Supporting Kangaroo Island's Young Footballers

For many young footballers growing up on Kangaroo Island, the dream of playing football at the highest level can feel a long way from home. But thanks to the strength of local clubs, dedicated volunteers, development pathways, and community partnerships, that journey is becoming more achievable than ever.

SeaLink South Australia is proud to support both the Kangaroo Island Football League (KIFL) and the South Adelaide Football Club, helping create opportunities for young players to develop their skills, compete at higher levels, and pursue their football ambitions.

Supporting Football on Kangaroo Island

Each year, SeaLink provides in-kind travel support to the Kangaroo Island Football League, as part of it's CommunityLink Program.

This support enables players, coaches, officials and volunteers to access development opportunities on the mainland while helping maintain strong participation across the league's five clubs. It also assists with the recruitment and retention of players, supports umpire development, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of football on Kangaroo Island.

Most importantly, it helps ensure talented young footballers have access to opportunities beyond the island, creating pathways that connect local grassroots football with higher-level development programs.

Creating Opportunities Beyond the Island

SeaLink's partnership with South Adelaide Football Club extends this pathway even further.

As Premier Partner of SAFC's junior development programs and a Silver Partner of the club, SeaLink supports opportunities for young footballers from Kangaroo Island, Adelaide's southern suburbs and the Fleurieu Peninsula to reach their potential. The partnership specifically focuses on player development and creating opportunities for young athletes to progress through their talent pathway.

The partnership includes in-kind ferry travel for Kangaroo Island resident students attending trials, training camps and matches, helping remove the logistical barriers often faced by regional athletes.

A Pathway Success Story

Kingscote Football Club player Cain Florance is a fantastic example of the pathway between the Kangaroo Island Football League and South Adelaide Football Club.

Starting as a four-year-old with the Kingscote Hounds Auskick program, Cain progressed through the KIFL ranks before joining South Adelaide’s talent pathway. His achievements with Kingscote Football Club include winning the Johnson Medal at just 13 and 14 years of age, playing in an A Grade premiership-winning side at 15 and being named Best on Ground in the grand final, a remarkable achievement.

Cain then progressed into South Adelaide’s development program, where he was selected to represent South Australia as an under-ager in the Under 16 State Team and U18 State Team this year.

Like many regional athletes, Cain’s journey has required significant commitment from both him and his family. In one year alone, they made more than 30 return ferry trips between Kangaroo Island and the mainland for training and games before eventually relocating to Adelaide to support his football development. His older brother, Blake, has also been part of the South Adelaide pathway, representing the club in both the Under 16 and Under 18 programs.

Most recently, Cain’s hard work and dedication have been recognised with an invitation to the AFL State Combine. His story highlights what can be achieved when talented young athletes are supported by strong local clubs, development pathways, community partnerships and their families, helping young footballers from Kangaroo Island take their next step.

SeaLink congratulates Cain Florance on his selection in the State Combine and wishes him every success as he continues his football journey, we look forward to watching what comes next.

More than a Sponsorship

Sport has a unique way of bringing communities together. It creates friendships, builds confidence, strengthens local connections and provides young people with opportunities to grow both on and off the field.

At SeaLink, we're proud to play a small part in supporting the pathways that help young Kangaroo Island footballers pursue their goals.

Seeing players like Cain progress from local footy to opportunities at the next level is a reminder of the positive impact football can have on individuals, families and the wider community.

Kangaroo Island Players to Progress Through the SAFC Pathway

Brendon Lade - Hailing from Wisanger on Kangaroo Island, Lade played junior/senior football before a stellar AFL career with the Port Adelaide Football Club (234 games, dual All-Australian, 2004 premiership player).

David Stoeckel - A star forward from Dudley United on KI who became a stalwart for South Adelaide in the SANFL, playing 267 games and kicking 391 goals.

Bradley Crabb - Originally from Western Districts on Kangaroo Island, he joined South Adelaide through the juniors, became club captain, and played over 200 SANFL games for the Panthers.

Damon Freitag - From Wisanger progressed through the South Adelaide talent pathway to debut in the SANFL League team in 2021. He became a focal point of their senior attack, kicking 73 goals across 65 senior games before deciding to move interstate.

Koby Cockshell - From the Kingscote and Wisanger football club before joining League at South Adelaide Football Club

Blake Florance - An inside midfielder originally from Kingscote who progressed through South Adelaide's Under-18 premiership team before continuing his football on the mainland.

Tate Lovering - From Kingscote Football Club to South Adelaide Football Club playing 110 games for the club.

Just a few of the success stories, with many more to come.