News

In an historic night for the McDonalds Ballarat FNL, Woady Yaloak Football Netball Club has been admitted as an affiliated club of the league.

After a period of four years planning and support, Woady Yaloak FNC will be the 13th club member of the league and will formally compete in the junior competition from 2023 onwards.

With support from Golden Plains Shire, AFL Victoria and the league, the addition of the club will continue to cater for the growth of junior football and netball across the region.

With junior participation on the rise after the COVID period, Woady Yaloak meets the need of families in the region around Smythesdale and Haddon towards the Ballarat West growth corridor.

Fielding four football and two netball teams participating, the BFNL junior competition continues to grow and place itself as the premier junior competition in the region.

BFNL Chair Adrian Bettio

“It’s fantastic to have Woady Yaloak formally a member of the league after a lot of work to get to this point. Congratulations to Adam and Mark and all the volunteers and families that will be part of the league moving forward.”

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL junior competition will kick off on the 16th April 2023 with ten clubs competing across 10 age groups.

In line with the AFL stance, the BFUA will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to umpire abuse, disrespect and dissent across all grades of the McDonald's Ballarat Football Netball League.

In line with the AFL’s strict stance against umpire abuse, the BFUA will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to umpire abuse, disrespect, and dissent from the 2022 season onwards.

Players, coaches, and officials who abuse umpires, dispute decisions or behave in a disrespectful manner towards umpires will be penalised by way of free kicks, 50m penalties, send-offs and reports.

This stance will be adopted across all grades.

Umpires have been instructed to apply a strict interpretation of the rules surrounding umpire abuse and these rules apply to abuse or disrespect towards or in relation to any umpire – field, boundary or goal.

The best policy is to remove your focus away from the umpires to avoid exchanges that could potentially cost your side. As always, umpires are happy to discuss rules or decisions, and we welcome opportunities to engage constructively.

We appreciate the support of club leaders, namely coaches and captains, who have a huge degree of influence in this space.

This change enables us to create a better match-day environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the league.