The Ballarat Football Netball League is proud to announce the BFNL Representative Netball Squads for the 2024 season.

Congratulations to all the athletes selected and good luck for the upcoming year.

Find the full squads below:

17 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Prue Douglass – North Ballarat 

Penny Follett – North Ballarat

Ebony Porter – North Ballarat

Eva Manserra – Redan

Maggie Harris – East Point

Addison Funke – Lake Wendouree

Ava Richardson – Ballarat Swans

Bridgette O’Brien – Redan

Arna Howard – Redan

Kate Aikman – North Ballarat

Audrey Domaille – Lake Wendouree

Ella Litras – Redan

17 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Courtney Mclean – Lake Wendouree

Alexandra Harris – Darley

Maia Murphy – Ballarat Swans

Milly Vallance – Mount Clear

Lily Geddes – North Ballarat

Grace Jackson – Ballarat Swans

Brooklyn Metcalfe – Storm

Georgia Hayne – Storm

Tess Geljon – East Point

Abby Kinnersly – East Point

Scarlett Clayton – Darley

15 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Katie Keighrey – Lake Wendouree

Assistant Coach: Lisa James – Ballarat Swans

Gabriella Stanley – Mount Clear

Tessa Wilson – Mount Clear

Keira McDonald – Ballarat Swans

Ashlee Beseler – North Ballarat

Nathalia Jenkins – Ballarat Swans

Maggie Smith – Lake Wendouree

Emme Moore – Lake Wendouree

Audrey Murnane – North Ballarat

Lucy Phyland-McClure – Bacchus Marsh

Milla Rundell – Lake Wendouree

15 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Dakoda Emery – Lake Wendouree

Lyla Sheehan – Lake Wendouree

Hayley Jackson – Ballarat Swans

Taylor Young – North Ballarat

Emmy Holloway – Lake Wendouree

Lily Constable – North Ballarat

Mackenzie McMahon – Ballarat Swans

Tiarnee Smith – Darley

Leni Svanosio – North Ballarat

Alice Glover – Mount Clear

Scarlett Jones – Mount Clear

13 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Leah Macdonald - Redan

Ella Manley – Storm

Embly Jenkins – Ballarat Swans

Eimear Toye – North Ballarat

Sadie Jones – North Ballarat

Olivia Macdonald – Redan

Freya Loong – Bacchus Marsh

Pippa Edwards – Redan

Evie Martin – East Point

Felicity McGrath – East Point

13 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Kirsty McLean – Ballarat Swans

Tayla Hiscock – East Point

Lola Roney – East Point

Olive Heagney – North Ballarat

Charlotte Box – Storm

Sienna Goonan – Mount Clear

Mila Kearney – North Ballarat

Julia Justin – East Point

Mia Barclay – Redan

Sabra Wilkie – Lake Wendouree

Marley Jose – Redan

Arli Ripper – North Ballarat

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is excited to release the 2024 fixture.

The league is excited to promote the road to Grand Final day for our 11 senior clubs will do battle over 18 regular season rounds for their chance at glory.

The Season will commence on Saturday 13th of April with no Good Friday games scheduled in 2024.

All eyes will be on the new look coaching structures and players entering the league, with seven new head coaches at the helm of their respective clubs.

All eyes in round one will be on 2023 winner Darley when they host Preliminary finalists East Point.

It won’t take too long for spectators to see the grand final rematch in both Football and Netball with North Ballarat set to host Darley in round two under lights.

This will offer the Netball prime time stand alone air to showcase our best two teams of 2023, with the senior football to follow under lights at Mars Stadium.

Looking forward to round three where Ballarat will host Lake Wendouree in an ANZAC Day matchup.

A stand alone game for the round on Thursday has been promoted by the two clubs and the league are excited to accommodate such an exciting matchup and concept by the two clubs.

During the early parts of the season there will be night games showcasing the talent the league has on offer, with four games being played under lights.

There will also be throughout the season BFLW games under lights on Saturdays highlighting the amazing talent our clubs have here in the BFNL.

Live streaming of every senior football game will return in 2024 with the addition of the A Grade netball match of the round, there has never been more access to community football and netball than before.

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is proud to be the leaders across country leagues in providing access to all supporters of football and netball.

Round One - Saturday 13th April 2024

Bacchus Marsh v Ballarat

Darley v East Point

Sebastopol v Lake Wendouree

Melton South v Melton

Redan v Sunbury

North Ballarat BYE

Find the full fixture below:

This week we saw the announcement from the elite game of its planned roadmap to Return to Play. We are now in a position to be able to share more definitive plans in terms of what this means for community football in Victoria.

Returning to play in a safe, hygienic and controlled manner is paramount to the AFL. The safety and wellbeing of our participants is our number one priority. As such, our return to play strategy has been focused on ensuring we have the clear endorsement of State Government and public health officials at every phase of return.

Each State Government is responsible for determining what level Australian football is in their State and approving when we can transition into the next stage.

Following Victorian Government advice around the return of community sport this week, AFL Victoria will release its return to train protocols early next week and is endorsing a return to club sanctioned training from Monday, May 25.

This timing will provide the opportunity to communicate our protocols with Leagues and allow volunteers and clubs time to digest the protocols, go through an education period and prepare themselves ahead of returning to club sanctioned training.

In summary, the return to train protocols for community football in Victoria will enable:

• Training to resume in groups of up to 10 people. The group of 10 does not include a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity.
• Two groups of 10 can utilise the same oval provided they do not operate closely together, and the oval is split into two zones.

We will continue to work with the State Government to ensure alignment with their advice, and in the event of further easing of restrictions, we hope to be able to return to full training and competition later in the year, with hygiene and safety protocols firmly in place.

Our primary focus is preparing to return to train in a safe environment in a well prepared and educated manner. In order for this return to play to be successful, and in line with Government advice, it is essential that clubs and individuals work within the timelines and protocols and do not move ahead of the level and restrictions in place.

On Friday, 15 May, the AFL re-opened transfers until 30 June. Further information about transfers will be provided via a comprehensive FAQ document.

In addition, an important part of this return to play process is the requirement of each Club to appoint a COVID Safety Officer that is responsible for ensuring these protocols are adhered to and participants can return to a prepared and safe environment.

We strongly recommend all participants immediately download the COVID-SAFE App, to ensure we can quickly trace and manage any outbreaks in the community. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that not only football returns, but that Australia returns safely towards a normal way of life.

We understand this announcement will raise many questions for Club officials, players, parents/guardians and volunteers. As such, the AFL has prepared a set of FAQs that hopefully address most of these questions. We will continue to update these as the situation progresses and our return to train protocols are released.

We will also be providing a suite of educational resources and COVID safety posters that can be downloaded from www.afl.com.au/clubhelp.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward with cautious optimism towards returning to training as a first step.

At The Bar

Read more

INSIDER: Your girls are flying undefeated at the moment, what do you attribute to the success of the North Ballarat netball program?

GEORGETTE PAATSCH:Hard working and committed. We really enjoy playing with and for one another and I think that translates to on court success.....oh and the fact that we all like each other is a bonus too!

INSIDER: You meet fellow undefeated team Darley in the Match of the Round this week, how are the confidence levels?

GP:We have an unchanged team from last year and we're quietly confident our connection will hold up. But, they will certainly give us a run that's for sure!

INSIDER: How much training goes on from week to week in preparation for games?

GP:90 mins on Thursday nights are compulsory. Extra training is expected in own time around individual work/life schedule.

INSIDER: Does the group engage in a pre-season regime similar to the football program?

GP:It's not as intense as the men (footy) but there are expectations on the group to maintain a level of fitness in the off season.

INSIDER: Considering all clubs are essentially netball and football clubs now, how do you rate - firstly the inclusiveness and secondly the importance of the Netball program to local clubs?  

GP:North are really good and I’m aware Sebastopol have a great culture / team environment as well. More and more footballers are catching some of the netball too which is a real positive.

INSIDER: How do you think the standard of the Ballarat (A Grade) competition stacks up against other regions across Victoria?

GP:Really strong. I played 10+ years in the Geelong FNL and I’m sure we could match it with the top sides over there.

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no netball?

GP:AFL - yeah, i'd give footy a go!

INSIDER: Who is the most underrated player at your club?

GP:Emma Church

INSIDER: In a freakish sense, which player at the club can do things on-court that others can't?

GP:Keely Smith

INSIDER: Who at the club has the most upside from a junior perspective?

GP:Georgia Bodey

INSIDER: Who at North Ballarat would you like shooting for goal to win you a game?

GP:Maddy Selmon

INSIDER: Who is the quickest in the team over 20m?

GP:Bridie Hutchison

INSIDER: What is your favorite court to play on away from MARS Stadium?

GP:Redan, City Oval

INSIDER: Who is your favorite person at NBFNC?

GP:Annie McCartin

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

GP:Spaghetti Bolognese

INSIDER: What TV series would you recommend for us this Winter?

GP:Bridgerton

INSIDER: Who from the playing group would most likely win a million dollars on a quiz show?

GP:Gina McCartin

INSIDER: Do any of the girls have annoying habits or superstitions they repeat before matches?

GP:Toilet break 3 minutes before every game - M.S, B.H, K.S (you know who you are!)

INSIDER: Who is your number one netball critic?

GP:My Dad

INSIDER: Favorite Netball player (any level)?

GP:Molly Jovic (Collingwood)

INSIDER: if you could add one player from another club to your side, who would it be?

GP:Tayla Honey (Sunbury)

INSIDER: Flag tip (outside of North Ballarat)?

GP:Sunbury or Darley

At The Bar

Read more

INSIDER: How do you think the standard of the Ballarat A Grade Netball competition would stack up against other regions across Victoria?

TAYLA HONEY: I can only speak for Geelong - similar. VNA players’ presence in Ballarat is certainly helping raise the standards.

INSIDER: In what areas on the court is the BFNL strongest?

TH:Ball handling skills, minimal turnovers, quality shooting stocks.

INSIDER: Would you support an Interleague initiative for netball? Is that something netball scouts would source as a potential recruiting tool?

TH:Yes I would, I think it would be a strong competition.

INSIDER: Would you encourage the Under 23 format similar to the men with footy or open age?

TH:Open age. There is still plenty of untapped talent above 25. On the netball front the strongest representation would be open age.

INSIDER: Tell us about your time at Sunbury and playing under Kim Bailey?

TH:I met Kim a while ago playing VNL. The girls at Sunbury have been welcoming and nice and we're starting to gel really well. Looking forward to the second half of the season.

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no netball?

TH:I've tried a lot of sports and wasn't much good at a lot of them! Perhaps athletics.

INSIDER: Who is the most under rated player at your club?

TH:Eliza Gollant

INSIDER: In a freakish sense, which player at the club can do things on-court that others can't?

TH:Lani (15yo goal shooter)

INSIDER: Who at the club has the most upside from a junior perspective?

TH:Lani again!

INSIDER: Who at Sunbury would you like shooting for goal to win you a game?

TH:Tara O'Grady

INSIDER: Who is the quickest on the court over 20m?

TH:Simona Di Filippo

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

TH:Chicken Schnitzel

INSIDER: What tv series would you recommend for us this Winter?

TH: Suits

INSIDER: Who from the playing group would most likely win a million dollars on a quiz show?

TH:Elly Randell or Ruth Smith

INSIDER: Do any of the girls have annoying habits or superstitions they repeat before matches?

TH:Simona, she's always late for warm-ups!

INSIDER: Who is your number one netball critic?

TH:Mum

INSIDER: Favorite netball player?

TH:Kim Borger (Vixens)

INSIDER: if you could add one player from another club to your side, who would it be?

TH:Georgette Paatsch or Poppy Douglas (both North Ballarat)

INSIDER: Flag tip (outside of Sunbury)?

TH:North Ballarat

Over the next two weeks, the BFNL Media's ‘Scoop’ will serve up an in-depth analysis on how your club has fared in the 2021 Season draw, starting today with Bacchus Marsh.

Bacchus Marsh

Draw rating points: 97
2021 draw ranking: #2

PROS:

• FOUR 'HOME' games in a row Rd11 - Rd14 up against Sebastopol, Redan, Melton South, North Ballarat
• Meet 2019 Grand Finalists East Point and Sebastopol just ONCE
• Highway travel (west) just ONCE after Rd7 - Lake Wendouree (Rd16)
• Meet only ONE of the 2019 Finalists in Ballarat (Redan Rd5)
• Were set to face FIVE Top 6 teams twice in the 2020 draw, but now meet only THREE in 2021

CONS:

• FOUR 'AWAY' games out of SIX rounds Rd5 - Rd10 up against Redan Rd5, North Ballarat Rd7, Sunbury Rd9, Melton Rd10.
• No easier HOME game either side of the four AWAY rounds with East Point in Rd4 and 2019 Grand Finalists Sebastopol in Rd11

Comment: 

The Cobras will be thrilled with their draw given the nightmare that was planned for them in 2020. Bacchus Marsh are not here to make up the numbers and consider themselves a legitimate top four chance with their new additions over the off season. The draw has absolutely improved their currency, but they're coming from a fair way back. Nonetheless, they'll be smiling at Cobra land.

Bacchus Marsh Football Netball Club is seeking expressions of interest for the roles of Senior Netball Coach for season 2021. Coaching roles are available for A and B Grade.

These positions come with the support of the club committee and plays a vital role in development of all Senior Netball players.

Key coaching objectives:

• Provide strong on and off court leadership to the playing group
• Play a lead role in player skills development with internal support.
• Establish a professional, positive and disciplined culture for all players and support staff in line with the club’s values, including promotion and further development of our ‘Our Club’ philosophy.
• Work cooperatively with the coaches of other grades to ensure a consistent approach to coaching is applied.

To be successful the applicant will need to demonstrate the following:

• Have a desire for team, personal and club success.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to lead and communicate to all players.
• A high level of organisational skills and positive attitude.
• Previous Senior Netball level coaching experience.
• Ability to engage with all club members and sponsors.

The successful applicant will also be required to abide by the Club and League Codes of Conduct.

Please submit your application highlighting qualifications and experience to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you have your queries, please contact Tegan Lafranchi on 0458 229 876.

The change in the junior football structure has been delayed in an effort to provide certainty and continuity to clubs, players and families.

The board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL has met recently and confirmed the junior age structure shall remain as an ‘odd’ structure for season 2022. 

To provide some certainty and continuity, the existing ‘odd’ structure will continue through 2021 and will allow for further assessment to be made based on the ever-changing world we live in 

After consideration of many aspects, not least of which is club feedback and registration data, the league believes it is in the best interest of the competition to delay the change of age groups until season 2023. 

When the decision was made to change the structure of juniors in the Ballarat FNL, COVID had not yet appeared in our daily lives and the disruption currently felt over the past two years was not envisaged by anyone. 

Junior football in 2022 shall consist of: 

• • Under 17 Senior / Reserves Football 
• • Under 15 Senior / Reserves Football 
• • Under 13 Senior / Reserves Football 
• • Under 11 Senior / Reserves Football 
• • Under 9 Senior / Reserves Football (Friday night competition) 

Further to the above, the Under 19’s shall remain as that grade in 2022. 

The board is committed to implementing a structure for junior football that will best cater for the growing demands of our competition and ensure the long-term viability of the Ballarat FNL Juniors moving forward.

End Release 

JUNIOR COACH TRAINING SESSION

Practical hands-on session for those coaching/supporting NetSetGO, 9&U, 11&U, 13&U. This is a non-accredited session designed to build an understanding of teaching skills and techniques to junior players in a fun and engaging way.
Sessions will run for 1.5 hours and all participants will receive resources via email after attending the session.

Sunday 26 February

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat

9am-11:30am

Free

Register here https://forms.gle/e6fE4ETwhBd4Cnxb9

DEVELOPMENT COACHING ACCREDITATION COURSE – Practical Component

Part 2 of the Development Coaching Course. Pre-requisites to attend - participants must hold a Foundation Coaching Accreditation, have completed the Development Coach Online Course and the Rules of Netball Exam.  Limited places.

Sunday 26 February

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat 

9am-1:30pm

$60

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#148

SUPPORTING YOUR CLUB UMPIRES – SESSION FOR UMPIRE COORDINATORS

Session for those coordinating and supporting club umpires.  This session is designed to provide information about creating a supportive environment for umpires with aim of developing and retaining umpires in our game. 

Sunday 26 February
11:45am-12:30pm

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/5HbkZjg5ah1MQ48KA

RULES DISCUSSION FOR BADGED UMPIRES (C Badge)

A development opportunity for umpires who have recently acquired their C Badge, and looking to continue to improve their umpiring skills and knowledge.

Sunday 26 February 

1pm-2pm

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/5HbkZjg5ah1MQ48KA

GAME AND MATCH MANAGEMENT – NEW WORKSHOP

Topics include providing umpires with improved understanding of the protocols relating to Section 13 of the Rules of Netball and the instances when they should be applied and aims to increase an umpires' confidence to apply the Game Management section in matches, and gain a better understanding of the difference between Match Management techniques and Game Management requirements, and how these can work together. 

Sunday 26 February

2pm-4pm

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat

$35

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

Junior Representative Netball comes to Ballarat next week as our BFNL rep teams host Colac at Ballarat High School on Monday.

Coming off a number of impressive performances across 2023 so far, all three BFNL Netball rep teams will be in play on Monday night.

Action for the Under 13 and 15 teams will get underway at 6:30pm before the Under 17s hit the court at 7:40pm.

All three games will take place at Ballarat High School against Colac.

Please find below important information for supporters and attendees to be aware of for this Sunday’s Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Final Day at MARS Stadium.

General Information

• MARS Stadium – Creswick Road, Wendouree VIC
• Sunday 11^th September 2022
• The Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Finals will be an Alcohol-Free event.

Match Schedule

Admission Fees

Junior Grand Final 2022

Adults - $12

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $26

Age Pensioner - $7

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Footy Record – $4 (Special Edition)

Note: Eftpos is available and encouraged as the preferred payment method.

Gates

Gates open at 6:45am

Grand Final Filming

All matches will be filmed. Matches will be available for purchase following the Grand Finals and further information will be provided around this in the coming weeks.

Live Scores

All matches will be live scored on the day for those that are unable to attend the match. Scores can be accessed through specific competitions on the BFNL public results pages here:

Football - https://bit.ly/3Q4H8gg

Netball - https://bit.ly/3KPteh6

Entry & Parking Information

Please see details and map below for assistance with entry & parking requirements this Sunday.

Entry to MARS Stadium:

• Gate 1 – Located on Creswick Road.
• Gate 2 - Beech Avenue – Located at Northern Oval 2 behind MARS Stadium. This entry is encouraged for those attending the Netball.

NO DOGS are permitted within the precinct this weekend.

Parking is available at the following locations:

General Parking:

• Creswick Road. No parking within concrete barriers stationed outside Gate 1.
• Around Northern Oval 2. MUST enter via Beech Avenue – Cars will NOT be able to move between the North Ballarat Sports Club Car Park & Northern Oval 2.
• STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB.

Disabled Parking:

• Designated disabled parking can be accessed through North Ballarat Sports Club Entry. Patrons must be always a disabled parking permit holder and display permit.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL has today received a recommendation from AFL Victoria, as announced through AFL Goldfields, that community football leagues and programs should postpone training and matches until May 31st.

The league welcomes and endorses this recommendation for our clubs, their members and players health and wellbeing.

In the interim, the board of the Ballarat FNL will work closely with AFL Goldfields and AFL Victoria over the coming weeks to determine the structure of the 2020 McDonald’s BFNL competitions.

With the abovementioned recommendation, the start of the 2020 McDonald’s BFNL season will be delayed until the end of May initially, with the league to reassess the situation at this time, based on the advice of health professionals and sporting bodies.

Affected by this announcement will include:

The Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to release the 2023 BFNL 9 & Under Netball fixture. Nine clubs will compete commencing Friday the 28th of April, 2023. Each club will host a Friday evening with all games being played at Ballarat High School indoor netball courts.

Competitions will run on Friday nights from April 28 for nine weeks. This competition focuses on development and participation.

The following clubs have entered teams in the BFNL 9 & Under netball program.

• Ballarat Swans
• East Point
• Lake Wendouree
• Mount Clear
• North Ballarat
• Redan
• Sebastopol
• Storm
• Woady Yaloak

There will be two game times with the first game commencing at 6pm followed by a 6.45pm game.

Ballarat High School will be running the canteen weekly for the BFNL 9 & Under netball program.

Round 1: Friday April 28, Ballarat High School

Host Club: Ballarat Swans

Games:
6pm Ballarat Swans v Storm
6pm Sebastopol v Mount Clear
6pm North Ballarat v East Point
6.45pm Redan v Lake Wendouree (1)
6.45pm Lake Wendouree (2) v Woady Yaloak

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL have today released details of how individual player points will be assessed for the 2021 season.

Based upon feedback provided to the CCSP sub-committee, the following protocols will be applied for the 2021 season across the region.

BFNL club Total Team Points for 2021 will be those as assessed for the 2020 season, each club’s total points being:

* Application being made to AFL Victoria to confirm additional points to a maximum 50 as per approved for 2020

For individual player points assessments:

• Any player that played with a community club and received a Season of Service deduction in 2019 and did not transfer or permit to another community club in 2020, may receive a 1 point reduction for 2020 as a season of service when assessing that Player’s Point value at that same Community Club prior to the 2021 Season.

This clause specifically refers to those players who were a multi-point player at the end of 2019 and remain with the club for 2021.

If clubs have retained players, it will free up points for additional recruiting for 2021. If they were at the top of their available points for 2020 through recruiting and they have retained these players then they will have the list which they deemed to be suitable for 2020.

The announcement today provides certainty to the leagues clubs who will now be able to plan for the upcoming McDonald’s BFNL senior premiership season.

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