News

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL have tonight confirmed the Western Bulldogs Under 9 competition will not proceed in 2020.

With the current uncertainty around the various aspects of conducting competition sport, the member clubs of the BFNL have unanimously agreed to cancel this season in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the players, their families and club volunteers.

The Western Bulldogs Under 9’s commenced in 2019 with great success and had intended to see the new Woady Yalloak Warriors enter in 2020 to create a nine team competition.

BFNL Manager Shane Anwyl            

“We are disappointed to have to make this decision, but ultimately the safety, health and wellbeing of our players and their families must take precedence during these times”.

“With over 400 players, their family members and volunteers in attendance each Friday night, it is felt that it is not currently practical, or safe to have these numbers attending football”

The Ballarat FNL would like to thank the Western Bulldogs for their ongoing support of the Under 9’s and look forward to Friday night football in season 2021.

With further information expected from AFL Victoria, Netball Victoria and the state government over the coming weeks, the league has set a deadline of June 26^th by which time a final decision will be made as to the commencement or cancellation of the 2020 season for all other grades of junior football and netball.

A special general meeting of the Ballarat FNL member clubs was held last night to address two issues, one of those being a motion to admit the Woady Yallock FNC as an affiliated member club of the league.

The motion to admit Woady Yallock FNC failed as it did not reach the required 75% of votes to pass with a number of clubs not supporting the inclusion.

The board of the BFNL is disappointed in this outcome and endorses the inclusion of the club in the BFNL junior competition and fully support Woady Yallock FNC to be a member club of the league.

A period of growth is being experienced by the league and the need to increase capacity identified as reaching a critical point in the near future.

Woady Yallock FNC have presented a comprehensive plan for sustainability and integration within the BFNL and are to be congratulated on their foresight in planning to meet the needs of the league.

The admittance of Woady Yallock FNC will be to compliment the existing clubs of the league, provide new competition and to provide an avenue for participants in the Ballarat West growth corridor long term.

The board of the Ballarat FNL will continue to work with the Woady Yallock FNC community on facilitating competing in the Western Bulldogs Under 9’s and Under 11 reserves junior football in 2022.

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.

In line with the AFL stance, the BFUA will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to umpire abuse, disrespect and dissent across all grades of the McDonald's Ballarat Football Netball League.

In line with the AFL’s strict stance against umpire abuse, the BFUA will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to umpire abuse, disrespect, and dissent from the 2022 season onwards.

Players, coaches, and officials who abuse umpires, dispute decisions or behave in a disrespectful manner towards umpires will be penalised by way of free kicks, 50m penalties, send-offs and reports.

This stance will be adopted across all grades.

Umpires have been instructed to apply a strict interpretation of the rules surrounding umpire abuse and these rules apply to abuse or disrespect towards or in relation to any umpire – field, boundary or goal.

The best policy is to remove your focus away from the umpires to avoid exchanges that could potentially cost your side. As always, umpires are happy to discuss rules or decisions, and we welcome opportunities to engage constructively.

We appreciate the support of club leaders, namely coaches and captains, who have a huge degree of influence in this space.

This change enables us to create a better match-day environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the league.