UGSFL 2025: New coach for Katanning Wanderers as they chase improved season with new facility upgrades

A newly resurfaced Quartermaine Oval will be the venue for the 2025 Upper Great Southern Football League grand final, as excitement builds ahead of the new season starting on Saturday. Katanning Wanderers will host this year’s premiership decider, which comes after significant upgrades to Quartermaine Oval by the Shire of Katanning. The upgrades include a new playing surface, new lights, new drainage, new reticulation and relevelling. Round one of the UGSFL will start on Saturday with the first game at Quartermaine Oval set for Belt-Up Round on May 18. The Tigers who finished winless and on the bottom of the ladder in 2024, will be under a new coach in Darren Schloithe this season. They will start their campaign against Brookton-Pingelly on Sunday before away games against Kukerin-Dumbleyung and Narrogin. The Tigers first home game will be against reigning premiers Boddington in round four and they will have three consecutive matches at Quartermaine Oval, then face Williams in round five and Wagin in round six. The new upgrade will allow the club to hold some night fixtures later in the season, with one slotted down against the Hawks on August 9 starting at 4pm. Round one will start on Saturday with a twilight fixture at Clayton Road Oval as the Hawks host Wickepin with bouncedown at 4pm. The Eagles will start their premiership defence against the Cougars at Boddington on Sunday while the Bulldogs and Cats clash at Matera Oval on Sunday as well. UGSFL president Kim Melvin said clubs were looking forward to getting the new season under way. The Panthers are fielding a thirds team this year, making that a six-team competition in a boost for the UGSFL. Four of the eight league teams will have new coaches with Duncan Synnot taking over the Hawks while Dion Anthony takes charge of Wickepin and Aaron Morton is coaching the Panthers. “Brookton-Pingelly having a C-grade side will help,” Melvin said. “We have a new oval surface and new lights in Katanning who will play a couple of night games later in the year. “I think player numbers should be ok, a couple of clubs will be a little bit down in the reserves.” The UGSFL have adopted Country Football WA’s Statewide player points system, with 42 points agreed on at the UGSFL annual general meeting for all league teams in 2025. Melvin predicted an even closer competition this year. “At the AGM it was voted on 42 points for all teams,” he said. “We feel its fairer to be even across the board. “Narrogin have recruited very well and will be one to watch but I think overall it will be an even competition. “I don’t think we will have those blowouts and first to bottom will not be as big a gap which will be good.” The UGSFL grand final will be played at Quartermaine Oval on Sunday, September 7.