making themselves available for SAASL games.

[gameon]

I don't believe refs are being pressure to not do SAASL games, but rather the behaviour of certain clubs in SAASL is putting the refs off making themselves available for SAASL games.

I agree the behaviour of some clubs is not great and I am not using it as an excuse but after the new refs association was taken over by Football SA a lot of SAASL refs weren't happy and gave the game away. In my opinion SAASL are now getting sub standard refs and this in turn is causing poor behaviour. The Feds will be delighted by this EOI response so far.

[dhoyle]

I don't believe refs are being pressure to not do SAASL games, but rather the behaviour of certain clubs in SAASL is putting the refs off making themselves available for SAASL games.

Several refs have told me exactly this.

They get to elect whether they do SAASL or not, but saying yes to reffing SAASL means they take the whole thing, they can't choose to not ref particular clubs - which has meant they'd rather play it safe and write off the whole league than face the abuse / threats they'd received in the past.

[17N]

The SAASL teams that have made the jump to CSL have yet to make it out of Div. 3 (lowest Div) in CSL. So you could make a point that they weren't the strongest anyways. (East Adelaide may get promoted this Season).

Moving to FSA SL 2/3 (whatever it will be called) is the prob the bigger concern. Even if they maintain a SAASL squad it wont be as strong as it was before. Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

Comets and Cobras CSL sides commenced in the SAASL.

[nathanburns15]

Lot's of cases of clubs switching from SAASL to CSL, are there many clubs that have made the switch the other way?

[INTERISTA]

The SAASL teams that have made the jump to CSL have yet to make it out of Div. 3 (lowest Div) in CSL. So you could make a point that they weren't the strongest anyways. (East Adelaide may get promoted this Season).

Moving to FSA SL 2/3 (whatever it will be called) is the prob the bigger concern. Even if they maintain a SAASL squad it wont be as strong as it was before. Maybe time to do away with separate Sunday and Sat comps & have one joint SAASL hierarchy as suggested on here.

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players. Just depends on how itll look.

Comets and Cobras CSL sides commenced in the SAASL.

True. I was referencing Clubs that would be considered SAASL in the main, in the sense of not being affiliated with FSA and 100% amateur status. But its a good point, most of CSL growth has really be driven from FSA Clubs entering a team into the CSL. So far its:

Adelaide Hills Hawks
Birkalla
Campbelltown
Cobras
Comets
Cumberland
Eastern United
Fulham
Mt Barker United (Although they started off as a CSL team)
Pt Pirates
South Adelaide
Sturt Lions
Vipers
Western Strikers


Unley Old Scholars were briefly affiliated with Adelaide City for a couple of years too.

[INTERISTA]

Lot's of cases of clubs switching from SAASL to CSL, are there many clubs that have made the switch the other way?

The only one I can think of in recent history was Prince Alfred Old Scholars.

Aldinga Sharks joined in 2023 - had a dispute with the CSL Executive Committee and then subsequently withdrew & rejoined SAASL in 2024.

Old Ignitions started in the CSL but moved to SAASL in the early 90s. Similar situation for St Peters Old Scholars.
OISC won the CSL in 90/91&92 and SPOC won it in 93.

I don't think BOSA or Gleeson have ever competed in the CSL.

[Nice One Cyril]

I think there will always be a place (market) for amatuer players.

You'd certainly hope so. Putting aside the power struggles of those at the top, the more chances there are for people of every age to play the game, the better. Like Sunday League in England, it gives a chance for those on the way up to impress and those on the way down to continue playing, not everybody can find time to train three nights a week as well as matchday.

[edenhazard]

Sunday's safe for now

Looks like 3 up from sat div 2 which won't include Grove who are top 2, so 3rd and 4th up

4 up from Div 3 to Div 2 if one of the relegated teams go collegiate

Hard to see anything other than 3x2 team divisions in Saturday

[Olimpico]

Would these competitions ever go to 12 teams per div? Or is the quality between top and bottom too much? Or 22 matches too many?

[haywood djablowme]

Would these competitions ever go to 12 teams per div? Or is the quality between top and bottom too much? Or 22 matches too many?

Alot of club share their facilities with cricket clubs, so having the ability to increase number of games won't work!

[Olimpico]

Would these competitions ever go to 12 teams per div? Or is the quality between top and bottom too much? Or 22 matches too many?

Alot of club share their facilities with cricket clubs, so having the ability to increase number of games won't work!

Damn, how long are the cricket seasons?! It's just fitting in another four matches... maybe they could have a few midweeks instead of training hehe

[brushmancity]

I believe cricket season goes October to March and Football April to September. That’s why a lot of clubs wanting preseason game arrange to be away. The clubs that share really don’t have a say cos the councils own the grounds. There are a few that are lucky but not many.

[BeNatural]

Hearing more clubs moving to CSL next season and likely in future years.

Then you have the clubs who are moving to State League, more clubs will move over in the years to come too.

How long until SAASL merges into the FSA?

[INTERISTA]

The CSL is basically a FSA league now. The take over is nearly complete. There are now more Non Collegiate teams then there are Collegiate teams competing in the league.

2024 CSL had 17 CSL teams, whereas there were 15 teams from FSA and 6 other (SAASL/ random). Although you could argue that Uni Black aren't FSA.

Next year we know of 2 FSA teams entering, Modbury Vista and Adelaide Victory/ Athletico. So FSA teams will total 17 & a club down south I think Woodcroft is forming. Not sure if they are from a school or not.

Some Collegiate clubs are starting to feel the pinch. Mercedes the second biggest Club by titles is in Div 3 with back to back relegations.

CSL has yet to attract a "big club" from SAASL. The real growth is FSA Clubs wanting to add men's amateur squads. I think the established SAASL teams may not want to get in bed with FSA. So bit deceptive to say CSL is attracting Clubs. The growth is mostly driven from FSA Clubs.

ROCSC at their AGM had the discussion to enter teams into SAASL (not leave CSL entirely) but it was decided to defer a decision until 2026.

[haywood djablowme]

Hearing more clubs moving to CSL next season and likely in future years.

Then you have the clubs who are moving to State League, more clubs will move over in the years to come too.

How long until SAASL merges into the FSA?

SAASL is already in bed with FSA. Some questioned if it was the right decision