We would like to congratulate the following athletes who have been selected to represent the Ballarat Football Netball League in their respective teams. 

The BFNL Representative Teams will participate in the 2026 Association Championships.

Netball Victoria's Association Championships provide more than 180 Victorian associations and leagues the opportunity to compete in a crucial part of the Netball Victoria pathway, with talent ID opportunities for athletes, umpires and coaches at all tournament days across the state. 

Congratulations to all players and coaches who will be representing the Ballarat Football Netball League in the 2026 Representative Netball Teams.

2026 Coaching Mentor 

Prue Douglass

13 & Under Squad

Coach: Kyra Miller

Coach: Kirsty Romsey

15 & Under Development Team

Coach: Dail Hilton
 

15 & Under Championship Team

Coach: Kirsty Mclean

17 & Under Championship Team

Coach: Josh Wells

Assistant Coach: Marcelle Geljon

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League is excited to announce details of the 2026 Carlton Draught Grand Finals, to be held at City Oval on Saturday, 19 September.

The Ballarat Football Netball League is excited to invite clubs from the BFNL as well as neighbouring regions (Associations and Leagues) to express their interest in participating in our 2026 Senior Netball Tournament, to be held on Saturday, 21st March 2026.

This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for clubs to enjoy quality pre-season match play and test combinations ahead of the 2026 season.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, 21st March 2026
• Location: TBA – tournament will be in Ballarat
• Divisions: Division 1 & Division 2 (clubs may enter up to two teams)
• Entry Fee: $200 per team
• Umpires: Each team must supply one umpire
• Prizes: Money prizes awarded to the Division 1 and Division 2 winners

The tournament promises to be a fun, competitive, and well-organised day of netball, bringing together clubs from across the region to kick off the season in style.

To register your club’s interest, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday, 31st January 2026

Clinic 1: Unbadged to C Badge
This clinic is perfect for anyone looking to work towards becoming a “badged” umpire. It’s a great opportunity to build your confidence on the court, develop essential umpiring skills, and enhance your game knowledge. Whether you're new to umpiring or have some experience, this clinic will set you up for success in your umpiring journey.

Clinic 2: C Badge to B Badge
For current C Grade umpires or those looking to progress towards a B Grade accreditation, this clinic is for you. Focused on strengthening confidence, improving rule understanding, and sharpening umpiring skills, this clinic will help you take your umpiring to the next level.

Clinic Details

• Date: 15th February 2026

• Time:

  • Clinic 1 (Unbadged to C Badge): 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Clinic 2 (C Badge to B Badge): 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Location: Saxon House & City Oval Netball Courts, Ballarat.

• Cost: $90 + GST (Includes whistle, participant pack, and on-court mentoring)

This is an amazing opportunity to be “Umpire Ready” leading into the new season, whether you are just starting or are looking to refine your skills.

Anyone is welcome to attend the clinics, simply choose the one that best suits your needs.

The A Grade season gets underway in blockbuster fashion this Good Friday on the 3^rd of April 2026, with East Point Netball Club hosting Bacchus Marsh Netball Club at Eastern Oval from 2:30pm.

These two sides built a tight rivalry across 2025, with Bacchus Marsh getting the upper hand on both occasions.

They claimed a 6-goal win in their first meeting before backing it up in Round 14 with a narrow 3-goal victory.

With margins that slim, expect another fiercely contested battle to open the 2026 campaign.

East Point will be eager to turn the tables on their home court, led by shooting combination Keele Hillas (GS) and Jeremi Robinson (GA).

Through the midcourt, Bridey McElligott (WA) and Rhiannon White (C) will look to provide strong drive and connection, while Bella Stevens (WD), Sarah Augustine (GD) and Stella Geljon (GK) form a defensive unit ready to apply pressure from the first whistle.

They’ll have depth to call on from the bench with Lily McGuinness, Abby Kinnersly and Tess Geljon.

Bacchus Marsh, however, will arrive full of confidence following last season’s results.

Their attacking end features Kimberly Philipps (GS) and Jasmine Paama (GA), supported by experienced midcourters Melissa Prismall (WA) and Eliza Moodie (C).

Defensively, Ella Logan (WD), Georgia Shattock (GD) and Avana Hobson (GK) will be tasked with shutting down East Point’s scoring opportunities, with Remy Day and Jaimee Walsh providing options off the bench.

Off the court, there are strong storylines developing in the coaching ranks.

Bacchus Marsh will again be guided by Nicole Gleeson in her second season at the helm, bringing continuity and confidence into the new year.

Meanwhile, East Point enters an exciting new chapter, with Kirsty McLean in her second year now joined by Josh Wells, who steps into his first season at the Club as Co-Coach of the A Grade side.

With both sides boasting strong line-ups, experienced coaching and recent history suggesting nothing will separate them easily, this Good Friday clash shapes as a must-watch to kick off the A Grade season.

The BFNL celebrated its night of nights as we crowned all the amazing achievements of our footballers and netballers from the 2026 season.

See below for a full list of winners and recipients from the night.

Henderson Medal - Senior Football Best and Fairest

Felix Henderson (Sebastopol FNC) - 24 votes

McLean Medal - A Grade Netball Best and Fairest

Alice Kain (Sebastopol FNC) - 22 votes

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) Board is pleased to announce the 2026 BFNL Senior Fixture.

The League will once again deliver a full 18-round home-and-away season, followed by an exciting
finals series set to showcase the region’s top football and netball talent.

The 2026 season will open with a Good Friday showcase, headlined by East Point and Bacchus Marsh.

Round 1 will commence on Saturday 11 April, featuring local derbies between all Ballarat-based clubs, while the Eastern block teams will also face off in a major early-season highlight.

ANZAC Day will be strongly represented in Round 3, with several twilight matches scheduled to
commemorate the occasion.

Sunday football will also return in 2026, with four clubs linking senior matches with their junior programs.

Themed rounds remain a major feature of the BFNL calendar.

Wellness Round—spanning two weeks—returns to provide clubs the opportunity to promote and support causes important to their communities.

Sir Doug Nicholls Round and the Ronald McDonald House Charity Round will also return,
reinforcing the League’s commitment to celebration, inclusion and community connection.

Interleague football and netball will take centre stage during the first league-wide bye, with BFNL Under 23 Football and Netball, Under 18 Girls, and Under 18 Boys travelling to Hampden for the annual representative competition.

A second full-competition bye will occur during the middle week of school holidays.

After a thrilling 2025 season full of high-quality competition, the BFNL is excited for what 2026 will
bring.

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.

The Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) is pleased to announce that AFL Victoria has formally approved the transfer of the Gisborne Football Netball Club from the Bendigo Football Netball League to the Ballarat Football Netball League, effective from the commencement of the 2027 season.

The approval follows the completion of the transfer process in accordance with the AFL Victoria Community Affiliate Regulations.

The BFNL submitted its Intention to Accept application on 30 June 2026, with AFL Victoria confirming that the Bendigo Football Netball League did not lodge an objection to the proposed transfer.

The addition of Gisborne Football Netball Club marks an exciting milestone for the BFNL and reflects the continued strength and growth of community football and netball across the region.

BFNL General Manager Gemma Murphy said the League was pleased to have the process formally completed.

"We welcome Gisborne Football Netball Club to the Ballarat Football Netball League and look forward to them joining our competition in 2027," Murphy said.

"Throughout this process, our focus has been on following the appropriate governance framework and ensuring all requirements under the AFL Victoria Community Affiliate Regulations were met. We appreciate the cooperation of AFL Victoria and the Bendigo Football Netball League in facilitating the process."

The BFNL also acknowledges the support of its member clubs, who voted in favour of Gisborne Football Netball Club joining the League at a Special General Meeting earlier this month. Gisborne Football Netball Club will commence competition in the Ballarat Football Netball League across football and netball from the 2027 season.

The BFNL looks forward to working closely with Gisborne Football Netball Club over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition into the League and to continuing to provide a strong, sustainable and competitive football and netball competition for all member clubs

At The Bar

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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

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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)

At The Bar

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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