From the Weekly Times
THE new-look Western Border league remains hopeful of luring South Australian club Penola in future seasons.
After losing three clubs to the neighbouring Hampden league over summer, Western Border will play a 15-round season with six clubs this year. Penola plays in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara league.
A review of football on the Victorian-South Australian border last year recommended the Mt Gambier-based league add Penola to its roster.
But Western Border chief executive David Heard said the league was yet to make a formal approach to any club.
"There's a lot of local discussion going on," he said.
"I've spoken to the club president at Penola informally on a couple of occasions and the indication is they're happy where they are at the moment.
"But unofficially we're getting feedback through the network that there is some genuine interest there."
Penola's most distant away game in the Western Border league would be at Casterton, 62km to the southeast.
In the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara league, the club travels an average 106km to away games.
Heard said Western Border had restructured its junior competition, which had been a "sticking point" for Penola.
"Whether (Penola joining the league) happens next year or the year after, I'm not sure, but I'm fairly sure it will happen.
"It's important we consolidate and get things right this year so it's appealing to them."
