The Ballarat FNL is saddened with the recent passing of a stalwart of the league, Wayne Hankin. Wayne was a former chair of the league and with his contributions to the league over many years, was awarded a life membership of the Ballarat FNL.

Wayne held many roles with the BFNL from the late 70's and had been instrumental in preserving some of the rich and proud history of the league, along with his beloved Golden Point FC.

On behalf of all member clubs of the league, we pass on our condolences to the family of Wayne.

To recognise his passing, The Courier have written a piece in todays paper and can be read here:  https://bit.ly/3cgKhG7

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

The League in conjunction with the City of Ballarat has made a venue change for this Saturday’s Junior Football & Netball Qualifying Finals.

As a result of the current condition of Wendouree Reserve, the decision has been made to move Saturday’s games to Northern Oval 2, ensuring the ground does not deteriorate further ahead of Sunday’s Elimination Finals. The venue change includes all netball matches which will now be played on the North Ballarat netball courts.

The schedule for matches on Sunday will remain as originally fixtured. Please see below this weekend’s match schedules.

Entry Details

Saturday 20^th August

• North Ballarat Sports Club Gate
• Note: STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB CAR PARKS
• Wendouree Reserve / Northern Oval 2 Gate
• The double gate between the Wendouree Reserve and Northern Oval 2 will be open to allow attendees the ability to utilise parking around Wendouree Reserve and for those that may enter off Dowling Street.

Sunday 21^st August

• North Ballarat Sports Club Gate
• Note: STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB CAR PARKS
• Wendouree Reserve – Enter via Dowling Street.

Admission Fees

Admission fees now come into effect for all BFNL Junior Finals matches. Fees are as follows:

BFNL Junior Finals 2022

• Adults - $10
• Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25
• Age Pensioner - $5
• 8 - 16yo - $5
• U/8 – Free

Admission fees provide entry to ALL BFLW and JUNIOR games on the same day. Please ensure you obtain a passout when leaving to obtain entry at another venue.

Following a successful return to senior finals after a three-year wait, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce details of Week Two of the Carlton Draught Senior Finals series. 

In football, Semi Final Two, and the chance to progress directly to the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final will be held at Macpherson Park, Melton on Saturday 3rdSeptember 2022 following the success of the debut at this venue. Semi Final One will be held at City Oval, Ballarat on Sunday 4thSeptember 2022. 

Netball will see a slight variation with Semi Final One to be held at Macpherson Park, Melton Saturday 3rdSeptember and Semi Final Two, and the chance for Grand Final progression to be held Sunday 4thSeptember. 

Melton will have the chance to grab a Grand Final berth should they win Saturday; however, Sebastopol will be a formidable opponent standing in their way. In the other semi-final, Darley will travel to Ballarat and take on the Swans at City Oval, the scene of their nail-biting one-point win over the reigning premiers last week. 

With a full card of netball across both days and record crowds in Week One, the excitement continues to build as we head towards the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final on Saturday 17thSeptember. 

You can see the path to the Grand Final below and find the full schedule for Week Two of the 2022 Carlton Draught Finals Series below. Want to download the schedule? Hit the button at the end of the article or do what we do and make an easy link on our phone by selecting Add to Home Screen under the web address.

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.