BFLW

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL, in partnership with Ballarat Toyota is proud to promote the Toyota Good for Footy program to support community clubs in our league.

Toyota Good for Footy is Toyota's grassroots footy program. Toyota has helped clubs raise over $7 million since 2008 through the program and helped over 500 local clubs from every state and territory.

To buy tickets and support your local community club, follow this link here.

The BFLW are excited to announce the launch of an Under 12 Girls Development Program for 2024.

• A Football
• A Development Program training top
• A Drink Bottle

Final training for the 2022 McDonald’s Ballarat FNL Under 18 Youth Girls Interleague Training Squad will be held on Monday. 

Updates have been made to the 2022 McDonald’s Ballarat FNL Under 18 Youth Girls Interleague Training Squad following last night’s training session.

• Required players to attend Monday night's final training session can be found on the attachment below.
• IMPORTANT: If you are feeling unwell, please DO NOT attend training. Players/Parents are asked to contact your head coach to advise.

Training details for Monday are:

Monday 30^th May         

• Under 18 Girls   6:30pm - 8:00pm Marty Busch Recreation Reserve

Required Equipment

• All players must bring their own drink bottles to training.
• Mouthguards are requested for all players and age groups.
• Players to wear club jumpers with playing numbers to training.

For those that have unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to continue with the interleague program, we thank you for your involvement and wish you all the best for the remainder of the season.

Should you wish to follow up for any feedback from your coach, please submit any queries through your club's Junior or BFLW Coordinator

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL looks to welcome a safe return to junior competition this weekend for regional-based clubs under eased restrictions.

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL welcomes today’s announcement of eased restrictions for regional Victoria and community sport. 

Given today’s announcement, the board of the Ballarat FNL is working through the various protocols and guidelines, as provided, to ensure junior competition can be undertaken this weekend. 

These competitions include the Western Bulldogs Under 9’s, BFNL junior football and netball and BFLW Youth grades (Under 14 to Under 18’s). 

It is the league's intention that junior football and netball take place in an environment that is safe and has regard for the health and wellbeing of all participants and their families. 

The further restrictions and requirements to allow competition are being clarified and will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. 

As announced, senior competitions can return to training for regional-based clubs under a number of restrictions detailed to clubs. 

We hope players and clubs are preparing for the various competitions that will return this week and look forward to further details as soon as they are available. It is anticipated full details will be announced within the next 24 hours. 

END RELEASE

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL today announces several venue changes to Junior Competitions across football and netball this weekend.

In conjunction with the City of Ballarat and competing clubs, a decision has been made to move matches away from the Mars Stadium precinct this Sunday 11^th July.

Venue changes have been made to avoid a clash with the Greater Western Sydney vs Gold Coast Suns match, now scheduled to be played in Ballarat this Sunday following recent fixture confirmations from the AFL.

As a result, the following amendments have been made to this weekend’s junior fixtures:

• Lake Wendouree vs Ballarat Swans to now be played on Oval 2 at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.
• North Ballarat v Bacchus Marsh to now be played at Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol.

Both the Ballarat FNL and the City of Ballarat appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all clubs involved in the changes.

END RELEASE

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.