The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League wish to confirm some changes to junior grades in the lead up to the season.
The board received notification that Sebastopol will be fielding one side in the under 15’s, with this team being positioned in the Reserve Grade for the 2023 season. Mount Clear will also only field one side in the under 17 age group, with this team being positioned in the Senior Grade.
Sebastopol FNC have flagged a shortage in this grade since February with the club and league working to boost numbers to compete in two grades for 2023. Unfortunately, the club have not been able to secure the number of players required.
It was determined by the board that the current registered team will compete in the Reserve grade competition based off the list, past season results and player grades across multiple seasons.
Mount Clear FNC also flagged a shortage of players in their under 17 age group with the club exhausting all avenues to secure the additional 10 players to compete in both Seniors and Juniors.
Whilst the club has room for more than 10, this was the number set to be able to comfortably play and top up with additional 15 age group players.
The BFNL will work with the clubs to ensure sustained long-term viability in player numbers across all grades with a focus on filling grades in 2024.
Fixtures for the under 15 Seniors and 17 Reserves will be amended this week and promoted online as quickly as possible. Sebastopol and Mount Clear play each other in round 1 commencing Sunday 23rd of April, 2023 so internal changes will occur for this matchup with the full season promoted correctly from round 2.
