The McDonalds Ballarat FNL today announces a number of changes to the 2021 season based upon the recently announced COVID lockdown.
The health and safety of the wider BFNL community is of the utmost importance in any decision that is made regarding competitions, along with the advice provided by health authorities, state government and AFL Victoria.
Given today's announcement, the league wishes to advise the following impacts upon the various competitions:
SENIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL
- The Round Seven matches scheduled for 29th May 2021 will be abandoned.
- No points or percentage shall be awarded to any team.
- Points previously allocated for a bye will be removed, with no further points awarded for future scheduled byes to ensure ladder integrity.
- The possibility of shifting Round Seven to the Queen's Birthday weekend will be investigated pending discussions with clubs.
JUNIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL
- The Round Seven matches scheduled for 30th May 2021 will be abandoned.
- No points or percentage shall be awarded to any team.
- Points previously allocated for a bye will be removed, with no further points awarded for future scheduled byes to ensure ladder integrity.
BFLWomens
- The Round Five matches scheduled for 28th - 30th May 2021 will be abandoned.
- No points or percentage shall be awarded to any team.
- Points previously allocated for a bye will be removed, with no further points awarded for future scheduled byes to ensure ladder integrity.
It is anticipated all competitions will resume fixtured games from the weekend of 5th June 2021, pending the ongoing advice from health authorities.
The league would like to thank all our volunteers, officials and players for the tremendous work undertaken to date to ensure the various competitions of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL can be played for our communities.
Further advice and updates will be made available directly to clubs as they come to hand. The league website and social media will also have updates as they are made.
FAQ's
Not at this stage, pending further advice from health authorities as to the ongoing restrictions. The league will consult with clubs for feedback prior to a decision being made.
The only option available would be to hold the games across the Queen's Birthday weekend.
No points or percentage shall be awarded to any teams for this weekend's round of games. The scheduled games will be removed from the fixture to avoid any ongoing impact on the ladder in future rounds.
If no points are awarded for an abandoned round, this creates inequality with the 'bye' team gaining four points. To provide equality and integrity for the ladder, previously awarded points will be removed and no further points awarded in future games for a bye.
Feedback received has indicated a greater impact on player availability across Queen's Birthday weekend should the game be rescheduled. It is, therefore, felt that the rounds for junior football and netball, along with BFLW, will be abandoned without further catch-up.
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