The organisation began in 1912 as the Sturt Football Association, becoming the Mid-Southern Football Association in 1920 and the Glenelg District Football Association in 1931, a name it retained until 1950 when it became the Glenelg South West Districts Football League. It again changed its name in 1968 to Glenelg and South Adelaide Districts Football Association. The association was again renamed in 1984 to become the Southern Metropolitan Football League, existing as such until disbanded in 1986.