The McDonalds Ballarat FNL wishes to make the following update regarding the second week of the 2023 BFNL Junior Finals Competition
Following the 17 Seniors Elimination Final 1 held at CE Brown Reserve between North Ballarat and Darley, the league was notified of a possible ineligible player who had not played the minimum number of games to qualify for finals in Under 17 Seniors.
Upon review it was deemed that the player in question had played 1 less game than the required amount to qualify them for 17 Seniors.
Under the BFNL By-Laws for junior finals eligibility it states on page 17 of the General Bylaws:
“A player must play in at least three matches in a grade to be eligible to play in the final series in that grade, except in the following cases:
i. Where an Underage player is selected to play in an open age side (Seniors or Reserves)
ii. Where a registered Junior player is selected to play in the Under 19 or any open age side
iii. Where a registered junior player is selected to play in a higher age group on the BFNL Competition Hierarchy (e.g., Under 15 players playing Under 17). This is not to be at the expense of a registered and available player in that age group.”
The board confirmed that the North Ballarat Football Netball Club had breached the above and have forfeited the win. This would progress Darley 17 Seniors into the second round of finals to play Redan FNC.
North Ballarat lodged details with AFL Victoria to request an appeal into the decision on Tuesday 29th of August. AFL Victoria confirmed that the request would not be referred to the Region Appeal Committee.
AFL Victoria mentioned in their response that they “are supportive of the position of the Ballarat Football Netball League Board in that their local by-laws have been applied.”
The league would like to advise all clubs that this decision has been finalised, Redan will play Darley in the 17 Seniors on Sunday 3rd of September at CE Brown Reserve.
