The McDonald's Ballarat FNL welcomes today's easing of restrictions that will allow senior football and netball to return to competition.

With crowd limits increased in regional Victoria to a maximum of 1,000 people, the last requirement to allow competition to return has been met.

As two rounds have been lost due to restrictions, the McDonald's BFNL senior competition will have a slightly different look and flow to the previous fixture published.

The senior football and netball fixture will be revised as follows:

• Rounds 1 to 6 will stand
• Rounds 7 and 8 will be played the next 2 weeks 19th June (Rd 7) and 26th June (Rd 8)
• Round 11 will be played as per the fixtured date (3rd July)
• Rounds 9 and 10 will be played the following two weeks 10th July (Rd 9) and 17th July (Rd10)
  - Rounds 12 and 13 from the original fixture will be the two rounds abandoned
• Rounds 14 to 18 will be as per the fixtured dates

The priority for the league has been to ensure all clubs play each other at least once, which is the minimum requirement to ensure a premiership season and will be achieved through the completion of round 10 scheduled for 17th July.

The revised game schedule ensures fixture integrity through all clubs having seven home and away games, along with two byes.

Looking forward, we wait for further announcements from the government that will allow crowds for metro-based BFNL clubs scheduled to host games in round eight.

This weekend will see the full Ballarat FNL competitions in action across BFNL seniors, BFNL juniors and BFLW. Western Bulldogs Under 9’s will resume this Friday night after a short break as well.

END RELEASE

The board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL has today considered the announcement from the state government to extend the metro lockdown and the impact this has on the senior competition. 

Given the lockdown has been extended at this stage until midnight on Thursday 19thAugust 2021, it has been determined the final round of the home & away (round 14) scheduled for Saturday 21stAugust will be cancelled and not proceed.

This action will result in the 2021 Home & Away season now being completed. 

Ladder positions will be final as per the current results, which provide a true reflection of the competition given all clubs have played each other once. 

The 2021 Carlton Draught Senior Finals series is still planned to commence from Saturday 28thAugust, dependant on updates from the government as this date nears. 

The league will continue to show flexibility to ensure all finals can be played where possible with all clubs who have earned the right to participate given the opportunity. 

Further advice and details around finals structure and planning will be provided in due course, but clubs eligible for finals are asked to prepare for the series to commence as of the date advised. 

Details of the junior and BFLW finals series are being considered separately and will be advised at the completion of this weekend's games. 

END RELEASE 

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 McDonald’s Ballarat FNL wishes to acknowledge an error in the voting for the Under 15 Senior Football Best & Fairest.

The League wishes to advise of an error in the results of the Under 15 Senior Best & Fairest Award.

Following an error in the collation of votes for the Round 11 match between East Point & Darley, a recalculation of the votes has seen a change in the final leader board.

As a result, East Point’s Harry Charleson and Darley’s Mitchell Gardiner both finished on a revised total of 17 votes, equalling runner up Jacob Britt from East Point.

The league apologies for the error in counting and wishes to acknowledge both Harry and Mitchell for their outstanding 2021 seasons.

Harry played 10 games this season, including a further 5 in the Under 17 Reserves to assist with playing numbers throughout the year. Averaging over a goal a game. Harry’s season included four Best on Ground performances as adjudged by the umpires and appeared in his club’s best players on all but one occasion.

Mitchell’s season for Darley was equally as impressive, booting 17 goals for the season. Mitchell was named Best on Ground for the Ballarat FNL Under 15 interleague match against Bendigo in June. Four Best on Ground performances was also a highlight of Mitchell's consistent season.

Updated award info and club by club votes can be found below.

Award winners from the night are as follows:

Buxton Ballarat Junior Football Goal Kicking Awards

2021 McDonald's Ballarat Under 13 Seniors

• Murphy Skinner (Ballarat Storm Junior Football Club) 26        

2021 GJ Gardner Under 15 Seniors

• Jayven Tanner (Darley Football Club) 29

2021 McCafe Under 17 Seniors

• Isaac Hucker (Mount Clear Junior Football Club) 38
• Joel Freeman (Bacchus Marsh Football & Netball Club Inc) 38

13 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest

Runner Up: Jemima Knobel (Ballarat Swans) - 17 votes   

Winner: Ebony Porter (North Ballarat) - 20 votes 

Under 13 Football Best & Fairest – The Lloyd Sims Trophy

Runners Up: Cole Hutchinson (Mount Clear) & Cooper Beseler (North Ballarat) - 15 votes       

Winner: Armi Wakefield (Bacchus Marsh) - 22 votes 

15 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest

Runners Up: Matilda Myers (Redan) & Arna Howard (Ballarat Swans) - 18 votes   

Winners: Bridie Shanahan (Darley) & Maddison Lewis (Sebastopol) - 19 votes

Under 15 Football Best & Fairest – The Keith Rawle Memorial Trophy

Runner Up: Jacob Britt (East Point), Harry Charleson (East Point) & Mitchell Gardiner (Darley) - 17 votes         

Winner: Jonty Faull (Redan) - 21 votes 

Coordinator of The Year Awards

Junior Football Coordinator of The Year: James Bik - Ballarat Swans JFNC

Junior Netball Coordinator of The Year Award: Alissa Harris - Darley JFNC

Coach of The Year Awards

Junior Football Coach of the Year Award: Brett Dean – Sebastopol JFNC

Junior Netball Coach of the Year Award: Leah McDonald – Redan JFNC

Ballarat FL Interleague Coach Recognition

Football Interleague Coaches

• U/13 Coach – Scott Petrie & Simon Geljon
• U/14 Coach – Michael Dwyer & Tom Molan
• U/15 Coach – Tim Beacham
• U/16.5 Coach – Wayne McKercher

Netball Interleague Coaches

• 13 & Under Coach – Courtney McLean and Kara Hart
• 15 & Under Coach – Katie Keighrey
• 17 & Under Coach – Prue Douglass, Damien Mullane and Debra Hutchinson

Merv & Mary Howard Memorial Junior Club Championship

3^rd: Redan JFNC - 189 points 

2^nd: North Ballarat JFNC - 190 points

Winner: East Point JFNC - 195 points

Special Presentation to Junior Footballers & Netballers

• 17 & Under Netball Victorian State Team Member – Adut Manyiel (Sebastopol FNC)
• Under 17 Victoria Country Football Squad Member – Felix Fogaty (East Point JFNC)
• Under 12 Victorian Metro State Team – Oliver Cape (Darley JFNC)

17 & Under Senior Netball B & F

Runner Up: Arlee Bennett (North Ballarat) - 18 votes       

Winner: Bella Clark (Lake Wendouree) - 22 votes 

Under 17 Senior Football Best & Fairest - The Gordon Wise Memorial Trophy

Runner Up: Jack Jeffrey (East Point) - 15 votes      

Winner: Ethan McKercher (Bacchus Marsh) - 25 votes 

Robert Allan Medals and Netball MVP Awards

13 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award

Winner: Ebony Porter (North Ballarat) – 11 Votes

Under 13 Senior Robert Allan Medal

Winner: Riley Hiscock (East Point) – 19 Votes

15 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award

Winner: Chelsea Oellering (Mount Clear) – 7 Votes

Under 15 Senior Robert Allan Medal

Winner: Samuel Lalor (Bacchus Marsh) – 15 Votes

17 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award

Winner: Bella Clark (Lake Wendouree) – 16 Votes

Under 17 Senior Robert Allan Medal

Winner: Joel Freeman (Bacchus Marsh) – 15 Votes

A full list of club votes - including the updated U15 Senior Football vote tables - can be found attached.

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.