As we head into our fourth week of an enthralling BFLW senior women's season, lets have a look and how each of our clubs has started their year and what's on the horizon.

Darley

The reigning back-to-back premiers are yet to drop a game to start the season.

Opening round saw the Devils face off in a grand final rematch with rivals Redan, in a game that was full passion and tenacity where Darley came out 7 point victors.

In Rounds 1 and 2, the Devils took out comfortable wins over Lake Wendouree and East Point respectively. 

With plenty of team success, last week saw individual achievements claimed when club stalwart and loved teammate Kim Bessell booted her 300^th league goal.

The celebrating continues this weekend when they hoist their 2024 BFLW Senior Women’s Premiership Flag at Darley Park.

Can The Devils keep riding this winning wave or will an unexpected upset happen against the Redbacks this weekend?

Bacchus Marsh

The Marsh have started strong in season 2025 winning their first three games and holding opponents East Point, Carisbrook and Lakers to no score.

For this reason, remarkably, the Cobras still are yet to register a percentage on the ladder despite putting 316 points on the board themselves to begin the year.

This week will see the Cobras take on Redan in an evenly matched game one would think given both team's start to year.

The contest should put Bacchus Marsh in good stead for their following match after Easter against cross town rivals Darley.

Bacchus Marsh have also been celebrating milestones with Summer Marchewka chalking up her 100^th game of footy in Round 2, it’s worth noting that 98 of these games were played at Bacchus Marsh!

Redan

Redan have had a good start to 2025, following a good competitive game against Darley in opening round.

The Lions hit the front in the last quarter to only go down by 7 points in a hard-fought game.

Rounds 1 and 2 saw Redan claim good wins over East Point and Carisbrook, to get their season rolling.

This week they will take on Bacchus Marsh, in what should be an evenly matched contest with the winner set to take bragging rights on the ladder.

The Lions are also supporting the OnTrack foundation as part of this weekend's Wellness Round and accepting Donations throughout the week.

Redan have been a well oiled machine with plenty of experience on their side, watch out for the Maroon and Gold as the season progresses.

Lake Wendouree

The Lakers had a win over Carisbrook in Opening Round but have gone on to register two losses over the past fortnight.

This week they take on East Point which predicts to be a very even tussle between two fiercely competative sides.

Both clubs will be looking to get the win before heading into the Easter break and enjoying the long weekend with a W in their basket.

The Lakers will be keen for Captain Demi Thompson and small forward Chelsea Dew to bag a few this weekend to come away with the win.

East Point

Opening Round saw the Dragons debut 8 senior players as the new look side continues to grow together to start the year.

Whilst East Point are yet to win a game they are certainly starting to gel through the midfield with their aim now to get a stronger score on the board.

Their first win could come this week over the Lakers.

It will be a big day for the club as they celebrate its 'Live4life' round, with raffles and memrobillia being sold on the day for the charity.

Lauren Butler from the Collingwood AFLW team will also be in attendance for a post match function, so expect a big turnout down at Eastern Oval on Sunday! 

With plenty of fresh faces, it will be worth keeping an eye on the Dragons' devlopment, as each week will bring more confidence and moving into the back end of season could see East moving up the ladder.

Carisbrook

The Redbacks come into the competition this year with a young side that is full of spirit.

Last week saw captain and young gun Olivia Butler play her 100^th game of footy with a majority of these as a homegrown Carisbrook Redback.

What a wonderful achievement for someone at the age of only 20!

Whilst Carisbrook is yet to record a win, you would think this weekends game against Darley will be a tough assignment.

The Redbacks will be looking for strong team effort after Easter Break when they take on East Point.

With ten home and away rounds down and all teams now having faced one another twice, we take a look at the BFLW Women's competition so far and what the final third of the season might hold.

Darley

The reigning premiers look well-placed in their pursuit of a three-peat of flags, having gone unbeaten through the first eight rounds of the season.

Their only slip came in Round 9 – a 49-point loss to a young but polished Bacchus Marsh outfit.

It’s a result coach Brett Faulkhead will no doubt dissect closely, using the loss as fuel to tighten structures and adapt moving forward.

Darley’s depth remains one of their key strengths.

Charli Parsons-Jones has continued to turn heads in just her second senior season.

With Coates Talent League exposure and listed with the Western Jets, she’s brought a level of polish and maturity that’s seen her named among the best five times already this year.

Meanwhile, there’s been no slowing down for Lilli Condon.

The reigning League Best and Fairest has picked up right where she left off, consistently driving the Devils forward with clean ball use and inside 50 delivery.

She’s featured in the best in all nine of her appearances so far – a testament to her consistency.

Up forward, Kim Bessell remains as potent as ever with 39 goals to her name – the go-to target for the Devils' attacking entries.

However, Faulkhead will be well aware of the looming challenge Redan presents.

In two recent meetings, the Lions have restricted Bessell to just one goal combined – a feat few other sides have managed.

Expect emerging options like Lusiya Azina to become even more critical in the weeks ahead.

With two games still to come against Redan, the path to a top of the ladder finish is anything but straightforward.

The Devils will likely need to claim at least one of those clashes to lock in the all-important first-week bye – a valuable advantage in what’s shaping as a tight run into finals.

The run home: Redan, Lake Wendouree, Carisbrook, East Point, Lake Wendouree, Redan

Redan

Redan have cemented themselves as one of the most consistent outfits in recent BFLW memory – and 2025 has been no different.

But if there’s one obstacle they’ve yet to clear, it’s finding a way past Darley.

Both of the Lions' losses this season have come at the hands of the reigning premiers.

In Round 1, they trailed by just two points at the final change; in Round 6, it was five.

Close contests, but Redan couldn’t land the knockout blow.

That’ll be front of mind for coach Tim Meaney as the Lions gear up for two more critical clashes against the Devils before finals.

As has become a hallmark of Redan, it’s their depth that continues to impress.

Freya Palmer – the 2024 Under 19 League Best and Fairest – has taken the step up to senior level with composure and confidence.

Splitting her time across age groups, Palmer’s athleticism and pace have added an extra layer to Redan’s rotations.

At the pointy end, Jess Bokma is putting together a season to remember.

Leading the league goal kicking, Bokma has hit the scoreboard in every round – including a standout 10-goal haul against Lake Wendouree in Round 9.

Her consistency and accuracy make her one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition.

Adding further firepower has been the return of VFLW-listed Lori Stepnell.

With strong stints at Williamstown under her belt, Stepnell has made four appearances at club level this year, and each time has lifted the Lions with her presence, leadership, and class.

A top of the ladder finish – and a first-week finals bye – remains firmly on the table.

But for that to become reality, Redan will need to rewrite the script against Darley and hold off a surging Bacchus Marsh outfit.

The run home: Darley, East Point, Bacchus Marsh, Lake Wendouree, Carisbrook, Darley

Bacchus Marsh

If you were calling it after five rounds, the competition looked like a two-horse race. Darley and Redan were setting the pace and seemingly untouchable.

But fast-forward just a few weeks, and Bacchus Marsh have completely changed the narrative.

In Round 8, they took it right up to Redan, holding a narrow lead into the final quarter before falling by just 13 points.

A week later, they sent a statement to the rest of the competition – dismantling the previously undefeated Darley by 49 points in a four-quarter display of pressure, possession, and polish.

Coach Alan Johnson, working closely with Under 19s coach Leigh Bradbury, has managed the Cobras’ transition from young promise to genuine contender with precision.

The balance between youth and experience is striking – and shaping up nicely ahead of finals.

The Under 19 crop has been particularly influential.

Summer Marchewka, Charli O’Connor and Oliver Dilges have seamlessly stepped into senior roles, showing maturity beyond their years.

And with Coates Talent League players like Ruby Thomas and Jazmine Dalli also in the mix, Bacchus Marsh are blessed with depth and versatility.

Arguably the biggest impact has come from recruit Mel Freeman.

Fresh from Spotswood and bringing VFLW experience with both Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, Freeman has brought structure, leadership, and composure – all while mentoring the next generation of Cobras.

With one win over the top two already in the bank, Bacchus Marsh are now the wildcard that could reshape the top of the table.

One more big scalp could be the key to a top-two finish.

The run home: East Point, Carisbrook, Redan, Lake Wendouree, Darley, East Point

East Point

In just their third season back in the BFLW competition, East Point have continued their upward trajectory — showing maturity on-field and a strong club culture off it.

The Dragons have fielded a balanced list of youth and experience, delivering big wins and keeping games competitive even against top-tier opposition.

The off-season posed challenges, with the departures of several key players.

Rebecca Fisher, runner-up Shania Oliver, and full back Simone McNeight were notable omissions from the 2025 squad.

But rather than rebuild, East Point reloaded.

Club mainstays like Cass Nolan and Kirsten Roth have anchored the side again this year, while fresh faces like Jaslyn Skilbeck have provided a new element.

In her first season of football, Skilbeck has taken to the game with confidence and consistency.

Megan O’Beirne has arguably had a career-best year, while Katie McAloon’s experience — including her stint in the VFLW system — has brought poise to the stocks.

Between them, they’ve featured in the side’s best across nearly every round, setting the bar for the red, white and blue.

With six rounds remaining, coach Jezza Jones will be zeroing in on a potential first-week finals clash against Lake Wendouree.

Their performances in second meetings against higher-ranked sides have shown clear improvement — a sign that East Point aren’t just aiming to make finals but are driven to shake them up.

The run home: Bacchus Marsh, Redan, Lake Wendouree, Darley, Carisbrook, Bacchus Marsh

Lake Wendouree

Lake Wendouree enter the final third of the season with a clear focus: securing fifth spot on the ladder and continuing to chip away at scoreboard margins in their third meetings with opposition sides — just as they’ve done from their first to second encounters.

The Lakers have shown steady improvement, managing to reduce margins and limit opposition scoring in their return fixtures.

Now, as they gear up to face each side for a third time, coach Mark Kinnane will be urging his side to turn those reduced margins into competitive contests – and, ideally, wins.

With an average age of just 23, the Lakers are among the youngest teams in the competition – a fact that bodes well for the club’s long-term trajectory.

Keeley Abbott is a shining example of this youth movement. Having stepped into the senior side early last year, her game has continued to develop with added experience and confidence.

Captains Demi Thompson and Shellby Lonie have been standouts all season.

Thompson’s ability to read the play and apply her netball smarts has made a noticeable impact, while Lonie’s strength and leadership continue to guide the group through key moments.

The Lakers will also be hoping for more game time from Faith McKenzie.

With her athleticism, ability to run out full games, and commanding vertical leap in the ruck, her presence has made a significant difference in her four appearances to date.

With a likely elimination final against East Point on the horizon, these final rounds will serve as crucial.

And with some ladder movement still possible, the Lakers will be quietly eyeing off a potential grab for fourth spot – making their run to finals one to watch.

The run home: Carisbrook, Darley, East Point, Bacchus Marsh, Redan, Carisbrook

Carisbrook

Whilst they remain winless, the scoreboard margins paint a different picture of the measurable wins Carisbrook are achieving.

 While the four points haven’t come yet, the experience being gained by the playing group – particularly the young stock – is vital in the long run.

The Redbacks have shown pockets of competitiveness – strings of play where possession is won, clearances are made and inside 50s are recorded.

Across the backline, turnovers are becoming less frequent, and the side is making better use of their rebound 50s.

The challenge now is converting those passages into full-quarter performances – and eventually, four consistent quarters.

There’s plenty to be excited about when you look at the list.

Olivia Rogers, fresh out of the Under 16 competition, has stepped up and held her own at Senior level.

Emme Johnson and Maddi Smith, both still eligible for the Under 19s, have embraced the challenge of Senior footy, featuring amongst the best on multiple occasions.

Captain Liv Butler is having another consistent season in the red and black – leading from the front and slotting three goals so far.

Coach Simon Booker will no doubt be using the second half of the season to instil belief and reward effort.

Internal wins – like reduced margins, increased pressure acts, and dominating key stat areas – will be crucial measures of progress from here.

The run home: Lake Wendouree, Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Redan, East Point, Lake Wendouree

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is excited to kick off the 2021 McDelivery BFLW season this Sunday the 2nd of May.

A new era of female football returns to the Ballarat FNL with matches across 4 grades of competition.

2021 will stage a 12-round season, with the grand final for all female football to be played at Ballarat’s premier venue, Mars Stadium, on Saturday the 4th of September.

In partnership with the City of Ballarat and their Active Women & Girls Strategy, the Ballarat FNL will look to build the brand of the BFLW and the opportunities for female participation within the league and across the region.

The League is also pleased to announce that McDelivery has come on as naming rights partner of the BFLW competition, strengthening the support from McDonald’s Ballarat across the Ballarat FNL.

Where possible, fixtures have been scheduled to allow the participation of players in both BFLW games and across the BFNL netball competitions. The league will also be looking to maximise the number of games across Ballarat’s premier grounds.

Further features of the 2021 BFLW season include:

• Under 16 & Under 18 interleague against Bendigo as part of the Goldfields Trophy in June.
• Competition breaks will take place for Queens Birthday, middle week of school holidays and a league-wide bye in July to assist in evening up games for clubs.

The Ballarat Football Netball League is excited to open self-nominations for the 2026 Female Interleague Program for all three grades - Under 15 Girls, Under 18 Girls and Senior Women.

This is a fantastic opportunity for players to represent the league, develop their skills, and compete against strong regional opposition.

2026 Match Schedule

2026 Interleague Coaches

Program Costs

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the final squads for our BFLW Interleague sides.

Under 16 & Under 18 Youth Girls teams will compete against Bendigo on Saturday 26^th June in Strathfieldsaye as part of the Goldfields Trophy.

The Ballarat FNL would like to thank the coaches, parents, clubs and other volunteers who have committed their time to the 2021 interleague program and wish all players the best representing the league.

Games will be played at the following times:

Selected squads including emergencies are:

Jumper Presentations for the below selected squads will be held at Saxon House at the following times:

• Under 16 Youth Girls at 6:20pm
• Under 18 Youth Girls at 6:40pm

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the fixture for the first week of the 2022 McDelivery BFL Women’s finals series.

The league is excited to have many of our BFLW clubs represented across the finals series, providing a wonderful experience for our clubs and players after missing out on finals over the last two seasons.

Admission prices will come into effect as of this weekend and are as follows:

Admission Prices

BFLW Finals 2022

Adults - $10

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25

Age Pensioner - $5

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Grounds Open

Note:Gates will open at 7.30am for all venues during Week One to Week Three.

Scheduled matches across all grades of football for Week One of the finals can be found below.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the fixture for the second week of the 2022 Federation BFLWomen’s Finals Series.

It was great to see the finals kick off over the weekend with some fantastic games played across all four grades.

Admission prices will continue this weekend and are as follows:

Admission Prices:

BFLW Finals 2022

Adults - $10

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25

Age Pensioner - $5

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Grounds Open:

Note:Gates will open at 7.30 am for all venues during weeks one to three.

Scheduled matches across all grades of football for week two of the finals can be found below.

With planning underway for the 2023 season, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL would like to provide details of the structure of all competitions next year.

The creation of the fixtures for all competitions will be dependant on many outside influences such as the AFL fixture and other competitions such as NAB league and VFL, the dates for each competition can now be announced.

SENIORS

• Start Date (round 1) Saturday 15th April 2023
• Grand Final Saturday 23rd September 2023
• 18 round season

Includes allowance for full competition bye on King's Birthday weekend as in recent years and weekend bye for the potential return of senior interleague.

JUNIORS

• Start Date (round 1) Saturday 15th April 2023
• Grand Final Sunday 17th September 2023
• 16 round season

Includes allowance for full competition bye on King's Birthday weekend and middle weekend of school holidays (1st July) as in recent years.

BFLWomens

• Start Date (round 1) Sunday 16th April 2023
• Grand Final Saturday 9th September 2023
• 15 round season*

* (TBC)

Includes allowance for full competition bye on King's Birthday weekend and middle weekend of school holidays (2nd July) as in recent years.

Following a successful return to community football and netball in 2022, the 2023 season promises to be highly anticipated following recent signings at clubs.

The home and away season will lead into the finals series and grand finals that will be held once again at Mars Stadium and with over 40,000 people attending BFNL finals in 2022, it is sure to be another exciting year of competition.

The Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the appointed coaches for the 2026 Interleague representative program.

Under 15 Girls – Cam Bennett & Alex Oldaker

Cam Bennett has coached the East Point Dragons U14 program across 2024–2025 and led the 2025 U14 Girls Interleague side. He also served as an assistant with the GWV Rebels U15 V/Line Cup program and in 2026 will step into the East Point U16 Girls head coach role while continuing to assist the GWV Rebels. Cam brings strong pathway and talent development experience.

Alex Oldaker was assistant coach of the 2025 U16 Girls Interleague team and previously coached the Ballarat Swans U12 Girls in 2024. She has also coached school football at Ballarat High and is building further pathway experience through involvement with the GWV Rebels U16 program.

Under 18 Girls – Tim Meaney

Tim Meaney is the Senior Women’s Coach and Female Football Director of Coaching at the Redan Football Club. He has extensive experience across junior and senior programs over two decades, including interleague support roles and a strong history in player development, mentoring and female football pathways.

Women – Danyel Waters

Danyel Waters is the newly appointed Senior Women’s Coach at the Darley FNC in 2026 and an assistant coach with the Calder Cannons U16 Girls. She previously coached in the Coates Talent League U18 Girls program, led the Essendon Pathways Academy, and coached multiple EDFL interleague teams. Danyel brings elite pathway experience and a proven record in developing talented female footballers.

Under 13 Boys – Adam Ridley

Adam Ridley has coached junior football in Ballarat for six years, leading premiership teams in 2024 and 2025 (U13 and U14). He also has three years’ experience as a senior assistant coach and will continue in that role in 2026. Adam is known for building strong team environments and consistent on-field success.

Under 14 Boys – Justin Watkins

Justin Watkins has coached with the Darley Junior Football Club since 2016, working across all age groups from U10 to U16. In 2025 he was head coach of the BFL U13 Boys Interleague team. Justin offers broad junior development experience and a strong understanding of the local talent pool.

Under 15 Boys – Aaron Harnden

Aaron Harnden is the 2026 Bacchus Marsh U14 Senior Coach after leading the U14 Reserves in 2025, and served as assistant coach of the 2025 BFNL U15 Interleague team. He is a player-centred coach focused on adaptability, role education and high-performance standards, with strong experience in both development and representative football environments.

Under 17 Boys – Scott Petrie

Scott Petrie returns as Under 17 Interleague Coach for 2026, continuing his strong involvement in the BFNL representative pathway. He previously served as an Assistant Coach with the AFL Goldfields Academy from 2019–2021 and has coached progressively through the BFNL interleague age groups since starting at Under 13 level in 2021. Scott has led the Under 17 program for the past two seasons and is recognised for his focus on player development, game education and building a strong team-first culture.

The BFNL is excited to deliver the 2026 Interleague program as a key performance pathway for local footballers, providing selected players with the opportunity to represent the league and showcase their talent in a high-performance environment.

Player nominations via their home clubs will open shortly, with invited athletes to attend squad training.

Training is scheduled to commence across March and April for those selected in initial squads.

Successful players will represent the BFNL on the following dates.

Saturday 23 May

Under 17 Boys & Under 18 Girls

Saturday 4 July

Under 13, Under 14 & Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls, Under 18 Girls & Women

Please note a change to the date of the 2021 Henderson & McLean Medals night, now to be held on Monday the 20th of September at 7pm.

With the current restrictions in place and the lack of clarity in the near future, all awards nights will be online and streamed through social media and the league website. 

This is a first for the league and will allow proper and due recognition to the best players across all competitions in 2021. 

With a deep and rich history, the senior competition Henderson & McLean Medals, along with the Robert Allan Medal for juniors will be joined by the awards presented for the best female footballers in the BFLW. 

Through the services of media partner Red Onion, the live-streamed awards will be presented through BFNL social media and website (www.bfnl.com.au) as follows: 

• McDelivery BFLWomen's Awards Night

oWednesday 8thSeptember 2021 from 7pm* 

• McDonald's Ballarat BFNL Robert Allan Medal

oMonday 13thSeptember 2021 from 7pm* 

• McDonald's Ballarat BFNL Henderson & McLean Medals

o Monday 20thSeptember 2021 from 7pm* 

* Start time TBC 

END RELEASE 

The board of the Ballarat FNL have today confirmed a pathway to the conclusion of the 2021 senior football and netball season.

This plan moving forward is designed to provided certainty for all stakeholders (clubs, players, and the league) in the best interests of the senior competitions.

With many variables as we move through this current period, the league has tried to create a compromise at all points that takes in to account the varying needs and wants of all clubs across the league.

The announcement yesterday from government that lockdown and further restriction will continue for another two weeks, means the earliest date for competition would be Saturday 4th September.

There is a requirement to provide a minimum 7-day period for a return to training before competition can commence, in effect means the earliest date for competition will be Saturday 11th September 2021.

In summary:

As each week progresses from the 11th of September that finals are delayed, the bottom two clubs based on ladder position will be removed from finals.

This is a last resort and a tough decision that was made by the board to move through to a finalisation of the season. The final date the grand final can be held is the 2nd of October 2021, which is designed to give as much time as possible to have a premiership decided via a game.

League chair Adrian Bettio added:

“The aim of the BFNL board is to provide fairness and equality to all clubs and maintain the integrity of our competition.

It is a delicate and complex balancing act, and we accept that we are not going to please everyone. As with all leagues, we have had little choice but to evolve with the conditions.

“We face a unique situation in the Ballarat FNL with clubs that cross regional and metro areas which has created many challenges."

The league respects the right of all clubs who have qualified for finals to have the ability to compete in a final’s series with all other clubs” In other competitions, the McDonalds BFNL Junior finals series will kick off this weekend, along with Youth / Junior BFLW games.

BFLW open age competition will be paused along the same lines as the senior competition to allow the opportunity for Melton Centrals to compete in that final’s series

It's back - but no crowds, please!

In line with the easing of restrictions, the McDelivery BFLW and McDonald's Ballarat FNL junior competitions return to play this weekend. We appreciate all of our clubs, players, volunteers and families helping us keep the competition safe as we return to play.

Following the announcement of the return of senior competitions, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL is also pleased to announce a return to play for the Junior & BFLW competitions. 

Both competitions will recommence from this Sunday 1stAugust 2021 under strict COVID protocols. 

A revised fixture has been completed for both competitions that will ensure a more equitable fixture and a maximisation of games. 

Changes made to fixtures include: 

BFNL Juniors 

• Round 7 replacing Round 14 this weekend. 
• Rounds 12 & 13 will be abandoned 
• Rounds 15 (8th August) & 16 (15thAugust) will remain as originally scheduled for the junior competition. 
• Ballarat Toyota Junior Finals Series to begin on 21stAugust. 

BFLW 

• Matches this weekend will begin from Round 12 as originally scheduled for 1st August. 
• Rounds 10 & 11 will be abandoned. 
• Round 13 will remain as scheduled for 8th August 
• An extra round of home & away matches to be added for 15th August – Fixture to be advised. 
• McDelivery BFLW Finals Series to begin on Sunday 22nd August. 

Western Bulldogs Under 9’s 

The Under 9 competition will not return with current restrictions, however, the remaining rounds will look to be rescheduled when restrictions allow a return to play for this competition. 

With crowds restricted at venues under the current stage of restrictions, entry will be strictly limited to players and officials from each competing club only. Further advice will be provided from both AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria soon. 

The BFNL is excited to have competition football and netball back in the premier competition across the region. 

END RELEASE 

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the final squads for our 2022 Junior and BFLW Interleague sides.

Congratulations to all the players selected for our Junior and BFLW Interleague sides.

Teams will compete against Bendigo this Saturday 4^th June at Wendouree Reserve and Northern Oval as part of the longstanding Goldfields Trophy.

The Ballarat FNL would like to thank the coaches, parents, clubs and other volunteers who have committed their time to the 2022 interleague program and wish all players the best in representing the league.

Games will be played at the following times:

Due to Senior Football & Netball at Mars Stadium this Saturday, strictly no entry will be available to Northern Oval through the North Ballarat Sports Club.

All players, families, spectators and volunteers are to enter this weekend’s venues via the following entry points:

• All matches at Wendouree Reserve as per the above match schedule, must be accessed through the entry off Dowling Street, Wendouree.
• All matches at Northern Oval 2 (Frank Bourke Oval) as per the above match schedule, must be accessed through the entry off Beech Avenue, Wendouree.

Selected squads for all junior and girl’s sides can be found below.

Following the release of Victoria's 'roadmap' out of lockdown, the board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL has, with deep regret, cancelled junior finals.

It is with deep regret that the board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL have made the decision to cancel the finals for BFNL Junior and BFLW Youth / Junior competitions. 

This decision, therefore, ends the 2021 seasons for all grades in these competitions. Teams that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home & away season will be recognised as the minor premiers. 

With the announcement today of the roadmap for a return to activities, it is clear that community sport will not be able to commence until a fully vaccinated rate of 80% has been achieved, expected to be around the 5th of November 2021. 

Whilst the board have allowed as much time as possible to play finals, it is now evident this is not possible under the current plan. 

This decision will at least provide certainty to all the junior players, volunteers, and families that the season has concluded. 

League chair, Adrian Bettio:

“This decision is one that we knew was coming but we all wanted to hold out some hope that it would not eventuate. I feel for the kids who just want to get and play with their mates and finish the year with finals.

“We will do everything over the offseason to make sure the 2022 season gives everyone the opportunity to play and to catch up on two lost years through COVID. 

“I want to thank the many club volunteers and parents for their patience, understanding and support of the league and each other through challenging times." 

END RELEASE 

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL today announces the return to play and training for competitions across the BFNL after confirmation of the easing of restrictions.

Following yesterday's announcement that regional Victoria will move to different settings than metro Melbourne, the league has worked to put in place plans that will enable the return of junior football and netball from this weekend, while keeping a watching brief on senior competitions. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS UNDER 9’s 

With the ongoing popularity of the Western Bulldogs Under 9’s, it is determined to place this competition on hold until further clarity is provided around density limits and the ability of crowds to attend these games on Friday evenings. 

Games schedule from this Friday will be paused, with the opportunity available for the fixture to be extended into term three of the school year to maximise participation for the youngest age group in the league. 

JUNIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL 

• Round seven of junior football and netball (30thMay 2021) will be abandoned and not replayed or replaced. 
• Round eight of junior football and netball (6thJune 2021) will proceed as scheduled this weekend. 
• Junior competitions will then continue to follow the existing fixture. 

BFLW YOUTH COMPETITIONS (Under 14 - Under 18) 

• Round five of BFLW Youth (30thMay 2021) will be rescheduled for the 25thof July 2021 where the full bye was due to be held. 
• Round six of BFLW Youth will proceed as scheduled this weekend. 
• BFLW competitions will then follow the existing fixture. 

COVID PROTOCOLS

Several protocols will be introduced for clubs and members to abide by from this weekend in line with health advice to allow competition to recommence. 

Some of these include: 

• Due to limited density allowances, only one parentis permitted per child playing football / netball. 
• Players will be advised to “arrive / play / leave” meaning they should arrive at the venue ready to play and leave at the completion of their game. 
• Masks are not required outside unless 1.5m spacing cannot be maintained. Coaches, trainers, officials need to be aware that they should be wearing masks as they will not be deemed to be exercising and will end up inside the 1.5m spacing, based upon what has been seen last year and this. 

SENIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL / BFLWomens OPEN 

With the current setting that senior competitions can return to limited training, the league will take a “wait and watch” approach to how the football and netball competitions will return to play. 

The Ballarat FNL is in a unique position where there are three clubs within the metro boundaries and therefore have different settings to regional clubs. 

Considering the current advice, the following impacts will apply to the senior competition fixtures: 

• Round seven and eight of senior football and netball will be abandoned at this stage and reconsidered as part of the fixture review to ensure equality and integrity of the competition for the balance of the season. 
• Round five of BFLW Open (30thMay 2021) will be rescheduled for the 25th ofJuly 2021 where the full bye was due to be held. 
• Round six of BFLW Open (6thJune 2021) competition will be abandoned and not replayed/replaced. 

Given the short timeframe for further advice, NOgames in any competition will be scheduled for the Queen’s Birthday weekend. 

The priority of the BFNL is to ensure that competition can take place in a safe environment that is supportive of members, players, and supporters. 

END RELEASE

The initial Victorian Country boys and girls U18 representative squads have been announced and five young guns from across the McDonald's Ballarat FNL and McDelivery BFL Women's have found themselves under the AFL microscope.

In another show of the strength of the BFNL competitions, the initial squads have been released for the Vic U/18 Country and Metro representative sides for 2022.

The Vic Country squads - selected in partnership with AFL recruiters - converged on Essendon's The Hangar last weekend to undergo medical screenings and fitness tests, and set up individual development plans and training programs in preparation for the 2022 season. 

Congratulations to Aaron Cadman (Darley), Felix Fogarty (East Point) and James Van Es (North Ballarat) on their selection to the boy's squad, along with Kalani Scoullar (Ballarat) and Paige Scott (Carisbrook) for their selection in the girl's squad.

The squads will return for a second three-day camp in January to learn about preparation and recovery, GPS and training loads and football/life balance, and will take part in two full training sessions, another craft-based training program and first official interviews with AFL club recruiters.

Read the full story on AFL.com.au and see the full squads: https://bit.ly/2ZTiPhg

Love footy and think umpiring could be for you? Now is a great time to have a chat. The BFUA is now seeking applications for all Coaching and Leadership Team positions next season.

No experience in umpiring is necessary. Full training and support will be provided to the successful applicant as they learn the umpiring craft.

The Ballarat Football Umpires Association are seeking both males and females with good communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse team. 

All roles are paid and this a great opportunity to utilise people skills and build your resume in a new football environment.

Attached to this email are the Position Descriptions for our four head coach roles:

• Senior Field Umpire Coach
• Boundary Umpire Coach
• Goal Umpire Coach
• Development Field Umpire Coach

We are also seeking applications for the following supporting roles:

• Fitness Coach
• Boundary Umpire Assistant Coach
• Boundary Umpire Observer
• Goal Umpire Assistant Coach
• Goal Umpire Observer
• Development Field Umpire Mentor
• Sports Trainer - Ballarat
• Castlemaine/Bacchus Marsh Hub Coaches

Even if you've never considered coaching before, we encourage you to throw your hat in the ring and try your hand at one of these leadership positions. The BFUA Board is keen to hear from anyone internally or externally, including all levels of experience in umpiring or indeed other sporting environments. 

For a discussion about the roles and responsibilities of any given position, feel free to contact Billy Mitchell on 0400 477 251 or Deb Sleep on 0438 688 959.

With the recent launch of the BFLW, we thought it would be a great idea to go back and visit one of the more exciting finishes to a Grand FInal in recent memory, with Redan taking on the East Point Dragons in the 2018 AFL Goldfields Women's decider.

We hope you enjoy the extended highlights, followed by the tense final quarter, which saw the game decided by less than a kick!

Sit back, relax and enjoy this Flashback all thanks to Buxton Ballarat

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL has called time on the senior competition for 2021.

It is with regret the board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL have made the tough decision to cancel the 2021 senior competition finals series. This outcome will also apply to BFLW Women’s competition. 

The announcement today by the government that metro restrictions will next be considered for easing on September 23rdgives a clear timeframe of how the balance of the season could progress. 

With the unlikely ability of community sport to return to competition from this date, the earliest a game of football and netball could be conducted would be October 9th, given the need to provide a minimum 14-day period for training. 

This period would take the date of return beyond the leagues previous latest date of October 2nd. 

It is the belief of the board, given the above, certainty should be provided to our many players, volunteers and supporters who have been in a holding pattern as we live through the current COVID-affected period. 

As a result of the cancellation of senior finals for 2021, the highest-ranked clubs will be recognised as “2021 Minor Premiers” in each grade. 

The Henderson Medal for the best and fairest senior footballer and Sally McLean Medal for the best and fairest A Grade netballer will be held as an online event on Wednesday 15thSeptember. 

The junior competition will be assessed during the week of Monday 6thSeptember when the government is expected to make an announcement on regional restrictions. 

It is at this point that further advice will be provided to clubs on the junior football and netball and BFLW Youth/Girls competitions. 

On behalf of the league board, thank you to every player, official and volunteer for their patience and resilience as we tried to get the best possible outcome for the Ballarat FNL and member clubs. 

END RELEASE

The Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) is pleased to announce that City Oval will host all 2026 Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) and Ballarat Football League Women's (BFLW) Grand Finals, providing a fitting stage to celebrate the region's premier football and netball competitions.

Across seven exciting weeks, the BFNL and BFLW finals series will showcase the very best football and netball talent from across the region.

• The finals action begins with the Barry Plant BFLW Finals Series on Sunday, 9 August, culminating in the Grand Final on Sunday, 30 August.

• The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL 2026 Inland Motor Body Works Junior Football and Netball Finals Series commence on Saturday, 22 August, with Junior Grand Finals to be played on Sunday, 13 September.

• The McDonalds Ballarat FNL 2026 Senior Football and Netball Finals Series will begin on Saturday, 29 August, before reaching its climax with the Senior Grand Final on Saturday, 19 September.

The League is excited to once again deliver a finals series that celebrates the outstanding achievements of clubs, players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and supporters.

"Finals are the pinnacle of our season and provide an opportunity to showcase the exceptional standard of football and netball across our region. We are delighted that City Oval will host our Grand Finals and provide a fantastic experience for our clubs and supporters."

"Our finals series is only possible through the dedication of our clubs, volunteers, officials and league partners, and we look forward to another exciting seven weeks of competition."

The League extends its sincere thanks to the City of Ballarat for its ongoing support and collaborative approach in working with the BFNL to deliver the 2026 Finals Series.

The relationship between the League and the City continues to strengthen, and both organisations are committed to ensuring football and netball continue to thrive across the municipality.

The BFNL looks forward to continuing this partnership in the years ahead.

As part of that commitment, the City of Ballarat will work alongside BFNL clubs, the BFNL Board and League staff through a series of consultation and engagement sessions to help shape the future direction of BFNL finals.

The League and City of Ballarat believe that this collaborative approach will maximise the opportunities to ensure that the BFNL continues to showcase its finals series and grow the game of Australian football.

These discussions will explore the long-term vision for finals venues, facilities and the overall spectator experience.

As part of this collaborative planning, the League acknowledges that redeveloped Mars Stadium may again be used for BFNL Grand Finals in future years, following the completion of the City's engagement with the BFNL community.

The League welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the City of Ballarat to determine the best outcomes for clubs and the wider football and netball community.

Given that the current redevelopment at Mars Stadium will not conclude until after the BFNL finals series, it has been agreed that consultation and discussions regarding future finals venues should commence later this year.

The BFNL also acknowledges the valued support of McDonald's Ballarat, together with finals naming partners Carlton Draught, Inland Motor Body Works, and Barry Plant.

Their continued investment enables the League to present regional football and netball at the highest standard while delivering an outstanding finals experience for players, officials, volunteers and supporters.

To assist clubs with finals planning, finals venues for each week of competition will be confirmed on the Monday prior to the scheduled matches.

Clubs will receive this information via the League's weekly Finals Memo, which will outline venues, match schedules and all relevant operational information for the upcoming weekend.

The 2026 finals will operate under the League's established finals systems, with a Top 6 Finals Format used for BFNL Senior and Junior Football and Netball competitions, and a Top 5 Finals Format used for the BFLW competition.

The Ballarat Football Netball League looks forward to welcoming thousands of supporters throughout the finals series as clubs compete for premiership glory in what promises to be another outstanding conclusion to the 2026 season.