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:
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.
North Ballarat
Goal Defence or Goal Keeper
28
St Joseph's (GFNL)
Doctor
Hiking, baking and my dog!
Captained Australian mixed team to Tran Tasman Championship and first A Grade Premiership with North Ballarat in 2022.
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
Sunbury Lions
20
WA
Melton South, Hawks (VNL)
Student
2019 VNL League Best & Fairest
Leisure Time & Holidaying
INSIDER: Welcome Simona, you won the League B&F last year - Congratulations! What did that mean to you and how did you feel upon realising you'd won?
SIMONA DI FILIPPO:It meant so much - it wasn't expected at all. It was a true reflection of how important the whole team model is to individual performance.
INSIDER: Sunbury are flying high at the top of the table, an area we've seen North Ballarat and Darley occupy more recently - tell us about the BFNL season so far?
SDF: I think we've improved - North Ballarat and Darley are still very strong. Our two new recruits have really added to our team.
INSIDER: What is Sunbury doing better than last year, where has the improvement come from?
SDF: Connection as players - our game plan is stronger on the back of continuity - more games together.
INSIDER: How does the BFNL competition hold up against other netball competitions you've played in?
SDF:It's pretty strong, more physical than most, so a tick in that regard for sure.
INSIDER: If you could change one thing about the BFNL Netball season for the better, what would it be?
SDF:Play indoors!
INSIDER: We know about Tayla Honey and her ability - tell us something about her game we don't know..
SDF:Tayla's defensive pressure, in her role as Centre can go under the radar.
INSIDER: Name the #1 non-negotiable we would expect coach Kim Bailey to write first on the white board?
SDF:Do your job and have fun doing it!
INSIDER: Who is the most under rated player at the club?
SDF:Ruth Smith
INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no netball?
SDF:AFLW I reckon, I'd be happy to have a crack at that!
INSIDER: In a freakish sense, which player at the club can do things on-court that others can't?
SDF:Eliza Gollant - ridiculous interceptor
INSIDER: Are you a netball head? Rank yourself out of 10, tell us how you consume your netball over a week?
SDF:8/10 - training, application, preparation - time spent more so on my game. I'm playing two games a week.
INSIDER: Who is the quickest in the team over 10m?
SDF:Can I say me lol? I think I have them covered!
INSIDER: What is your favorite court to play on away from Sunbury?
SDF:Royal Park
INSIDER: Who is your favorite netball person at the club?
SDF:Red - (Lindsay Jones)
INSIDER: Invite 5 of favorite celebs to the Dinner table - take your pick..
SDF:Margot Robbie, Jennifer Anniston, Adam Sandler, Leonardo Di Caprio, Cameron Diaz.
INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?
SDF:Schnitzel with vegetables!
INSIDER: What tv series would you recommend for us this Winter?
SDF:Summer House (Hayu)
INSIDER: Which one of the following most relates to you - Reader, viewer, gamer, commentator, raver?
SDF:Viewer
INSIDER: Who from the playing group would most likely win a million dollars on a quiz show?
SDF: Tayla Honey
INSIDER: Who is the last person you would like to share a room with on a Netball trip away?
SDF:Lani Fauonuku
INSIDER: Do any of the girls have annoying habits or superstitions they repeat before matches?
SDF:Elly Randall - Tiger Balm application - she knows I hate the smell of cinnamon!
INSIDER; Are you guilty of being a part of the Taylor Swift movement? Are you a Swifty?
SDF:DEFINITELY NOT!
INSIDER: Who is your number one netball critic?
SDF:My Dad - emphatically!
INSIDER: Favorite Suncorp Netball club and player?
SDF:West Coast Fever, Kelsie Brown (West Coast Fever)
INSIDER: Biggest threat to Sunbury winning the title?
SDF:Darley
INSIDER: If you could have two players from other BFNL clubs join Sunbury who would you recruit?
SDF:Matilda Elliot (Darley), Shannon Blackman (North Ballarat)
C
WA
Sunbury
Centre/Wing Attack
25
Geelong Cougars, Victorian Fury, Melbourne Vixens
Law Student
Reading, Brunch, Hanging out with Mates
Vixens Premiership 2020, Vic Fury Premiership 2016.
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.
Draw rating points: 97
2021 draw ranking: #2
Play TWICE: Sunbury, Melton South, North Ballarat, Lake Wendouree, Darley, Redan
Travel WEST: FOUR times - Ballarat (Rd1), Redan (Rd5), North Ballarat (Rd7), Lake Wendouree (Rd16)
WEST 'highway travel' record (2018 & 2019 home and away seasons): Played 9 Won 2 Lost 7 @22% win rate
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:
To be successful the applicant will need to demonstrate the following:
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
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
