Junior Interleague

Junior representative football returns this weekend with the Ballarat Football Netball League to play the Bendigo Junior Football League on Saturday for the 2023 La Trobe University Goldfields Trophy.

Games will take place in Bendigo at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve wth seven interleague sides set to represent the BFNL. 

Both junior boys and girls will be running out Saturday with three sides comprising of under 14s, under 16s and under 18s representing the girls.

Four junior boys teams will be playing in the under 13, under 14, under 15 and under 16 grades.

FIXTURES

Under 14 Girls v Bendigo - 11:30am, Oval 2

Under 16 Girls v Bendigo - 1pm, Oval 2

Under 18 Girls v Bendigo - 1:25pm, Oval 1

Under 13 Boys v Bendigo - 10am, Oval 2

Under 14 Boys v Bendigo - 9:45am, Oval 1

Under 15 Boys v Bendigo - 11:35am, Oval 1

Under 16 Boys v Bendigo - 2:50pm, Oval 1

SQUADS

Under 14 Girls

Under 16 Girls 

Under 18 Girls

Under 13 Boys 

Under 14 Boys

Under 15 Boys

Under 16 Boys

The McDonalds Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the appointed coaches for the 2025 junior interleague representative sides.

Coaches

Under 13 Boys – Justin Watkins
Under 14 Boys – Dale Power
Under 15 Boys – Mark Gillespie
Under 17 Boys – Scott Petrie
Under 14 Girls – Cameron Bennett
Under 16 Girls – Mark Ashmore
Under 19 Girls – Rebecca Phillips

Coaches will conduct a comprehensive trial and training program over a 6–8 week period, working
closely with players before selecting final squads to compete in the interleague matches.

These experienced coaches will lead BFNL and BFLW representative teams into interleague
competition against Bendigo FNL and Hampden FNL on Saturday, July 5th.

Registrations to trial are NOW OPEN to all eligible players and will close on Sunday, May 4th.

The Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) is excited to announce that applications for coaching positions for the BFNL and BFLW Football Interleague teams are now open for the 2025 season.

As the BFNL continues to grow its Football Interleague program, we are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to lead our teams. Applications are welcomed for:

• Under 13 Boys
• Under 14 Boys
• Under 15 Boys
• Under 17 Boys
• Under 14 Girls
• Under 16 Girls
• Under 19 Girls

Key Dates

• Applications close: Wednesday 19th March 2025
• Games to take place Saturday 5^th of July

Those interested in applying are encouraged to fill out the application form via https://forms.gle/QooxvigJsGfzi5CU8

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact:

BFNL – Tayla Banham: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BFLW – Clare Burnett: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The BFNL are proud to introduce our BFNL Junior Representative Netball Teams for 2025 with a huge congratulations to all players and coaches selected.

The 2025 Association Championships will be held in Warrnambool on the 1^st of June. 

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.

We trust all our players and coaches will work hard over the coming months to prepare for the 2025 Association Championships and proudly represent the BFNL.

Find the full squads below:

13 & Under Development Team

Coach: Tina Wilkie 

13 & Under Championship Team

Coach: Angelene Nunn

15 & Under Development Team

Coach: Marcelle Geljon

15 & Under Championship Team

Coach: Kirsty Mclean

15 & Under Training Partners

Sienna Goonan - Mt Clear

Annabelle Ford - Redan

17 & Under Championship Team

Coach: Kyra Miller

The Ballarat Football Netball League is excited to open self-nominations for the 2026 Female Interleague Program for all three grades - Under 15 Girls, Under 18 Girls and Senior Women.

This is a fantastic opportunity for players to represent the league, develop their skills, and compete against strong regional opposition.

2026 Match Schedule

2026 Interleague Coaches

Program Costs

The Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the appointed coaches for the 2026 Interleague representative program.

Under 15 Girls – Cam Bennett & Alex Oldaker

Cam Bennett has coached the East Point Dragons U14 program across 2024–2025 and led the 2025 U14 Girls Interleague side. He also served as an assistant with the GWV Rebels U15 V/Line Cup program and in 2026 will step into the East Point U16 Girls head coach role while continuing to assist the GWV Rebels. Cam brings strong pathway and talent development experience.

Alex Oldaker was assistant coach of the 2025 U16 Girls Interleague team and previously coached the Ballarat Swans U12 Girls in 2024. She has also coached school football at Ballarat High and is building further pathway experience through involvement with the GWV Rebels U16 program.

Under 18 Girls – Tim Meaney

Tim Meaney is the Senior Women’s Coach and Female Football Director of Coaching at the Redan Football Club. He has extensive experience across junior and senior programs over two decades, including interleague support roles and a strong history in player development, mentoring and female football pathways.

Women – Danyel Waters

Danyel Waters is the newly appointed Senior Women’s Coach at the Darley FNC in 2026 and an assistant coach with the Calder Cannons U16 Girls. She previously coached in the Coates Talent League U18 Girls program, led the Essendon Pathways Academy, and coached multiple EDFL interleague teams. Danyel brings elite pathway experience and a proven record in developing talented female footballers.

Under 13 Boys – Adam Ridley

Adam Ridley has coached junior football in Ballarat for six years, leading premiership teams in 2024 and 2025 (U13 and U14). He also has three years’ experience as a senior assistant coach and will continue in that role in 2026. Adam is known for building strong team environments and consistent on-field success.

Under 14 Boys – Justin Watkins

Justin Watkins has coached with the Darley Junior Football Club since 2016, working across all age groups from U10 to U16. In 2025 he was head coach of the BFL U13 Boys Interleague team. Justin offers broad junior development experience and a strong understanding of the local talent pool.

Under 15 Boys – Aaron Harnden

Aaron Harnden is the 2026 Bacchus Marsh U14 Senior Coach after leading the U14 Reserves in 2025, and served as assistant coach of the 2025 BFNL U15 Interleague team. He is a player-centred coach focused on adaptability, role education and high-performance standards, with strong experience in both development and representative football environments.

Under 17 Boys – Scott Petrie

Scott Petrie returns as Under 17 Interleague Coach for 2026, continuing his strong involvement in the BFNL representative pathway. He previously served as an Assistant Coach with the AFL Goldfields Academy from 2019–2021 and has coached progressively through the BFNL interleague age groups since starting at Under 13 level in 2021. Scott has led the Under 17 program for the past two seasons and is recognised for his focus on player development, game education and building a strong team-first culture.

The BFNL is excited to deliver the 2026 Interleague program as a key performance pathway for local footballers, providing selected players with the opportunity to represent the league and showcase their talent in a high-performance environment.

Player nominations via their home clubs will open shortly, with invited athletes to attend squad training.

Training is scheduled to commence across March and April for those selected in initial squads.

Successful players will represent the BFNL on the following dates.

Saturday 23 May

Under 17 Boys & Under 18 Girls

Saturday 4 July

Under 13, Under 14 & Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls, Under 18 Girls & Women